Small details...

Post by **psjorge** » Thu Oct 02, 2008 4:01 pm

Hi,

I've just recieved today an original early Series II steering wheel that I bought from ESM. It looks great but I was a bit surprised with the shade of gold... I thought it was a lighter shade....

This is especially important due to the fact that I should paint the steering column and the dashboard with the same colour in order to keep it original.

I know I could buy an aerosol and check this for sure but, due to the fact that pressurized goods cannot be transported by plane, it makes it a bit cumbersome to order and arrange for a land transportation... just for a 400 ml can!

Can someone provide me with a paint code number that I could check in a local paint shop?

Thanks,
Pedro

Post by **bmcecosse** » Thu Oct 02, 2008 5:31 pm

Surely local shops have cans of spray paint! I saw plenty when I was on hols in Portugal!

Post by **psjorge** » Thu Oct 02, 2008 5:59 pm

Yes, but whitch shade of gold!?

Post by **Matt** » Thu Oct 02, 2008 7:47 pm

Can you ask ESM for the paint code or if they can supply a tin of paint which you can then spray through a gun?

Post by **minor_hickup** » Thu Oct 02, 2008 10:12 pm

The steering wheel isn't the same colour as the dash, in fact I don't think the steering column bracket is the same shade either. The steering wheel is a light browny bakelite, the steering column and bracket is a dull gold and the dash a nice shiny gold colour.

Post by **alanworland** » Thu Oct 02, 2008 11:03 pm

What? Are you saying that when you sit in the car 3 shades of gold are visible?
That might be the case now after 50 years of fading but surely not from new?
I got my dash paint from ESM and I seem to remember that it was a Toyota colour, might be worth giving them a ring to find out.

Post by **bmcecosse** » Thu Oct 02, 2008 11:07 pm

As I remember - the paint cans in Portugal were very cheap - so just try some. You may need to make them 'matt' of course, and you can modify the final colour by using a different undercoat - ie grey/brown/black.

Post by **psjorge** » Fri Oct 03, 2008 9:30 am

The steering wheel isn't the same colour as the dash, in fact I don't think the steering column bracket is the same shade either. The steering wheel is a light browny bakelite, the steering column and bracket is a dull gold and the dash a nice shiny gold colour.

When I wrote "steering wheel" I wasn't refering to the rim (whitch is light brown bakelite) nor to the chrome, only to the center part that fits onto the column and where the boss also fits (the boss is dark brown).

It's interesting that you mention that there are three shades of gold. By looking at the pictures in Ray Newell's Original Morris Minor, they look to be the same and a "nice shiny gold colour", hence my initial doubt...

I think I'll contact ESM to see what they have to say about this.

I'll be in touch!

Post by **IaininTenbury** » Sat Oct 04, 2008 9:10 am

I've got several examples of Series 2 steering wheels where the gold on the wheel is much lighter than the column. I'll try and get a photo.
Yes, I'm happy that there would be three different shades of gold visible.
The main colour, a deep bronze type colour, was used on all the metal parts painted by BMC - glove box lids, steering column, screen pillar etc. The steering wheel would have been made by an outside supplier and painted by them, as would the heater - supplied by Smiths, so that often appears a slightly different shade.
All this is often lost on restored cars where its all dilligently painted the same colour.

Post by **IaininTenbury** » Mon Oct 06, 2008 12:18 am

Heres an example of some original Series 2 parts - all from the same car as it happens.

<a href="http://s179.photobucket.com/albums/w290 ... gwheel.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i179.photobucket.com/albums/w290 ... gwheel.jpg" border="0" alt="series 2 wheel"></a>

The steering column is the usual colour of the dashboard glove box lid etc, the heater is a slightly richer brighter colour, and the wheel a much paler gold. Seen the lighter wheels on a lot of Series 2s, this was just the best example I had that hadn't been repainted.

One thing to be aware of is the gold is a very unsparkly gold. Many modern car colours are very close but much more glittery than the original. theres a Ford colour thats a good match for the dashboard/column etc but still a little too sparkle. If you had it mixed up in cellulose it may be better.

Post by **psjorge** » Wed Oct 08, 2008 6:28 pm

Thanks for your photos and knowledge! It does make a lot of sense what you say about the subtil diferencies in shade found on parts sourced from several suppliers and put toghether on the same car. Having said this, it's a fact that most cars we see on books have been restored and "dilligently painted the same colour" as you say.

Regarding this, ESM was unable to give me a definite answer. In the meantime, I tried to find a match on a local paint shop and came up with a very nice shade, only slightly lighter. It was used by Jaguar in the '60s.

In light of what Iainin said I think I'll keep the steering wheel as it is and use this new shade only for the rest of the parts...