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steering wheel

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tahoe healey

tahoe healey

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Has anyone patched the cracks in the steering wheel? Bondo? Epoxy? any suggestion and on paint as well? Its not real bad. But why not?
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Rich
 
I do not recall the shop that did it, but I do recall that a restoration house (or something like that) was restoring the original wheels to like new condition. Seems to me you sent them the wheel and it comes back like new. I opted to go the "Moto Lito" wheel route. Perhaps someone knows the shop I am talking about?
 
The Eastwood Co. sells a restoration kit, however you can by the same product from most hardware stores. It is called PC7, comes in two cans that are mixed together.
 
The Eastwood Co. sells a restoration kit, however you can buy the same product from most hardware stores. It is called PC7, comes in two cans that are mixed together.

Dick
 
it takes a bit of talent to do this. I have tried on the original bugeye steering wheel which has no cracks just wear on the grips, and shaping the epoxy is very much a "developed" skill. You may be much better than myself, im looking for a moto lita. -Josh
 
Man, I was thinking more like fill, sand paper and paint. That is a lot of stuff which equates to a lot of work. Maybe I'll live with a few cracks.
Rich
 
Rich, don't lose faith. I went through the same thing, thinking about a wood wheel and not really liking the thought, then my buddy MD {a body man[kind of a funny moniker]} said its no problem. As I understand what he did was sanding, a little bondo and the key, paint that is used on bumpers. I sure like the look of the "new" steering wheel. Good luck and thank the good Lord for good friends. Jim
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Rich

I have repaired the Trafficator hub with JB weld. Once painted, you can't tell the difference! I beleive it and the steering wheel are Bakelite. JB Weld bonds well to the bakelite. The problem is paint.... You'll need to find an excellent sealing primer to stick to the old wheel. Krylon won't stick to the bakelite. It tends to form small droplets and when dry, is very grainey.

Go to your local hobby shop and get some "Cover Rite" epoxy paint and primer. The stuff doesn't cover worth a D@*#, but after about 8 coats, you'll have a hard, long wearing surface that looks good. Follow the instructions on the Cover Rite can. Light coats only; otherwise it runs and looks as bad as the Krylon.

Cheers
 
I repaired cracks near the hub of my bugeye steering wheel, and while at it, I re 'sculpted" the decorative ridges on the spokes. I used a two part epoxy (loctite #21245) With a dremel I widened the cracks to form a definite "V" groove, and filled that with the epoxy. The gash across those decorative ridges were just built up and later shaped with sandpaper. BTW I dispense this sticky stuff with a paper cone, made from about a four inch square piece of paper. Put the glue in with a stick, and roll the top down to squeeze the glue out of a small opening cut on the pointyside. As previously posted, The paint is the final key. You have to clean the heck out of the wheel to get any grease or wax off. I used some leftover black acrylic enamel.
My only "sacrifice" was to install a leather steering wheel glove, so I don't have to deal with wearing out the paint .
thumbsup.gif
 
I repaired cracks near the hub of my bugeye steering wheel, and while at it, I re 'sculpted" the decorative ridges on the spokes. I used a two part epoxy (loctite #21245) With a dremel I widened the cracks to form a definite "V" groove, and filled that with the epoxy. The gash across those decorative ridges were just built up and later shaped with sandpaper. BTW I dispense this sticky stuff with a paper cone, made from about a four inch square piece of paper. Put the glue in with a stick, and roll the top down to squeeze the glue out of a small opening cut on the pointyside. As previously posted, The paint is the final key. You have to clean the heck out of the wheel to get any grease or wax off. I used some leftover black acrylic enamel.
My only "sacrifice" was to install a leather steering wheel glove, so I don't have to deal with wearing out the paint .
thumbsup.gif
 
TH;
I did the Eastwood route using PC7 and shaping pretty close with lacquer thinner soaked rag. After curing(24hrs), I sanded to contour and blend, then primed with two part epoxy filler primer.(PPG) Then sanded and painted with Urathane black. It came out beautiful. You have to be careful never to push on the wheel if pushing the car. The wheel will flex, and crack the paint. (Don't ask how I know this).
I have since replace with a Derrington style Moto Lita wheel which I absolutely love.
Pete H.
 
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