1969-1972 Chevy/GMC Factory Steering Wheel Restoration

[NewType72]

Originally Posted by sboris

Definitely interested in all this. I'm going to do a 68 wheel. The material in the later 69 and up wheels seems different. Any input on this? Great job by the way Newtype72
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I myself have never handled a 67-68 wheel though I wish I could find one they do look really great in any truck and I believe that they are a different material the 69-72's seem to have a "softer" plastic opposed to the early wheels which seem to last much longer with their "harder" plastic. I wouldn't quote that because again I've never got to mess with one before. And thank you very much I appreciate all of the knowledge and support this forum brings so It drives me to do nice little write-ups like this for the young ones like me coming into this game.
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[special-K]

The 69-72 wheels are a different material than earlier wheels. 67/68s are the same as years prior and in '73 they changed material again. I believe 69-72s are a type of vinyl.

[sboris]

Originally Posted by special-K

The 69-72 wheels are a different material than earlier wheels. 67/68s are the same as years prior and in '73 they changed material again. I believe 69-72s are a type of vinyl.

So do they all use the same repair material?
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[special-K]

Yeah,epoxy.

[NewType72]

Originally Posted by special-K

The 69-72 wheels are a different material than earlier wheels. 67/68s are the same as years prior and in '73 they changed material again. I believe 69-72s are a type of vinyl.

Good info Tim the early ones just always seemed to look like they lasted so much longer over the years and this would explain that easily.

Pictures of the re-re-sanding process coming tonight

[knsmodels]

I would definitely use an automotive paint with a hardener in it....That is what I used on my wheel and it has held up well....The black wheels did not seem to crack as bad....I had found a nice black wheel and painted it to match my interior.....Good luck hope it turns out great.....

[NewType72]

Originally Posted by knsmodels

I would definitely use an automotive paint with a hardener in it....That is what I used on my wheel and it has held up well....The black wheels did not seem to crack as bad....I had found a nice black wheel and painted it to match my interior.....Good luck hope it turns out great.....

Will definitely be going this rout hopefully some major progress by this weekend

[NewType72]

Alright I've been slacking but have been working so here goes I'll try to keep it relative as possible as I did with my descriptions from the beginning.

1. I was upset with the lack of prevention from paint crack as seen on the hub and roughness from the sanding on the spokes of the wheel and most definitely the backside so I started with just some general purpose 60 Grit Sand paper which went fast but did it's job in exactly 4 sheets which seems like a lot but with all the nooks and crannies it isn't too bad. here's a couple shots of the roughing. I've got about 22 hours into it at this point of the re-process of the wheel with the stripping of the coats of paint.

[NewType72]

2. Moving onto the past couple night I now have around 26 hours or so with the finishing of the 60 grit on the backside in the valley's of the grip, (( WHAT A PITA THOSE ARE I'll be honest )) now I got ready for the 180. I know big jump and it really showed as I was out of 120 and the vinyl/plastic really clogged the finer paper but I did start pulling a nice smooth finish out of it compared to the deep ruts from before. I also am showing a previous step as I removed the barely visible grain texture this time. I felt it wasn't doing much for the wheel if it wasn't all the way around like it should be. I want to look into recreating it on another wheel in the future possible and make this one a sleeker "sporty" design compared the the higher end grain style's kind of like Deluxe/custom vs. Cheyenne Super. Anyway laid down a couple hours of smoothing nixing the grips this time as I wanted to lay more epoxy later to see if I could solve some popping issues in the paint. Then comes the epoxy you can see I put down some tape to rebuild the "body line" on the top of the hub. I'll show more tomorrow as it has to set and then be sanded to show the more dominant lines on top. That's all for tonight as I'm starting to feel the hours of a day job and no rest over the holiday weekend set in. Stay tuned

[NewType72]

Hey guys I know I've been slacking with updates but right now it's our local towns biggest car show month of the season so I've been battling some truck issues to get her rolling smoother. Anyway I'm hoping to have a write up and pictures by Saturday morning for everyone. First coat is on and doesn't look to bad so a possible second coat before the weekend but we shall see. Thank you
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[special-K]

I'll be watching. I think you'll have it right this time. Can't wait to see. Oh,I meant to tell you. I have a perfect steering wheel I would have given you if you paid the postage.































Sorry,JUST KIDDING!! (but you already knew that...right?)

[NewType72]

yeah I knew it was too good to be true. But shoot I might make a side hobby outta this someday.

Anyway yesterday i went ahead and attacked the wheel with 400 grit to smooth out the imperfections I missed before the primer so now it's nice and smooth. I don't believe I got a picture of it in this stage tho unfortunately. Just imagine flat black with a little blue here and there from the thin primer.

It's off with my father now to get its second stage of primer on and I may have one more round after if its not smooth enough then. But it should be fairly decent after this next coat. Getting excited it looks so much better this time around.
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[WannaBe68]

Thread bump --
I know this is an old and dormant thread, but Photobucket is killing me! Is there any way to get these pictures back into the tread? I'm about to try this very thing and would love some visual aid :-)
Thanks!