Topic: 69 Deluxe steering wheel pad resto ??

[Wills70]

Hi , I have a 3 spoke Deluxe pad that needs restoration - everything needs a good cleaning and fresh coat of paint . Center rubber piece has come loose and needs to be glued back down . I was able to pull this rubber pieces off over the 3 metal cups on each spoke of the wheel ,  but don't think I can get it back on over the cups .  It would be nice to remove the 9 little cups to separate the other 2 plates to clean and paint. The factory originally heated and melt formed a head on the plastic inserts in these cups that holds everything together , What is the best way to remove these and reinstall these? Grind off head and just glue  back in?  I bought SEMS satin black  paint for vinyl and plastic, but need a silver paint for back plate- and a good glue - recommendations?   Looking for tips and advice.
Thanks Will   

[tobkob]

 I thought about epoxy but thought I'd try hot glue first and it's still holding nearly 3 yrs later.

TOB

[jwc66k]

I used Duro Super Glue on the arms of the chair I sitting in right now. They are vinyl covered dense foam, similar to the wheel pad. I wasn't too neat in the application, but after three (or four) years of daily wear and tear, the repairs have held. One thing about super glue, don't get any on your fingers, unless you have a designated driver to get you to the ER to cut your fingers apart.
Jim

[tobkob]

I used Duro Super Glue on the arms of the chair I sitting in right now. They are vinyl covered dense foam, similar to the wheel pad.

What the OP is asking about isn't the foam pad but the hard plastic cups (plastic to plastic).
TOB

[Wills70]

Thanks for the replies , I am referring to the plastic buttons to the plastic plate as well as the rubber pad being glued to the plastic plate . Now to find a silver paint - went to Oreilles and they had 4 or 5 shades of silver pant Duplicolor - need to find out if it is good for plastic
Thanks Will

[Dirk Pitt]

The repro top pad assembly (from NPD and others: https://www.npdlink.com/store/products/top_pad_assy_rim_blow_wheel_horn-148943-0.html) is darn close to original.  In many cases the textured finish of the one's top pad assembly is worn down/off.  You're top pad assembly would have to be very good to excellent to be worth the time/effort/frustration of refinishing.  I'd consider purchasing a repro top pad assembly and using that.

The repro base pad assembly isn't anywhere close to original and you'll probably need to try and save/restore your original there.

[Wills70]

You are correct Dirk , the center rubber pad does show some signs of wear - grain not as crisp, but not to bad. The foam pad is in nice condition. I just like the thought of using Ford OEM pieces
Thanks Will

[Dirk Pitt]

You might try calling NPD and asking if they can get the center buttons for you (the black buttons) from their supplier.  I've had some success with them in the past on select items where I only wanted individual parts from complete assemblies.

I use a solder iron with a very wide tip to melt the plastic (flatten) to reproduce the original approach to fastening.

I also like to use original Ford whenever possible so I appreciate your efforts.  Good luck!