Steering wheel restoration - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

*Mister-B* · 01-09-2013, 12:23 AM

I just bought this decent 68 wheel for my 69. This new wheel doesn't have very many cracks, but it does have a few here and there. I want to fill them, sand it all down, and then paint it dark blue to match my interior, and clear coat it.

I've got a question about what to use to fill the cracks? I've heard people mention using Reson, but exactly what type of Reson? Where can I buy it? Are there better options out there to fill cracks?

Posted via Mobile Device

SCHRUMGMC · 01-09-2013, 12:24 AM

Hmmm, I am glad your not just throwing it out like numerous of people I know...

ole dollor · 01-09-2013, 12:57 AM

there have been several threads on doing this , some one will chime in and advise on the best way to fix it...good luck on it...

*Mister-B* · 01-09-2013, 01:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ole dollor

there have been several threads on doing this , some one will chime in and advise on the best way to fix it...good luck on it...

Yeah, and I looked at those, but the ones I saw just say they used "Reson" but not much more
Posted via Mobile Device

JRE · 01-09-2013, 01:20 AM

I used Eastwood's steering wheel restoration kit. it's a two part epoxy. When I restored the last one I sanded the whole wheel with 320 grit sand paper then opened up the big crackes using my dremmel to grind a v in them. Then put the epoxy putty in them. after letting it sit over night I sanded the putty with 150 then 320 then primed it with high build primer and painted it body color.

*Mister-B* · 01-09-2013, 01:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JRE

I used Eastwood's steering wheel restoration kit. it's a two part epoxy. When I restored the last one I sanded the whole wheel with 320 grit sand paper then opened up the big crackes using my dremmel to grind a v in them. Then put the epoxy putty in them. after letting it sit over night I sanded the putty with 150 then 320 then primed it with high build primer and painted it body color.

Cool. Thanks. Where did you get it?
Posted via Mobile Device

Andy4639 · 01-09-2013, 01:47 AM

Here is the thread on my SS Chevelle steering wheel I did back in October.

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=547520

*Mister-B* · 01-09-2013, 02:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Andy4639

Here is the thread on my SS Chevelle steering wheel I did back in October.

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=547520

Thanks for the info. Looks great. So, did you just use Bondo then?
Posted via Mobile Device

Andy4639 · 01-09-2013, 02:37 AM

Yes the cracks were all pretty small so I decided to use the bondo. I took a small thread file and open them up some to get the bondo in there good. sanded it all down and painted. I think it turned out nice for my first time.

Spartan · 01-09-2013, 02:38 AM

2nd the Eastwood kit
Por 15 makes one too
The epoxy is a two part similar to jbweld
It's called pl7 and can be purchased at home improvement stores
Clean clean clean before hand.
Posted via Mobile Device

Spartan · 01-09-2013, 02:40 AM

I'll add that if you go to you tube that Stacy David? Guy shows basics
Cheers!
Posted via Mobile Device

bollybib · 01-09-2013, 11:21 AM

I used PC7 epoxy to fill the gaps. I masked right up to the edge of the area to be filled so as not to get goop on the adjacent original surface. Once cured, the epoxy was fairly easy to shape. I used narrow strips of sandpaper, working my way little-by-little down from 100 grit to 1500. I had to use my Dremel with small diamond shaping bits in a few places to reproduce the rim contour, particularly for the groove and offset in the top half of the wheel.

It's a lot cheaper to buy PC7 at your local hardware store than as part of a kit. Just make sure you get the contact surfaces on the wheel very clean and slightly roughened.

http://www.pcepoxy.com/our-products/...oxies/pc-7.php

RManson · 01-10-2013, 01:15 AM

I restored the wheel in my '68, but I reduced the diameter as well. Check out the link and it will answer a few of your questions I hope. I used Eastwood products with very nice results...

http://www.customclassictrucks.com/t...teering_wheel/

-Ryan

Andy4639 · 01-12-2013, 10:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RManson

I restored the wheel in my '68, but I reduced the diameter as well. Check out the link and it will answer a few of your questions I hope. I used Eastwood products with very nice results...

http://www.customclassictrucks.com/t...teering_wheel/

-Ryan

That is a cool wheel but for me it's a little above what I personally could do I think.

