restoring a steering wheel - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

turner15 · 03-25-2007, 09:27 PM

Has anyone ever restored a steering wheel? I only have a couple of cracks in mine and would like to try. I was thinking of fibreglass bondo in the cracks and the SEM paint I used on the headliner?

Any advice would be great.http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/i...es/redface.gif

larry may · 03-25-2007, 10:16 PM

This was talked about in the paint forum long while back. JB weld was disscussed. Do not know what the results were there . I tried it with the Quick JB weld. took a couple of applications with wax paper under the wheel To catch the run if any. Sanded the wheel and sprayed with can spray. Is not a great job but did look better than the cracks. Should have taken a picture . My skill with paint and such is challanged. Guy that bought the truck did not notice the patch even when I asked him. Good Luck

sjarrett71 · 03-25-2007, 11:05 PM

I believe Eastwoods or LMC or someone sells an actual steering wheel repair kit. It has some epoxy stuff in it.

*72CSTC5* · 03-25-2007, 11:22 PM

You could use some 3M 8115 panel bonding adhesive. Would work for you but you have to buy a pricey gun to dispense the adhesive for you.

Luis_gz06 · 03-25-2007, 11:30 PM

Golden State Parts also has a repair kit for wheels.

*Shane* · 03-26-2007, 12:26 AM

Fiber glass resin and activator. No fiber cloth. Mix the resin, apply with something like a Bondo spreader that's been cut down to allow for smaller areas. Then allow the resin to cure, sand to shape, then prime and paint.

Rollie396 · 03-26-2007, 01:35 AM

I read an article a few days ago (that I can't find now) about a company you can send your wheel to.They strip it down to the wire,remold it and put a marble lookin type finish on it.It looked pretty good and I'm sure it wouldn't cost much

.

**'68OrangeSunshine** · 03-26-2007, 09:21 AM

Eastwood [www.eastwood.com] sells a kit, the "Complete Steering Wheel Restoration Kit," p/n 52194Z for $30. I used the pic in their catalog and got most of the key components at Ace hdw,Pep Boys, Home depot, etc. for less. Ace had the 2 -part filler -- PC7 Epoxy. The stuff worked pretty good filling in the grooves I filed thru the cracks. I've sanded it down but still have to do some touch up and refilling/sanding, before I prep it and paint.
I'm still using a "slime green" (Seafoam) spare wheel on my truck and it works OK but looks like ****.

**John Fabris** · 03-26-2007, 10:12 AM

I used JB weld on my wheel, then sanded it smooth, and we painted it the same color blue (same paint) as my truck...

**Shock_Me** · 03-26-2007, 10:20 AM

I'm in the process of restoring a 69' wheel right now, with the kit from Eastwood. It basically comes with a resin and a hardener, cleaner, and etch primer.
Like the others have said: mix resin and hardener, apply, allow to harden, sand and shape, prime and paint.
I haven't primed or painted yet, but the repair looks real good. I'll post pics tonight. As far as how long it will last? Who knows...but the cracks I had were about half an inch wide, so a couple of hair-line cracks would definitely look better than that.

Pete

Biff · 03-26-2007, 06:09 PM

I have heard that the stuff from Eastwood works good. '68orangesunshine is right though, check out the pic and try to find it at the big box stores. http://www.eastwoodco.com/jump.jsp?i...emType=PRODUCT

**Shock_Me** · 03-26-2007, 06:58 PM

This is my progress so far with the Eastwood kit. Pics are a little blurry, but you get the idea.

03-25-2007, 09:27 PM	#1
turner15 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Toronto Canada Posts: 265	restoring a steering wheel Has anyone ever restored a steering wheel? I only have a couple of cracks in mine and would like to try. I was thinking of fibreglass bondo in the cracks and the SEM paint I used on the headliner? Any advice would be great.http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/i...es/redface.gif

03-25-2007, 10:16 PM	#2
larry may Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: MISSOURI Posts: 3,256	Re: restoring a steering wheel This was talked about in the paint forum long while back. JB weld was disscussed. Do not know what the results were there . I tried it with the Quick JB weld. took a couple of applications with wax paper under the wheel To catch the run if any. Sanded the wheel and sprayed with can spray. Is not a great job but did look better than the cracks. Should have taken a picture . My skill with paint and such is challanged. Guy that bought the truck did not notice the patch even when I asked him. Good Luck __________________ The biggest problem people have, is other people Thou shalt be cool and not hassle Be a site supporter. The heart of the wise inclines to the right, but the heart of the fool inclines to the left." Ecclesiastes 10:2

03-25-2007, 11:05 PM	#3
sjarrett71 Registered User Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Rolla, MO Posts: 2,463	Re: restoring a steering wheel I believe Eastwoods or LMC or someone sells an actual steering wheel repair kit. It has some epoxy stuff in it. __________________ -Scott-

03-25-2007, 11:22 PM	#4
72CSTC5 Account Suspended Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Deer Park, Tx. Posts: 2,524	Re: restoring a steering wheel You could use some 3M 8115 panel bonding adhesive. Would work for you but you have to buy a pricey gun to dispense the adhesive for you.

