Dyeing / minor repairs to steering column
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2017
Posts: 877
Likes: 80
From: Frederick MD
Dyeing / minor repairs to steering column
Good Afternoon All,
I am starting on the interior of my '73 LS3 project. The interior was originally brown, I am converting it to black. I have about everything done except the steering column which is non-tilt/tele. I will be replacing the steering wheel and have ordered a new turn signal lever as the original was rusty, also replacing the horn spring assembly thing just in case. I installed a borgeson conversion so I shortened the shaft accordingly (not really relevant for this I post I guess). I have removed the steering wheel and that hub and have it stripped down to where I can get to the screw that holds the signal lever in place. My question is, can I just tape off the ignition key and dye it all black or should I try to take it all apart? I did the column on my '75 a few years ago and it seems that was easier to get apart for the purpose of dyeing it if I recall correctly.
Thanks,
Scott Ewine
Frederick, MD
I am starting on the interior of my '73 LS3 project. The interior was originally brown, I am converting it to black. I have about everything done except the steering column which is non-tilt/tele. I will be replacing the steering wheel and have ordered a new turn signal lever as the original was rusty, also replacing the horn spring assembly thing just in case. I installed a borgeson conversion so I shortened the shaft accordingly (not really relevant for this I post I guess). I have removed the steering wheel and that hub and have it stripped down to where I can get to the screw that holds the signal lever in place. My question is, can I just tape off the ignition key and dye it all black or should I try to take it all apart? I did the column on my '75 a few years ago and it seems that was easier to get apart for the purpose of dyeing it if I recall correctly.
Thanks,
Scott Ewine
Frederick, MD
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 2,095
Likes: 299
From: Midlothian VA
Good Afternoon All,
I am starting on the interior of my '73 LS3 project. The interior was originally brown, I am converting it to black. I have about everything done except the steering column which is non-tilt/tele. I will be replacing the steering wheel and have ordered a new turn signal lever as the original was rusty, also replacing the horn spring assembly thing just in case. I installed a borgeson conversion so I shortened the shaft accordingly (not really relevant for this I post I guess). I have removed the steering wheel and that hub and have it stripped down to where I can get to the screw that holds the signal lever in place. My question is, can I just tape off the ignition key and dye it all black or should I try to take it all apart? I did the column on my '75 a few years ago and it seems that was easier to get apart for the purpose of dyeing it if I recall correctly.
Thanks,
Scott Ewine
Frederick, MD
I am starting on the interior of my '73 LS3 project. The interior was originally brown, I am converting it to black. I have about everything done except the steering column which is non-tilt/tele. I will be replacing the steering wheel and have ordered a new turn signal lever as the original was rusty, also replacing the horn spring assembly thing just in case. I installed a borgeson conversion so I shortened the shaft accordingly (not really relevant for this I post I guess). I have removed the steering wheel and that hub and have it stripped down to where I can get to the screw that holds the signal lever in place. My question is, can I just tape off the ignition key and dye it all black or should I try to take it all apart? I did the column on my '75 a few years ago and it seems that was easier to get apart for the purpose of dyeing it if I recall correctly.
Thanks,
Scott Ewine
Frederick, MD
Looks very hard but is actually quite a simple process.
Plenty of how to threads on this topic on the forum
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2017
Posts: 877
Likes: 80
From: Frederick MD
Thanks, I have had the column in and out several times as part of the project and I am planning on having it out when I dye it, just wondering if I should pull it all apart as well.
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 37,637
Likes: 3,118
From: Crossville TN
DO NOT disassemble anything that does not require disassembly.....especially a steering column. Mask-off what you don't want to paint. You can use the same vinyl dye used for interior plastic pieces, or you can use regular paint on the metal components. Plastic/vinyl parts need vinyl dye (paint with a flex additive so it can flex without cracking/chipping).
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2017
Posts: 877
Likes: 80
From: Frederick MD
DO NOT disassemble anything that does not require disassembly.....especially a steering column. Mask-off what you don't want to paint. You can use the same vinyl dye used for interior plastic pieces, or you can use regular paint on the metal components. Plastic/vinyl parts need vinyl dye (paint with a flex additive so it can flex without cracking/chipping).
Looks good.