Madtat · 01-13-2013, 07:32 PM

Good thread and good link!
ughhhh....my next project.

BigRed76 · 01-21-2013, 06:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RManson

I restored the wheel in my '68, but I reduced the diameter as well. Check out the link and it will answer a few of your questions I hope. I used Eastwood products with very nice results...

http://www.customclassictrucks.com/t...teering_wheel/

-Ryan

How did you go about reducing the diameter?

**leddzepp** · 01-21-2013, 06:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BigRed76

How did you go about reducing the diameter?

Click on the link he posted. It is a magazine article that explains everything.
Posted via Mobile Device

*Mister-B* · 01-12-2013, 08:39 PM

Ok guys, thanks for the help. I ended up using Bondo. I could get what I needed for less than 10 bucks, and it worked really well. Got everything sanded down and primed. Painted it dark blue like my interior, and clear coated it. Looking good

Posted via Mobile Device

JRE · 01-12-2013, 08:44 PM

looks good. Keep a close Eye on the repaired spot's bondo doesn't like to flex and will start getting some hair line crack's in it after a while.

*Mister-B* · 01-12-2013, 08:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JRE

looks good. Keep a close Eye on the repaired spot's bondo doesn't like to flex and will start getting some hair line crack's in it after a while.

Luckily the wheel was in good enough shape that I really didn't need much
Posted via Mobile Device

Andy4639 · 01-12-2013, 08:55 PM

Looking good man. That blue is poping!

Question I have been wondering since I restored mine.

What in the world caused all these wheel's to crack? Man I just can't believe that some one would pull that hard on a steering wheel. What kind of person pushes down on the wheel to crack it like some of these pictured.

I know the heat from the sun doesn't help but I just can't figure it out how they crack like this.

*Mister-B* · 01-12-2013, 09:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Andy4639

Looking good man. That blue is poping!

Question I have been wondering since I restored mine.

What in the world caused all these wheel's to crack? Man I just can't believe that some one would pull that hard on a steering wheel. What kind of person pushes down on the wheel to crack it like some of these pictured.

I know the heat from the sun doesn't help but I just can't figure it out how they crack like this.

Thanks, man. The 67/68 steering wheels are less prone to cracking than the 69-72 wheels IMHO. So, I think the cracks come from poor design, age, and hot/cold temperatures.
Posted via Mobile Device

Andy4639 · 01-12-2013, 09:27 PM

Yea the design and heat factor are a lot of it but man some of these wheels I have seen look like someone just bared down on them are pulled them as hard as they could.

Scott>72-GMC · 01-12-2013, 09:58 PM

Superbird / Vintage Parts Restoration [S1 Ep.6-2]...

Here is another way to repair one
Posted via Mobile Device

SCHRUMGMC · 01-13-2013, 07:34 PM

Nice Steering wheel man

01-09-2013, 12:23 AM	#1
Mister-B Account Suspended Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Salt Lake City, Utah Posts: 3,331	Steering wheel restoration I just bought this decent 68 wheel for my 69. This new wheel doesn't have very many cracks, but it does have a few here and there. I want to fill them, sand it all down, and then paint it dark blue to match my interior, and clear coat it. I've got a question about what to use to fill the cracks? I've heard people mention using Reson, but exactly what type of Reson? Where can I buy it? Are there better options out there to fill cracks? Posted via Mobile Device

01-09-2013, 12:24 AM	#2
SCHRUMGMC Registered User Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: North Carolina Posts: 4,989	Re: Steering wheel restoration Hmmm, I am glad your not just throwing it out like numerous of people I know... __________________ 1971 GMC Sierra 1959 GMC 100

01-09-2013, 12:57 AM	#3
ole dollor Registered User Join Date: May 2012 Location: Anton, Texas Posts: 2,364	Re: Steering wheel restoration there have been several threads on doing this , some one will chime in and advise on the best way to fix it...good luck on it...

