OT: Chevelle Steering Wheel Repair ?

[Ironhorse]

Picked up a steering wheel from a 69 Impala Custom from my favorite 'yard today. Appears to be made from same type of material as the steering wheels from 69-72 pick-ups. Has a couple of cracks like our truck wheels usually do, largest about 1/4" in the rim, two smaller ones, other wise in nice shape. Plan on using it for my next project, ' 71 Chevelle SS. Have been told to repair using "J-B" weld on the cracks. Anyone tried this or have a better suggestion? It is wrong color for my Chevelle SS (should be black and is tan or saddle color). Picked up a can of Krylon "Fusion" for plastic coloring in the Gloss Black. Anyone used this product, is new to me? Also anyone had experience in a home remedy for steering wheel repair? Plan on putting a leather "wrap" on the wheel when done so repair need not be show quality. Thanks for all replies and above all, "Keep On Truckin' "

[Stroker]

I would use an epoxy putty like pc7 http://www.right-tool.com/pc7epoxypaste.html I think JB Weld also makes an epoxy putty called Water Weld that might be a little easier to find locally. Any good epoxy putty that is recomended for plastics should work. If you have some narrow cracks you might want to use a dremol tool and grind out some material to allow the epoxy to fill. Clean the wheel up with a good detergent and allow it to dry then wipe it down with laquer thinner. Fill all the cracks, chips and voids with the epoxy putty. Then shape and sand the repairs. Follow up with primer and paint. I think eastwood and POR make complete kits for repairing steering wheel but they run around $70.

[JimKshortstep4x4]

We used the steering wheel epoxie from Eastwood and had a problem with it.
The repair looked good but when the temperature hit 10 degrees the first winter after the repair, a crack developed at the repairs and did not close up again. We were disappointed because of the cost of the product and we did the repair as Stroker described.

I don't know why a good body epoxie such as "Bondo-Glas" would not work for the repairs you want to do. We use it for sealing weld joints and have never had it crack.

Good luck!

Jim