Rained 4 hours here late this afternoon. Took the ‘50 to fetch some groceries tonight. Got inside the store and looked at my hands...... they were solid black! Looked like I had brushed them with black paint! Did notice the steering wheel felt tacky while I was driving it. So, obviously it’s the humidity causing the problem. Would scrubbing with a soapy 3M scotch bright sponge to it do any good or make it worse? This black stuff is nasty!!
Chuck 1950 Chevy 1/2 ton (all original) 1951 Chevy 1/2 ton (future streetrod) 1941 Chevy coupe 1938 Chevy coupe streetrod
I've tried cleaning my wheel with different products several times. If it was humid the next day I'd have black hands again. Got into the habit of wiping the wheel down every time I got in on a humid day with a rag I kept in the truck for that purpose. Finally just pulled the wheel out and painted it.
So now I know it’s not just an isolated problem I’m having, and that others know what I’m talking about. LOL. I think I’ll keep a rag in the cab and give it away down on rainy days. When I was in high school I put one of those perforated, vinyl covers on the steering wheel of my ‘67 Mustang. Might try buying one of those again. The string idea might work, but depending on the string it might be abrasive, and would certainly get dirty. I guess taking it off and painting it would be the ultimate fix. Too lazy to do that at this point. Thanks for the ideas!
Chuck 1950 Chevy 1/2 ton (all original) 1951 Chevy 1/2 ton (future streetrod) 1941 Chevy coupe 1938 Chevy coupe streetrod
You need to clean it up, epoxy prime it, and paint it. The black stuff is the actual substance of which the steering wheel is made. It is water soluble. Carl
1952 5-window - return to "as built" condition | 1950 3100 with a 235 and a T-5 transmission
Refurbed my wheel 5 years ago. Fixed the cracks with JB putty, and then gave wheel several coats of black Rustoleum. Found a 18in wrap on ebay in the big truck accessories and my wheel has been good since.
Carl is right. You need to coat/wrap it or it will continue to turn your hands black.ðŸ›
Martin '62 Chevy C-10 Stepside Shortbed (Restomod in progress) '47 Chevy 3100 5 Window (long term project) ‘65 Chevy Biscayne (Emily) ‘39 Dodge Business Coupe (Clarence) “I fought the law and the law won" now I are a retired one! Support those brave men/women who stand the "Thin Blue Line"! Hug a cop! USAF 1965-1969 Weather Observation Tech (I got paid to look at the clouds)
I just primed mine with gray primer and painted it with a few coats of brown appliance paint. The paint was sold as an epoxy paint, but at the time I doubted that. This was 30 years ago and it is still ok. This time when I re-do it, I'm going to try making a leather cover for the outside rim.
Jon
~ Jon 1952 1/2 ton with 1959 235 | T5 with 3.07 rear end