01-09-2013, 01:20 AM	#5
JRE Registered User Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Milwaukie Oregon Posts: 547	Re: Steering wheel restoration I used Eastwood's steering wheel restoration kit. it's a two part epoxy. When I restored the last one I sanded the whole wheel with 320 grit sand paper then opened up the big crackes using my dremmel to grind a v in them. Then put the epoxy putty in them. after letting it sit over night I sanded the putty with 150 then 320 then primed it with high build primer and painted it body color.

01-09-2013, 01:47 AM	#7
Andy4639 Old member Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Liberty, & Garden City S.C. , U.S. Posts: 19,936	Re: Steering wheel restoration Here is the thread on my SS Chevelle steering wheel I did back in October. http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=547520 __________________ 1971 LWB Custom, 6.0LS & 4L80E, Speedhut.com GPS speedometer & gauges with A/C. 20" Boss 338's Grey wheels 4 wheel disc brakes. My Driver Seeing the USA in a 71 Upstate SC GM Truck Club 2013,14 and 2016 Hot Rod Pour Tour http://upstategmtrucks.com/ Get out and drive the truck this summer and have some fun! It sucks not being able to hear! LWB trucks rule, if you don't think so measure your SWB! After talking to tech support at Air Lift I have found out that the kit I need is 60811. Per the measurements I gave them. Ride height of truck inside spring and inside diameter of springs.

01-09-2013, 02:37 AM	#9
Andy4639 Old member Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Liberty, & Garden City S.C. , U.S. Posts: 19,936	Re: Steering wheel restoration Yes the cracks were all pretty small so I decided to use the bondo. I took a small thread file and open them up some to get the bondo in there good. sanded it all down and painted. I think it turned out nice for my first time. __________________ 1971 LWB Custom, 6.0LS & 4L80E, Speedhut.com GPS speedometer & gauges with A/C. 20" Boss 338's Grey wheels 4 wheel disc brakes. My Driver Seeing the USA in a 71 Upstate SC GM Truck Club 2013,14 and 2016 Hot Rod Pour Tour http://upstategmtrucks.com/ Get out and drive the truck this summer and have some fun! It sucks not being able to hear! LWB trucks rule, if you don't think so measure your SWB! After talking to tech support at Air Lift I have found out that the kit I need is 60811. Per the measurements I gave them. Ride height of truck inside spring and inside diameter of springs.

01-09-2013, 02:38 AM	#10
Spartan Registered User Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: Backwoods, OR Posts: 888	Re: Steering wheel restoration 2nd the Eastwood kit Por 15 makes one too The epoxy is a two part similar to jbweld It's called pl7 and can be purchased at home improvement stores Clean clean clean before hand. Posted via Mobile Device __________________ '69 K20 350/4 speed/Rockwell/D44/HO52. "orange rhymes with door hinge"

01-09-2013, 02:40 AM	#11
Spartan Registered User Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: Backwoods, OR Posts: 888	Re: Steering wheel restoration I'll add that if you go to you tube that Stacy David? Guy shows basics Cheers! Posted via Mobile Device __________________ '69 K20 350/4 speed/Rockwell/D44/HO52. "orange rhymes with door hinge"

01-09-2013, 11:21 AM	#12
bollybib Registered User Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Carlsbad, CA Posts: 1,584	Re: Steering wheel restoration I used PC7 epoxy to fill the gaps. I masked right up to the edge of the area to be filled so as not to get goop on the adjacent original surface. Once cured, the epoxy was fairly easy to shape. I used narrow strips of sandpaper, working my way little-by-little down from 100 grit to 1500. I had to use my Dremel with small diamond shaping bits in a few places to reproduce the rim contour, particularly for the groove and offset in the top half of the wheel. It's a lot cheaper to buy PC7 at your local hardware store than as part of a kit. Just make sure you get the contact surfaces on the wheel very clean and slightly roughened. http://www.pcepoxy.com/our-products/...oxies/pc-7.php __________________ - Jim - My Daily Driver is a 1969 Chevrolet Custom/20 Fleetside 350/TH400/Eaton H052 4.10 and its Project thread is here http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=456911

