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Steering Wheel Restoration

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1965_MGB

1965_MGB

Jedi Warrior
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I was digging around my garage, and came across my original banjo steering wheel. Most of the plastic is now missing, split off in many sharp pieces.

My question is, could I use fiberglass to wrap the wheel to it's original thickness, paint it and then put one of the leather wheel covers on it and get a decent result?

I have sniffed around the web, and found lots of epoxy stuff that is made for filling cracks, but nothing for rebuilding the wheel entirely.

If I had access to a vacuum chamber and oven I would not mind doing it in carbon fiber, but since I don't I need to think of something else. There is still lots of stuff to do on the car, so the wheel will have to go to the back of the line, but sometimes I just get these thoughts running through my brain.

Any advice or experience is greatly appreciated.
 
Did my entire 1949 Triumph wheel with PC 7. The steel on that wheel had the finger grips in place. It can be done. Lots of sanding. 2pts will do it.

Paul
 
Nope - if you're not gonna use it personally, no way to waste your time.
 
I just had a look at the PC7 page, and it looks interesting. I have read some stuff on the web where people have used it to repair cracks and such.

I guess I will have to weigh whether or not it is more cost effective to rebuild the original wheel or just get a new one from one of the parts houses.

Luckily, I have my Les Leston wheel on the car, so the original will just be a project for further down the road.
 
Eastwood sells a kit for that and they use PC-7 epoxy.
 
I am curious how the epoxy holds up to the rigors of driving, and the effects of the sun on it. Paul, have you had any issues with cracking in the wheel you restored?
 
None
It has been a year. However it is not in the sun. It is not on the car yet. I did drop it after painting and had to do a repair duh!!!!! I did use a light coat of automotive filler in some shallow areas that needed filling. It has to be tougher than the thin layer bakealight material that origininally coated mine.
Paul
 
ever think of making it a wood rim?
 
Here is a nice job done by a Forum member.
Tom's wheel
 
Wood would be great, but personally I can't cut a straight line with any type of saw. From the looks of things, I will probably just get another wheel and put the old wheel out to pasture as a decoration on my garage wall.

It would be nice if someone offered (for reasonable $) a kit to rebuild a wheel. I know there are services out there that can fix anything, but spending 4 or 5 hundred on a $200 wheel? I'm just not that sentimental with that one.

I spent a few bucks fixing the LL wheel, and I like how it came out.
 
Ask and you will receive.

Here is another alternative in case your no Bob Vila. ;-) British autowood This guy did the steering wheel in my E-type and it is drop dead gorgeous! I bet if you ask him, he could redo your wheel in wood. It cost me around 200 bucks and he was FAST. Ask him about supplying you with a kit and that will save a few dimes for you. I know he sells kits.
 
Thanks Jason. His stuff looks great. After the holidays, I will be sure to give him a call.
 
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