Steering wheel rebuild

[Andy4639]

I bought this wheel this past weekend and plan to get it fixed for the Ramp Rat. Anybody ever done a factory wood wheel. My plan is use wood puddy to fill in the cracks and then sand it down to the right diameter and stain it.
Anybody got any good wood working tips for me?

[ubtripn]

I don't know if this helps but when restoring firearms I used the sawdust I generated and mixed it with wood glue to fill in cracks and you could not see it it worked so well but those are larger spots.

[Ben_Yeaton]

Thats a great tip. The sawdust will end up staining like the wood, and be much more attractive than straight glue. I've done this when plugging holes with dowel; cut flush and sand smooth after glue has been applied. Makes for a very clean finish. Good luck!

[Andy4639]

Originally Posted by ubtripn

I don't know if this helps but when restoring firearms I used the sawdust I generated and mixed it with wood glue to fill in cracks and you could not see it it worked so well but those are larger spots.

I may have to cut up some wood are go by a local cabinet shop and get some saw dust! Thanks for that tip.

[toolboxchev]

Hey Andy,

Just thought I would throw out an alternative idea, Epoxy! Is the original wood? I cannot tell for sure in the pics, even sawdust wood mix with the epoxy and be solid as a rock, there is very few things that stuff will not bond to and then if you do not have a good match it can take paint also.

[Andy4639]

Originally Posted by toolboxchev

Hey Andy,

Just thought I would throw out an alternative idea, Epoxy! Is the original wood? I cannot tell for sure in the pics, even sawdust wood mix with the epoxy and be solid as a rock, there is very few things that stuff will not bond to and then if you do not have a good match it can take paint also.

Thanks. Yea I think I will go with some Epoxy in the mix.

I'm debating now weather to stay as is are wrap it in leather like I did my 67 Chevelle wheel in my 71. My hands get cramps easy now from the corpal tunnel in both so I wrapped the 71 to make it thicker. I'm wondering if I should do this one as well but I don't drive it near as much though.
Hope it shows up this weekend like it's saying.

[NC_John]

Search the HAMB board. Those guys do a lot of that. From a few threads I read on there I used this:

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

Supposed to be very resilient against shrinking and cracking. I'll warn you though - its tough as nails when it sets and is painfully slow to sand. I got so tired of working with it I put the steering wheel up to work on again when I retire.

[GR8-68]

I used this and it works great and sands great and gets super hard

https://www.amazon.com/POR-15-49033-...15+epoxy+putty

[Andy4639]

Originally Posted by GR8-68

I used this and it works great and sands great and gets super hard

https://www.amazon.com/POR-15-49033-...15+epoxy+putty

Thanks I'll take a look at.

Probably just going to buy some locally if I can find it.

[custom10nut]

It the wheel real wood? If it is, wood putty works and can be stained to match. If it's not real, the epoxy is the way to go, for strength and durability
I picked up an old three spoke wooden wheel that needed restoring, and I sanded it down filled and stained the damaged wood, then rubbed it with some oil to get the moistur back into it. Looks pretty good.
Now I just have to find another truck to put it in.

[Andy4639]

Originally Posted by custom10nut

It the wheel real wood? If it is, wood putty works and can be stained to match. If it's not real, the epoxy is the way to go, for strength and durability
I picked up an old three spoke wooden wheel that needed restoring, and I sanded it down filled and stained the damaged wood, then rubbed it with some oil to get the moistur back into it. Looks pretty good.
Now I just have to find another truck to put it in.

According to the seller:'This is for an original Chevrolet 2 spoke simulated wood steering wheel'.

[Andy4639]

Been doing some reading up on my steering wheel buy. I got the wheel today so I plan to try and rebuild it myself.
I'll update as I go and find more info on this.
I found this link on rebuilding them.
I'm going to give it a try and see what happens.


http://www.secondchancegarage.com/public/482.cfm

[Andy4639]

More reading and some more info. Has anybody used this stuff. I found it on another forum.
PC-7 Paste Epoxy Two-part epoxy adhesive paste (bonding agent, sealant and filler)
Apply indoor and outdoor with a temp range of 35 to 115 degrees F
Can be painted, stained, and machined after fully cured.
Sold at Home Depoe to.




http://www.homedepot.com/p/PC-Produc...-100649633-_-N

[Andy4639]

I'm wondering if I just fill up the gaps with the epoxy and then take the wheel to a friend of mine who does hydro dipping if he could do it in a wood grain for me? Hmmmmm this maybe a good solution and a lot less work.

[Andy4639]

Eastwood kit.

[NC_John]

Originally Posted by Andy4639

More reading and some more info. Has anybody used this stuff.

see post #7

[tommys72]

If its real wood Andy, probably more trouble than its worth to actually dip it.

http://k2forums.com/discussion/532/dipping-wood

If its resin or whatever with simulated wood, dipping it would be easy and quick.

[Andy4639]

Originally Posted by tommys72

If its real wood Andy, probably more trouble than its worth to actually dip it.

http://k2forums.com/discussion/532/dipping-wood

If its resin or whatever with simulated wood, dipping it would be easy and quick.

From what I can tell from looking at it it's the simulated wood. I'm going to call my buddy today and ask about dipping it.

[tommys72]

Id say get her fixed up and go for it then.
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=J1K9oMRIV-s

[Andy4639]

Originally Posted by tommys72

Id say get her fixed up and go for it then.
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=J1K9oMRIV-s

That's the video I looked at yesterday that turned the light on!

[tommys72]

Originally Posted by Andy4639

That's the video I looked at yesterday that turned the light on!

I wish he wouldve peeled the tape off to show the whole things after unmasked.

[Andy4639]

Originally Posted by tommys72

I wish he wouldve peeled the tape off to show the whole things after unmasked.

Yea that would have been nice but it got me to thinking none the less!

[Andy4639]

I got some epoxy putty tonight going to let the wheel sit inside tonight and hopefully tomorrow night start on it.

[mongocanfly]

If you've got a buddy that will dip it I'd say go for it..if you like to diy here's a company that sells diy dip kits.http://www.mydipkit.com/index.html

[Andy4639]

Originally Posted by mongocanfly

If you've got a buddy that will dip it I'd say go for it..if you like to diy here's a company that sells diy dip kits.http://www.mydipkit.com/index.html

Thanks, don't mind doing things myself but I think I'll pass on this. Just to much work and mess and don't have the room for the tank and stuff to do it.
The only thing I see might be a problem is the S/S ring around the out side diameter of the wheel.