01-10-2013, 01:15 AM	#13
RManson Registered User Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: United States Posts: 158	Re: Steering wheel restoration I restored the wheel in my '68, but I reduced the diameter as well. Check out the link and it will answer a few of your questions I hope. I used Eastwood products with very nice results... http://www.customclassictrucks.com/t...teering_wheel/ -Ryan

01-13-2013, 07:32 PM	#15
Madtat Registered User Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: Hell Paso TX Posts: 804	Re: Steering wheel restoration Good thread and good link! ughhhh....my next project.

01-12-2013, 08:39 PM	#18
Mister-B Account Suspended Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Salt Lake City, Utah Posts: 3,331	Re: Steering wheel restoration Ok guys, thanks for the help. I ended up using Bondo. I could get what I needed for less than 10 bucks, and it worked really well. Got everything sanded down and primed. Painted it dark blue like my interior, and clear coated it. Looking good Posted via Mobile Device

01-12-2013, 08:44 PM	#19
JRE Registered User Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Milwaukie Oregon Posts: 547	Re: Steering wheel restoration looks good. Keep a close Eye on the repaired spot's bondo doesn't like to flex and will start getting some hair line crack's in it after a while.

01-12-2013, 08:55 PM	#21
Andy4639 Old member Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Liberty, & Garden City S.C. , U.S. Posts: 19,936	Re: Steering wheel restoration Looking good man. That blue is poping! Question I have been wondering since I restored mine. What in the world caused all these wheel's to crack? Man I just can't believe that some one would pull that hard on a steering wheel. What kind of person pushes down on the wheel to crack it like some of these pictured. I know the heat from the sun doesn't help but I just can't figure it out how they crack like this. __________________ 1971 LWB Custom, 6.0LS & 4L80E, Speedhut.com GPS speedometer & gauges with A/C. 20" Boss 338's Grey wheels 4 wheel disc brakes. My Driver Seeing the USA in a 71 Upstate SC GM Truck Club 2013,14 and 2016 Hot Rod Pour Tour http://upstategmtrucks.com/ Get out and drive the truck this summer and have some fun! It sucks not being able to hear! LWB trucks rule, if you don't think so measure your SWB! After talking to tech support at Air Lift I have found out that the kit I need is 60811. Per the measurements I gave them. Ride height of truck inside spring and inside diameter of springs.

01-12-2013, 09:27 PM	#23
Andy4639 Old member Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Liberty, & Garden City S.C. , U.S. Posts: 19,936	Re: Steering wheel restoration Yea the design and heat factor are a lot of it but man some of these wheels I have seen look like someone just bared down on them are pulled them as hard as they could. __________________ 1971 LWB Custom, 6.0LS & 4L80E, Speedhut.com GPS speedometer & gauges with A/C. 20" Boss 338's Grey wheels 4 wheel disc brakes. My Driver Seeing the USA in a 71 Upstate SC GM Truck Club 2013,14 and 2016 Hot Rod Pour Tour http://upstategmtrucks.com/ Get out and drive the truck this summer and have some fun! It sucks not being able to hear! LWB trucks rule, if you don't think so measure your SWB! After talking to tech support at Air Lift I have found out that the kit I need is 60811. Per the measurements I gave them. Ride height of truck inside spring and inside diameter of springs.



Register or Log In To remove these advertisements.

01-13-2013, 07:34 PM	#25
SCHRUMGMC Registered User Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: North Carolina Posts: 4,989	Re: Steering wheel restoration Nice Steering wheel man __________________ 1971 GMC Sierra 1959 GMC 100

Register or Log In To remove these advertisements.