Restoring the wheel.

[Makandriaco]

I have a 59, a bit on the abandoned side. THe wheel is cracked at many places, some cracks as thick as a couple of mm. What can be used to fill those? or, what is the proper procedure to restore it?

Thanks

[N Kahn]

File all the cracks out until you reach good solid material. I use an epoxy called PC7, it is the best stuff out there. Fill in the cracks, don't try and do it in one go, take your time, let a layer dry then mix up some more, keep going until you have enough material built up to sand down and shape.
It is time consuming,don't cut corners let the epoxy dry, it takes 24 hours.

[Glen]

How do you color the epoxy? 

[Ken Perry]

There are places that recast steering wheels and guarantee them not to crack. They are also what ever colar you want not painted like you will have to do if you use epoxie.It is alot of work to fix a steering wheel.I talked to a shop last month and they quoted $400.oo for a 59 Cad steering wheel,plus shipping. I have there number, but there are a lot of places that do it. Hope this helps. Ken Perry

[gary griffin]

I sent my steering wheel to Stering wheel bob monity for repair. He said it was beyond repair and he installed a new rim on it and painted all of the cabin plastic knows and so forth to match. Expensive but fantastic job.

I have pictures of it in my restoration blog including e brake handle, radio push buttons and heater controls.

"New blog restoring my 1942-6719"

[Renato]

I remade many steering wheels. The most important to use epoxy. It will not crack again. Another useful info use plastic primer. Steel and plastic primer is not the same.

[Makandriaco]

Thank you all. Sorry that it took this long to answer. My car is now almost totally disasembled.

[Eagle Beach]

If i want to paint my steering white, what tupe of paint is best to use ?

[honestcaddy]

I have had great luck with using 3M's panel bond, sanding then priming with epoxy primer and then finishing with a single stage enamel.
j.Myren

[Makandriaco]

6 years later...

[BillR. CLC # 29203]

Great insight on the question asked.
I got the PC-7.
My plan is to prep the steering wheel, apply  the PC-7 and sand it smooth.
I'm thinking of letting the professional painter that did the exterior of the car apply his primer so he will know what he is starting with.
Thoughts?
Thanks in advance.
Bill Rodwick
CLC # 29203

[dinhnguyen57]

I have no experience with epoxy repair but the people who offer service to do this quoted be around $700-$800 that includes the epoxy repair and paint.  They do not offer any warranties and says the steering wheel is old.

The one guy who cast a new steering wheel will guarantee it will never crack as mentioned in the previous post, the color is in the casting.  Also, the casting has the same texture that is hard to duplicate with an epoxy repair.  He quoted me around $2000.  That would include re-chroming of the steering wheel.  (The center cap and horn ring is not included in this service.)

[BillR. CLC # 29203]

Good information.
Thanks!!!

[BillR. CLC # 29203]

Quick question:
On the '59 Steering there are four (4) chrome rings. In addition to cracks elsewhere on the wheel these chrome rings are loose, the steering wheel material has "shrunk" at these rings and the rings are now loose. Should I use painter tape to hold the ring from moving and epoxy around it or is there a batter way to do this?
Thanks in advance.
Bill Rodwick
CLC#29203