Get a grip !!

[GR8-68]

Don't throw that old cracked wheel away, fix it and get a new grip on having the original. I have seen so many being ditched over the years, it is time to save what original parts are left. As long as the hub is not too bad that wheel you have may just be able to be saved. The following pics are the wheel from my 70 I decided to use as a practice wheel as the hub was shot on it. To the point of getting what I did in primer I had invested about 3 hours into it.


Before starting the project



Using the dremel to clean up the cracks and remove any faulty material



Using a 2 part epoxy to fill the cracks in



Once it hardens I begin sanding and shaping it back



Then I lay three to four coats of primer sealer to it and it is ready to paint the color of your choice

[saxart]

Larry-
Great thread! I'll ask the million dollar question...

I've restored tractor steering wheels using JB weld, but they always seem to crack again. Do you mind mentioning what brand epoxy you're using on these? It looks like more of a "clay" type consistency rather than a liquid or semi-liquid.

[GR8-68]

It is POR 15 2 part epoxy, it goes on like play dough but hardens like steel. You can sand it shape it drill it and paint it

[GR8-68]

It takes a bit of time and a lot of patience to get it where I am happy with it but beats seeing a useable wheel go to the scrapper or landfill

[GR8-68]

I have several wheels I have that will soon be up for sale also may have a couple at the Carlisle show if anyone wants to check them out. I have four 67-68 wheels right now, a 60-63 gmc wheel and a 69-72 wheel I just bought all of which will be restored and put into primer ready for the color of the new owners choice

[saxart]

Originally Posted by GR8-68

It is POR 15 2 part epoxy, it goes on like play dough but hardens like steel. You can sand it shape it drill it and paint it

Awesome, thanks for the info!

[Leonard60]

Do you think if you were to spray that rubberized paint on the wheel instead of just spray paint it would hold up and maybe give it a little softness?

[71swb4x4]

That looks great!
Wow, those are some massive cracks in the middle. Are you filling those the same way?

[Blue/72]

How do you recreate the grain?

[toolboxchev]

Love to see it finished, please post a pic of your work!

[Gromit]

Has anyone tried one of those sewn-on leather steering wheel covers? I understand that you soak the leather in water and sew it on wet with something like a baseball stitch (two needles) and when it dries it pulls all the slack out and is tight as a drum head..

I think that would work well once you repair the big cracks as it keeps the UV radiation off that plastic..

[GR8-68]

Originally Posted by 71swb4x4

That looks great!
Wow, those are some massive cracks in the middle. Are you filling those the same way?

As I stated this was just a practice wheel and I have not tried anything with a damaged hub to this extreme. I have a few things in mind but have to still test it to see if it will hold up.

This one is split apart so far the retaining ring fell out of it

I will update everyone when I see if it is possible to repair one to this extreme

[GR8-68]

Originally Posted by Blue/72

How do you recreate the grain?

Another hurdle I need to jump

this one was cracked into the woodgrain a little bit on the outer side so I planned to use a dremel with a fine point cutter to reproduce the woodgrain.

Luckily it is only a little bit of it in the center.

[Redline novdog]

Nice ! I need to do mine also. Thanks for the por-15 epoxy idea. I have used it before, but not on a steering wheel. Its' good stuff. I am curious as to how well paint will hold up to the use. Any ideas on the kind of paint??? Possibly interior vinyl trim paint?

[Grumpy old man]

Interior vinyl trim paint won't last very long even when using Bulldog adhesion promoter .

[special-K]

Urethane.