The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Interiors refinishing steering wheel

guys, im getting an original steering wheel for my 57.
is got the usual cracks and such.
any tips on how to refinish it, fill the cracks, and paint ?
i want a heads up before i buy anything and get started.

thanks..leonard

Leonard, this has come up before and I remember some do's and don't along with all the suggestions on "how" to do it. Some say fill them with expoxy, sand and paint, some say cut a V-groove in it and use some jbweld....and the list goes on.
I"m not good at doing searchs here but if you can I'm sure you'll find what your looking for as well as someone with more knowledge than me will chime in here. MMMmmm, there may be a tech tip on this??

I've not restored a steering wheel before but I did see a Sunday morning "how to" show. They "V" cut the cracks, filled & sanded them then painted. It looked pretty good but the work was all brand new on the show. It would be nice to see what it looks like after a couple of years.

I got a kit from Eastwoods that had a how-to book and the two part epoxy to repair my steering wheel. That was 4 years ago and it still looks new. Worth the price.

George

thanks much guys. i will go with CLASSIC PARTS OF AMERICA kit or eastwood.
i like the idea of eastwood having a how to book included with their kit.

THANSK SO MUCH GUYS..
LEONARD

I opened up the cracks with a v cut and used an epoxy from the hardware store. It had to be in the early 80's it was on my MGA and I finished it in 84. I have put about 6000 miles a year on it. I mixed it in a syringe without the needle and used it to force the epoxy into the crack. You could probably do as good with a toothpick. Sand and paint.

What kind of paint are you guys planning to use or did you use on these steering wheels? I did this procedure several years back and I could never find any paint that would stay on the wheel. It wore off quickly while driving. That kind of stopped me from moving forward on a second try with this method.
Joe

If and when one paints the steering wheel it would be a good idea to used a little paint hardner or activator. The paint then is on the wheel for keeps.

guys, could i use automotive paint with activator, then clear coat ?

thanks.
leonard

Yes, you can. I actually used POR15 Chassis Coat Black on mine, holding up very well. I do have one crack that came back, but I beleive that was from my own mis-done repair. I used the kit from POR15, which is similar to Eastwoods kit.

thanks longbox. i have some clear and activator in my shop, so all i would need to get is some black automotive paint and activator for it.

gonna get the steering wheel by next week, when he sends it to me, then see if i actually like the way it looks, then buy the repair kit and new horn button, etc.

thanks for the help.

leonard

I used JB on the wife's 57BA. Then painted to match the interior followed by a 2 coat rattle can clear. That was about 12 year ago and still looks good.
dg

I used the Eastwood kit and a paint called Fusion (rattle can)on my Studebaker. It still looks after several years.

dang guys, pretty good sucess with rattle can paint.. cool.
i will kepp this all in mind.

thanks..leonard

guys, i got an original steering wheel for my 57 today in the mail.
i bought it from fellow bolter
1946chevypickup.

i tried it on my truck, and what a difference an original 18 inch wheel is compared to a 15 inch aftermarket wheel. turns much easier when dead stopped or at a slow roll.
feels like power steering now. LOL.

now im gotta get a reapir kit, new horn button, etc, and decide what color i want to paint it. then put it on my truck.

got so many other projects going on around here it might take me a month of so, but when i get it on the truck, i will post pics.

thanks again to 1946chevypickup for the fast delievery, and to all you guys for your input.

leonard