03-25-2007, 11:30 PM	#5
Luis_gz06 Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Las Vegas Posts: 1,378	Re: restoring a steering wheel Golden State Parts also has a repair kit for wheels.

03-26-2007, 12:26 AM	#6
Shane Account Suspended Join Date: Jun 2000 Location: over yonder Posts: 14,270	Re: restoring a steering wheel Fiber glass resin and activator. No fiber cloth. Mix the resin, apply with something like a Bondo spreader that's been cut down to allow for smaller areas. Then allow the resin to cure, sand to shape, then prime and paint.

03-26-2007, 01:35 AM	#7
Rollie396 someday it will be done! Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Lloydminster,AB. Canada Posts: 1,620	Re: restoring a steering wheel I read an article a few days ago (that I can't find now) about a company you can send your wheel to.They strip it down to the wire,remold it and put a marble lookin type finish on it.It looked pretty good and I'm sure it wouldn't cost much . __________________ '72 C-10 Proud owner of a million new and used pieces that used to be and will once again be(god willing) a testament to the term "they don't build em like that anymore. '80 LWB 2wd beater '67 GMC long fleet (cab donor) '66 long step (parked till it's turn comes around) '65 short step (parts truck that will donate it's bed and possibly frame to the '66) '06 Grand Prix wife's car (she hardly lets me touch it) my pics

03-26-2007, 09:21 AM	#8
'68OrangeSunshine Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Tucson, AZ USA Posts: 7,210	Re: restoring a steering wheel Eastwood [www.eastwood.com] sells a kit, the "Complete Steering Wheel Restoration Kit," p/n 52194Z for $30. I used the pic in their catalog and got most of the key components at Ace hdw,Pep Boys, Home depot, etc. for less. Ace had the 2 -part filler -- PC7 Epoxy. The stuff worked pretty good filling in the grooves I filed thru the cracks. I've sanded it down but still have to do some touch up and refilling/sanding, before I prep it and paint. I'm still using a "slime green" (Seafoam) spare wheel on my truck and it works OK but looks like ***. __________________ Every 25 years I like to rebuild that 292, whether it needs it or not. Last edited by '68OrangeSunshine; 03-26-2007 at 09:23 AM.*

03-26-2007, 10:12 AM	#9
John Fabris TOTY 2006 Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: Magalia CA USA Posts: 2,270	Re: restoring a steering wheel I used JB weld on my wheel, then sanded it smooth, and we painted it the same color blue (same paint) as my truck... __________________ John Fabris 67 C10 SWB

03-26-2007, 10:20 AM	#10
Shock_Me Senior Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: New Brunswick, Canada Posts: 587	Re: restoring a steering wheel I'm in the process of restoring a 69' wheel right now, with the kit from Eastwood. It basically comes with a resin and a hardener, cleaner, and etch primer. Like the others have said: mix resin and hardener, apply, allow to harden, sand and shape, prime and paint. I haven't primed or painted yet, but the repair looks real good. I'll post pics tonight. As far as how long it will last? Who knows...but the cracks I had were about half an inch wide, so a couple of hair-line cracks would definitely look better than that. Pete

03-26-2007, 06:09 PM	#11
Biff GM Gypsy Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Flint, Michigan Posts: 127	Re: restoring a steering wheel I have heard that the stuff from Eastwood works good. '68orangesunshine is right though, check out the pic and try to find it at the big box stores. http://www.eastwoodco.com/jump.jsp?i...emType=PRODUCT __________________ 1972 Custom 10 Deluxe LWB 4x4 2003 Power Wheels Barbie Jeep (2 daughters ya know) 2004 Silverado Crew Cab Z71- Sold Here's to your coffin... May it be built of 100 year old oaks which I will plant tomorrow...

03-26-2007, 06:58 PM	#12
Shock_Me Senior Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: New Brunswick, Canada Posts: 587	Re: restoring a steering wheel This is my progress so far with the Eastwood kit. Pics are a little blurry, but you get the idea.

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