Clean up a steering wheel
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Fleet Owner
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 25,421
Likes: 5,430
From: Central PA
Clean up a steering wheel
I won a good used steering wheel for my '54 on ebay. It arrived today. It is in great shape. It has no cracks. The only place where the gloss has worn off is on the vertical spoke that points to the 6.
What is the best way to clean up this wheel without hurting it. How can I make it shine even greater. Mild detergent then somethng to shine it? Armorall? Wax?
My plan was to fix my original wheel. But I knew that with my schedule it would be off my wheel for more than a couple of days. Then I thought I would buy a used wheel to put on the truck while I fix my original wheel and still be able to drive the truck.
I wanted to keep the original wheel since it is the one that Grandpa had his hands on. But after looking at the cracks on my wheel and where they are located, like on the spokes that have the grooves and then seeing the new used wheel, I had second thoughts about the work involved to get my wheel up to speed. I asked my wife for advice and she said why don't you hang it on the garage wall along with the other old parts from Grandpa's wife.
Not a bad idea. I have the old rusty tailgate, the worn out clutch and brake pedals, and the rusty, pitted F-100 hood letters and the Ford crest hanging on the walls of my garage.
Any advice? Fix it or hang it up?
What is the best way to clean up this wheel without hurting it. How can I make it shine even greater. Mild detergent then somethng to shine it? Armorall? Wax?
My plan was to fix my original wheel. But I knew that with my schedule it would be off my wheel for more than a couple of days. Then I thought I would buy a used wheel to put on the truck while I fix my original wheel and still be able to drive the truck.
I wanted to keep the original wheel since it is the one that Grandpa had his hands on. But after looking at the cracks on my wheel and where they are located, like on the spokes that have the grooves and then seeing the new used wheel, I had second thoughts about the work involved to get my wheel up to speed. I asked my wife for advice and she said why don't you hang it on the garage wall along with the other old parts from Grandpa's wife.
Not a bad idea. I have the old rusty tailgate, the worn out clutch and brake pedals, and the rusty, pitted F-100 hood letters and the Ford crest hanging on the walls of my garage.
Any advice? Fix it or hang it up?
Posting Guru
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 1,495
Likes: 2
From: Northwest Fl
I ran across a steering wheel repair kit on POR15's web site when I was looking for some frame paint, maybe it will work for you. http://www.por15.com/s.nl/it.A/id.1480/.f
Hotshot
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 16,900
Likes: 3,140
From: SE Wisc. (the Rust Belt)
Is the color worn off or just the shine? If it's just the shine have it clear coated. If the paint is worn through have the color matched and then have it clear coated. I filled the cracks in my '49's wheel with POR-15 and then had it painted black and had about a half dozen coats of clear so I would wear through the clear before getting to the black paint. It's over seven years and the shine is still great although it has developed cracks again, but that's for another post.
Senior User
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 403
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From: Syracuse, N.Y.
Clean up a steering wheel
Abe,
I have started repairing a steering wheel for my F1 under the tutelage of my father in law. He does restore them also. I ground the cracks down to the steel and then started filling them with some material, sorry I can't remember what it is. You then try to form it using tape before hardening to get the grooves for your fingers and then clear coat it as Bob says. He also says it's very important to get all the air out as thats how new cracks start to form.
Good luck. I vote restore. When and if you grind the wheel , wear some kind of mask as the steering wheel rubber smells awful and is probably some kind of carcinogen. Just my .02
Jeff
I have started repairing a steering wheel for my F1 under the tutelage of my father in law. He does restore them also. I ground the cracks down to the steel and then started filling them with some material, sorry I can't remember what it is. You then try to form it using tape before hardening to get the grooves for your fingers and then clear coat it as Bob says. He also says it's very important to get all the air out as thats how new cracks start to form.
