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Jul 21st, 2025 | | | | Joined: Jul 2017 Posts: 45 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Jul 2017 Posts: 45 | Can anyone tell me what the original steering wheel was made of on a 1955 1/2 ton chevy pickup. Series 2. Feels like hard rubber?? It had the old ( imitation?) Leather looking wrap on it. It was badly beat so I removed the wrap. Wheel has stickum stuff on it and I'd like to know what I can safely clean it off with. Soap and water won't touch it. Needs a solvent of some kind. Any suggestions for safe cleaning as well?
Thanks for any help.
Last edited by Bolter Finally; 01/10/2018 4:13 AM.
Jim
1955 Chevy series 2
6 cylinder, 3 on the tree
Short bed, step side
| | | | | Joined: Jul 2004 Posts: 2,946 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Jul 2004 Posts: 2,946 | I've taken labels off glass jars and have used WD-40 to dissolve the glue. Takes it right off. Don't know if it would work in your situation, but I'd give it a shot. | | | | | Joined: May 2015 Posts: 9,830 Housekeeping (Moderator) Making a Stovebolt Bed & Paint and Body Shop Forums | | Housekeeping (Moderator) Making a Stovebolt Bed & Paint and Body Shop Forums Joined: May 2015 Posts: 9,830 | I'd second trying WD-40. Use it on the back first to make sure it doesn't damage the steering wheel itself.
Kevin 1951 Chevy 3100 work truckFollow this saga in Project JournalPhotos 1929 Ford pickup restored from the ground up. | 1929 Ford Special Coupe (First car) Busting rust since the mid-60's If you're smart enough to take it apart, you darn well better be smart enough to put it back together. | | | | | Joined: Dec 2015 Posts: 2,061 Big Bolt Forum Moderator | | Big Bolt Forum Moderator Joined: Dec 2015 Posts: 2,061 | I have cleaned them with lacquer thinner. Never had an issue. (55.2, 58, and 59 steering wheels) | | | | | Joined: Jul 2017 Posts: 45 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Jul 2017 Posts: 45 | Thanks guys. That's what I wanted to know
Jim
1955 Chevy series 2
6 cylinder, 3 on the tree
Short bed, step side
| | | | | Joined: Apr 2016 Posts: 941 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Apr 2016 Posts: 941 | There is a product called goof off at your local hardware store. I have used lacquer thinner when restoring them with no problem but I'm repainting them.
Old enough to know better, too young to resist.
| | | | | Joined: Dec 2015 Posts: 2,061 Big Bolt Forum Moderator | | Big Bolt Forum Moderator Joined: Dec 2015 Posts: 2,061 | once clean, if not shiny enough, you can go over it with some rubbing compound on a rag to shine it back up. (no wax or anything ) | | | | | Joined: Apr 2005 Posts: 2,832 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Apr 2005 Posts: 2,832 | If you have any painting to do further down the line I wouldn't use WD-40, Armor-All, or any silicone containing product. Good products but will leave you fighting fish eyes in paint till you pull your hair out. Have found the wax and grease remover made for cleaning an about to be painted surface or 3M decal remover clean steering wheels well and are paint friendly.
Evan
| | | | | Joined: Sep 2001 Posts: 29,262 Bubba - Curmudgeon | | Bubba - Curmudgeon Joined: Sep 2001 Posts: 29,262 | Read Evan's post three times - this goes for any cleaner, wax, lubricant, "shiney-upper", or rejuvenator.
Normal/standard/original WD-40® Multi-Use Product does not contain silicone; however, by popular demand/ignorance WD-40 sells many other silicone-containing products (one obvious example: WD-40 Specialist Water Resistant Silicone Lubricant).
| | | | | Joined: Jul 2017 Posts: 45 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Jul 2017 Posts: 45 | once clean, if not shiny enough, you can go over it with some rubbing compound on a rag to shine it back up. (no wax or anything ) I like this option. I've never had good luck painting non metal surfaces that get a lot of use. Thanks to all. Lots of good info here.
Jim
1955 Chevy series 2
6 cylinder, 3 on the tree
Short bed, step side
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