Black Plastic Restorer

[C10 - C90 Bill]

What would be the best product to use on my original, dull Steering Wheel on my '72 C-10?

Thanks

[howzzzit]

I just repainted a friends C20 steering wheel. It was actually sticky to the touch. Took a lot of work to get the goo off the wheel. Tried various chemicals being careful not to use anything like acetone with likes to gobble plastics. Ended up using Castrol super clean straight out of the jug. Laid the wheel in a wash tray and kept it wet with the Castrol for awhile and then used a stiff brush on it. Had to repeat until sticky was gone and wheel was clean. Washed with soap and water. Shot it with 2 coats of Rustoleum painters touch 2X spray paint in black satin. Painted one side at a time laying flat to avoid runs. Takes a few days, but you'll avoid the running. Don't put it on too heavy. Keep the can moving until you have a smooth wet look and then stop. It says wait 48 hours before recoat. Believe it. I waited double that time because I know if you recoat too soon the paint will orange peel the previous coat. He loves the wheel and I'm even impressed. I just assumed yours is black?

[C10 - C90 Bill]

My Steering Wheel is Black and not really that bad, just dull. I see some Black Plastic Restorer products like Meguiar's, Mother's, Car Guys, etc and just wondering how good they would work on Steering Wheels. Good info if I decide to paint though.

[Jason Banks]

I don't think those black plastic restorer products are what you need for the steering wheel. I have used those products on modern vehicle exterior plastics that get faded/dull or dry looking. They are normally a flexible type plastic that I have seen.

I think what you need is a plastic polish. Or even some regular polishing compound. I think this would be my first try, regular polishing compound, or something like Meguiars cleaner wax that has a light abrasive in it.

I have used the Novus plastic polish in the past on clear plastic car parts. It worked very well.

Another option would be to clean it up really good like howzzzit says and give it a coat of clearcoat.

[LockDoc]

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I have had good luck cleaning the stickey goo off with a product called GOO-GONE. It worked very well. I think it is available about anywhere.

LockDoc

['68OrangeSunshine]

Important to note '67/'68 Steering Wheels were constructed out of a ''Composition'' of crushed walnut shells and glue. Same as skateboard wheels of the period. '69/'72 Wheels were made of a dense plastic called ''Cycolac.'' A substance also used in bowling balls.
In very humid weather, Composition wheels *sweat* sort of, they get sticky. Cycolac wheels are unaffected by weather.

[howzzzit]

I thought my skateboard was acting up back in 68. Now I know why.

Thanks

[jumpsoffrock]

Originally Posted by howzzzit

I just repainted a friends C20 steering wheel. It was actually sticky to the touch. Took a lot of work to get the goo off the wheel. Tried various chemicals being careful not to use anything like acetone with likes to gobble plastics. Ended up using Castrol super clean straight out of the jug. Laid the wheel in a wash tray and kept it wet with the Castrol for awhile and then used a stiff brush on it. Had to repeat until sticky was gone and wheel was clean. Washed with soap and water. Shot it with 2 coats of Rustoleum painters touch 2X spray paint in black satin. Painted one side at a time laying flat to avoid runs. Takes a few days, but you'll avoid the running. Don't put it on too heavy. Keep the can moving until you have a smooth wet look and then stop. It says wait 48 hours before recoat. Believe it. I waited double that time because I know if you recoat too soon the paint will orange peel the previous coat. He loves the wheel and I'm even impressed. I just assumed yours is black?

Thank you very much I really needed this info. I'm gonna try it.

[jumpsoffrock]

Originally Posted by '68OrangeSunshine

Important to note '67/'68 Steering Wheels were constructed out of a ''Composition'' of crushed walnut shells and glue. Same as skateboard wheels of the period. '69/'72 Wheels were made of a dense plastic called ''Cycolac.'' A substance also used in bowling balls.
In very humid weather, Composition wheels *sweat* sort of, they get sticky. Cycolac wheels are unaffected by weather.

Even with paint they sweat?

['68OrangeSunshine]

Originally Posted by howzzzit

I thought my skateboard was acting up back in 68. Now I know why.

Thanks

Yeah. When they came out with sylastic wheels, with a kind of silicone, it was a gamechanger. Enter Tony Hawk.
But I'd quit skating by then.

[special-K]

I've used tire shine on plastic parts, like door jamb vents, and they look shiny new. Not sure if that's recommended or not but it's been over 5 years and they still look great, not falling apart

[Wikid61]

https://www.youtube.com/@apexdetail85 This guys work is stellar. It will have what to do to plastic/composite materials.

[68bowtie]

This is what I use for all my interior and exterior plastic parts. It’s not slimy like some of the others.

[C10 - C90 Bill]

Appreciate the additional replies.

Turtle Wax Restorer looks pretty good.

Pretty much what I was looking for.

['68OrangeSunshine]

Originally Posted by jumpsoffrock

Even with paint they sweat?

Good question. I bought my '68 Stepside in 1973. I was living in LA. [A coastal city] I remember using surfboard wax on the wheel to try to eliminate the stickyness.
It was already 5 years old when I got it.

Now I am using a loaner wheel in Seafoam Green, while I restore my OEM wheel. I have filed the cracks out and back-filled the grooves, and sanded it level. I have not found a perfect Silver Fawn paint match yet.
So I can't state how a painted wheel behaves in high humidity.
The loaner is pretty porous, so, yes, it gets sticky on the infrequent occasions when monsoon moisture hits the Desert Southwest.

I am hoping a few good primer coats, and then covering that with Fawn spraypaint will seal it up. Provided it's painted during a dry spell. Which is most of the time...
If it gets sticky after that, I'll look for a disc of beeswax.

[Rust_never_sleeps]

For other black trim, I prefer the Wurth Rubber and Plastic Dressing, but it's not always available.
I often end up using Back to Black, which works fine, but often requires multiple applications.

[special-K]

Originally Posted by 68bowtie

This is what I use for all my interior and exterior plastic parts. It’s not slimy like some of the others.

That's how parts look from using Tire Shine