Good luck. I vote restore. When and if you grind the wheel , wear some kind of mask as the steering wheel rubber smells awful and is probably some kind of carcinogen. Just my .02
Jeff
Cargo Master
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 2,202
Likes: 354
From: Mandan, ND
Originally Posted by 48fordjeffie
Abe,
I have started repairing a steering wheel for my F1 under the tutelage of my father in law. He does restore them also. I ground the cracks down to the steel and then started filling them with some material, sorry I can't remember what it is. You then try to form it using tape before hardening to get the grooves for your fingers and then clear coat it as Bob says. He also says it's very important to get all the air out as thats how new cracks start to form.
Good luck. I vote restore. When and if you grind the wheel , wear some kind of mask as the steering wheel rubber smells awful and is probably some kind of carcinogen. Just my .02
Jeff
I have started repairing a steering wheel for my F1 under the tutelage of my father in law. He does restore them also. I ground the cracks down to the steel and then started filling them with some material, sorry I can't remember what it is. You then try to form it using tape before hardening to get the grooves for your fingers and then clear coat it as Bob says. He also says it's very important to get all the air out as thats how new cracks start to form.
Good luck. I vote restore. When and if you grind the wheel , wear some kind of mask as the steering wheel rubber smells awful and is probably some kind of carcinogen. Just my .02
Jeff
Senior User
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 378
Likes: 0
From: Hudson, OH
Wheel
Cracks, Smacks, Shine, Schime, the best way to honor your Grandpa is to use it. Just throw some wax on it and enjoy
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Hotshot
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 16,900
Likes: 3,140
From: SE Wisc. (the Rust Belt)
Originally Posted by jimhackney
Cracks, Smacks, Shine, Schime, the best way to honor your Grandpa is to use it. Just throw some wax on it and enjoy
Clear coating woudl be the best, it'll shine but won't be slippery.
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Senior User
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 167
Likes: 0
From: St. Thomas, Ontario
I repaired cracks in mine with PC-7 epoxy putty. Grind out the crack, fill with putty, wait for it to harden then sand smooth. I thern gave the whole wheel a once over with some fine sandpaper, cleaned it really well with soap and water and painted with Krylon black paint for plastic. It looks like new.
Senior User
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 403
Likes: 0
From: Syracuse, N.Y.
Clean up a steering wheel
1952Henry,
I believe thats it . Thanks for filling in the blank. I'm not a body man, I just married his daughter.
Bob, It just makes common sense not to armor all your steering wheel. With apologies to your wife.
Jeff
I believe thats it . Thanks for filling in the blank. I'm not a body man, I just married his daughter.
Bob, It just makes common sense not to armor all your steering wheel. With apologies to your wife.
Jeff
Last edited by 48fordjeffie; Mar 28, 2007 at 10:54 AM.
Thread Starter
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Fleet Owner
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 25,421
Likes: 5,430
From: Central PA
I bought severl tubes of JB Weld. It is lying on my shop table. My questions were:
1. what is the best way to clean up my new fairly good wheel with the gloss off on the vertical spoke.
2. Should I just keep my new used wheel on the truck and relegate the original wheel to my "Grandpa's Rusted Parts Wall of Fame"? My doubt is, will I be able to make the old wheel look good with all the cracks in it and how long will it take me, and will it be worth it?
thanks for your advice!
1. what is the best way to clean up my new fairly good wheel with the gloss off on the vertical spoke.
2. Should I just keep my new used wheel on the truck and relegate the original wheel to my "Grandpa's Rusted Parts Wall of Fame"? My doubt is, will I be able to make the old wheel look good with all the cracks in it and how long will it take me, and will it be worth it?
thanks for your advice!
Cargo Master
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 3,338
Likes: 167
From: Harpswell Maine
I agree with others. I restored a banjo wheel on the 38 Woodie in my gallery many years ago using PC-7 after I vee'd the cracks some. I painted it with arylic enamel that was color matched (not a black wheel). I added flexthane additive to the paint. I did the wheel in the 80's. Unfortunately I sold it in the 90's. One comment, A rusty rim will be a problem. If it is badly cracked with rust on the rim, pass on fixing that wheel.