1974 Eldorado Steering Wheel Inlay

[danjarrett1]

Does anyone have a suggestion on who restores inlays on the steering wheels? Say a video on a guy that suppposidlyndoes it, but it was dated 2005. Any suggestions? Thanks

[Mike Josephic CLC #3877]

There is a guy who sells a reproduction "wood like" inlay
to replace your broken one.  Here's his U-Tube video as
to how that works.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cc-kFOoEjCA

I've never tried this but I've heard his repro
is very good.

Mike

[danjarrett1]

Thanks Mike. I found a guy that makes them, ordered it today, $325 plus shipping. Seemed pricey but not everyone can produce them.

[TJ Hopland]

Usually what seems to make the 'wood' crack and fall out is cracks in the wheel itself.  Or is yours cracked and you are hoping just replacing the wood will be good enough for your needs. 

[SaltLife97]

I can vouch for the aforementioned guy! Well WELL worth the $325! The quality is insanely good down to the chrome pinstriping. It makes a WORLD of a difference. This is my wheel although I fixed the cracks myself but you can tell the inlay makes a difference.

[danjarrett1]

Yes, great guy, he is shipping one today to me. Looking forward to installing. Getting the old one out was a mess, he suggested taking to 1000 grit sandpaper and smoothing it out along with polishing with a  little cutting rubbing compound. Should be here in a few days via FedEx

[TJ Hopland]

How/what did you use to fill in the cracks?

[danjarrett1]

The replacement inlay that is being sent does not have a "T-configuration like the factory does. It's flush with the first trim detentions and held in place with adhesive tape as I understand it

[SaltLife97]

How/what did you use to fill in the cracks?

After first prepping the cracks with a dremel and making a V cut along the edge of the cracks, I used a two part epoxy putty stick that hardens like rock within minutes. After which I sanded down the excess with the shape of the steering wheel going up in grit until you couldn't tell the difference. Then paint and clearcoat!

[TJ Hopland]

Then paint and clearcoat!

I presume you did the whole wheel?  Paint, inlay, then clearcoat over the inlay? What paint did you use?   And how much driving have you done so far and is the paint showing any signs of issues?

[danjarrett1]

Just the inlay, w]the wheel itself is in great shape. Going to wet sand it a little around the inlay to cleanup the area, light rubbing compound to polish it out. No crack in the wheels itself. Inlay should be delivered today

[SaltLife97]

I presume you did the whole wheel?  Paint, inlay, then clearcoat over the inlay? What paint did you use?   And how much driving have you done so far and is the paint showing any signs of issues?

Correct, where ever there were minor cracks s well I dremeled a "valley" and filled, sanded, primed. The inlay went on last and I did not cleat coat it honestly. Paint was Firethorn Red GM code in an aerosol can and it looks great after a few coats of paint, and nearly 4 or 6 coats of clearcoat! No bubbling and it looks nice and smooth. Since then I've used it in the Florida sun many times and it has not shown sign of wear. The wheel looks brand new since Janurary now!

[TJ Hopland]

Interesting, I would have considered coating the inlay too.  Also interesting that the inlay still fit with all those layers of paint and clear coat. Seems like a really good option.  I would imagine if you decided it wasn't good enough you could still send it to one of the resto places.  I assume they remove all the old plastic and take it down to the metal frame so having some 'failed' repairs wound not effect what they do.

[danjarrett1]

That's true, but I think this will work, will install new inlay this weekend