Steering wheel restoration

Have a red steering wheel in my 64 Savoy that is cracked to crap. Some vendors want $950 to restore. Any other options that are cheaper and still look good in a new interior (Super Stock). Not doing a total clone, but rather period correct restoration. Will the non savoy 64 or 65 steering wheel repops work? Thanks for your replies. Spook

Thinking out loud - I wonder if fiberglass resin will work to repair the cracks? You'd want to open each one up a bit with a file to make a shallow groove to get it to stick. Then sand and finish.

I think the non-savoy wheel will not work because the plastic center has a big piece missing for the fancier horn bar. The savoy uses a simple round center horn button.

The non savoy wheel is this one, see the big gap:
http://www.kramerauto.com/prodimages/large/N19-SG-004-1.jpg

http://www.kramerauto.com/prodimages/large/N19-SG-004-2.jpg

Maybe a 65 wheel would work? I am not sure, just an idea:
http://www.beaparts.com/images/item_images/260-R65.jpg

You could try this: http://www.stwheelz.com/quote.html

You could try this: http://www.stwheelz.com/quote.html

Thanks for the plug Coronet 500!

Here are a few pictures of an early 60's B-body wheel I did and a couple of links to a thread (on DodgeCharger.com) with lots of pictures showing my process and also my "The Steering Wheel Guy" Facebook page ... and of course my web site at: www.stwheelz.com

http://www.dodgecharger.com/forum/index.php/topic,36526.0.html

http://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Steering-Wheel-Guy/200617011737?ref=ts

Check them out and feel free to ask any questions you might have.

Thanks everyone!

Doug Lepak
The Steering Wheel Guy

before

after

after

roughly how much for this one. thnx; rick

Hi Rick, I'd have to see some pictures of the actual wheel you are wanting to have restored. There are too many variables involved to give a price without seeing it. The best way to do this is to e-mail me at : stwheels@shaw.ca

Here are the questions I request answers to so along with the answers and a few pictures of your wheel I can give you a price and turn around time.

Hi , Thanks for your questions and interest in my services.

Listed below are the questions I request potential customers to answer so I can give a quote and turnaround time for their wheel. The answers to these questions and a few pictures of your wheel will give me all the information required to provide a quote.

1-Please describe any cracks, damage or other problems that will need to be repaired. Was this particular wheel ever repaired/refinished before, that you know of?
( )

2-What color/colors is your wheel? Is it Wood grained, does it have chrome stripes, metal clips etc ...

( )
3-What year, make and model vehicle does the wheel belong to?

( )

4-Where do you live (shipping address)?

( )

5-Please attach a few clear, in focus pictures of the wheel showing any cracks damage or other problems
(Front and rear)


I look forward to hearing back from you with the rest of the information I've requested and I hope I'll be able to help you with your restoration project.

Thanks, Doug Lepak
The Steering Wheel Guy
8449-14 ave
Edmonton, Alberta
Canada
T6K-1X3
780-450-1397
web site: www.stwheelz.com

HOME OF THE

I was thinking about a 65 wheel...have a question into Kramer regarding application. The wheel is not the same as a 64 but then the 572 hemi is not exactly original either. Thanks for your replies and information. Spook

Try Garys in he did my wood grain and does a teriffic job. much less than 900.
c:

Who is Garys? Do you have a full name/ business/ or website? Thanks.

correct wheel looks best
get it rebuilt

correct wheel looks best
get it rebuilt

Yep, the original wheels usually look the best but if you aren't doing a total restoration feel free to mix and match.

Here is a 70/71 rim blow wheel I mounted up in my 67 Coronet. After slightly modifying the A-body crush-can/adapter, it fit perfectly on the 67 steering column and located the wheel in exactly the same driving position as the original rim would have been.

I also mounted a Silver modified rim blow wheel for a while (the groove for the horn switch was filled in and the horn mechanism was mounted under the center cap)

The wheel that's in the car now is a 66/67 wood grain wheel that was finished in Black with an Orange stripe and a couple of Chrome stripes around the outer circumference.

The last shot shows the original 67 Black wheel with a bit of airbrushing on the horn cap (my boys are skateboarders so I painted the "Screaming Hand" on the horn cap)

Sent my wheel to Gary's steering wheel restoration....waiting to hear from him re: estimate, ect. Will let the group know how this goes. Thanks for the replies.

Spook120,

Any updates on the wheel & Gary...estimate...turnaround time...?

Thanks.

I'll have to try redoing one of these someday.

Hey, I apologize for abandoning this post. Here is Gary's web address; http://garyssteeringwheel.com/. Turn around time for my wood grain was 6 weeks best I remember. He did it over a year ago and it still looks great. I recommend him without reservations.

If you would like to see my wheel pictures are on my post.

Good Luck

Gary has my steering wheel with down payment. Seems to be a great guy. Was told 6-8 weeks turn around time. Will let the board know when it is done and my opinion of work. Thanks. Spook

I'll have to try redoing one of these someday.

I just started restoring a wheel for my '64. So far so good.

Good luck to you. Was going to do it myself but then a man needs to know his limitations and sent it to a pro. Spook

Yeah - we'll see how it turns out - my first try at it. My daughter and I are working on it together - so that makes it a lot of fun.

Ok. Got my steering wheel back from Gary's. It is absolutely like new. I am amazed! Not cheap but done right. Would recommend his work without hesitation. Spook

Ok. Got my steering wheel back from Gary's. It is absolutely like new. I am amazed! Not cheap but done right. Would recommend his work without hesitation. Spook

picture ? we need pictures
:worthless_thread::worthless_thread::worthless_thr ead::worthless_thread::worthless_thread:

Have absolutely no idea how to do the picture thing. Sorry. Spook

Note: Photos saved as smaller files tend to be easier.

1. Save pictures to a file on your computer or simply have your camera attached (must be turned on) to your computer acting as an external storage (drive).
2. Select Reply (don't use the quick reply button) for your post
3. Above to text box select the 'paper clip' icon right of the 'smiley face' in the tool bar
4. In the pop-up window Select 'Browse'. This will enable you to find the photo(s) you wish to share
5. Select (highlight) the photo, then hit the 'open' button at the bottom right of the window
6. If you have more than one photo, repeat steps 4 & 5.
7. Once you have loaded what you wish to share hit the upload button right of the Browse buttons. In the middle of that window you will see in Blue, a rectangle that says, "Current Attachments" and it should list the photo(s) selected. If it is correct, you can close this window.
8. Type in any text you need to explain the photos, then hit the 'Preview Post' button at the bottom of this box. It will display how your post will be viewed (hopefully with the photo).
9. You can then scroll down to edit your text or scroll further and hit the 'Submit reply' button for all of FBBO to see!

My wheel is currently at Gary's Whell Restoration. Photos are what I started with. Te wheel was virtually worn smooth. You can still see some graining in the finger reliefs.

Here is the wheel with 'graining' applied. he will be clear coating it with a satin (original) finish. Even put in the faux wood joints.

Gary is finished with my wheel. I expect it back in the next week or two. Will post photos of the completed wheel once I have it back.

Got my original woodgrain wheel back from Gary's Steering Wheel Restoration out of Carlisle, PA. It looks great! Hopefully the photos do it justice.

Looks great!

If it is a solid color wheel you can v out the cracks and fill it with jb weld.
Getting it clean is the most important part.

I'm getting good results using PC-7 for the filler.