steering wheel

[The Good Humor Man]

My steering wheel is cracked and looks like crap. Has anyone had any luck painting the steering wheel?
I know there are kits to repair the cracks, and there is a video on how to reapir them. I also heard of people using JB weld to repair the cracks.
There are new steering wheels that can be bought, but they are black, and mine is white, and I want to keep it white.
I would think if you paint it, it would be slick, and easy for your hands to slide around on the wheel.
Any thoughts would be appreciated before I decide what direction to go with it.

[The Good Humor Man]

Here is what I found... on other sites for anyone interested.

I restored two steering wheels using jbweld to fill in the cracks and
missing chunks. Then filed smooth and sanded. I used the aerosol
paint that you can buy from Woflsburg West. I used a 300 degree
heatgun to warm the wheel before I sprayed, and also dried with the
heatgun. It worked great. Don't get the heat gun too close, and
keep it moving as you dry the paint after. I put on three coats,
and it set up like baked on enamel.

This one is too long to copy, but good info. http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/arch ... 79359.html

[1971ford]

My '69's wheel had small cracks where they always get them, right where the supports mold into the center circle. I went with the JB weld method and sanded it down a little, I could of spent more time and made it real nice but I just got rid of the cracks and made it look like a perfect wheel unless you closely inspect it.

I sanded mine down with 200 grit i believe it was and sprayed it in krylon rattle can. lots of thin coats. I didn't expect much at first but i am very impressed with how it layed out and how it is holding up. The paint looks great, and after driving for a month or two your hands polish the outer ring even more so it's pretty much flawless
I tried picking at a section and the paint is REALLY on there. Very pleased. As far as hands sliding... pretty sure it's the same as it was originally, besides, I like my hands to be able to slide. I have never had a sliding issue... if i'm touching the wheel i'm usually grabbing it (manual steering in the 4x4) and no way my hand will slide. Then when i complete a turn i can let the wheel slide in my hands back as it returns the wheels to being straight.

[chicof100]

I have an NOS red steering wheel it fits the following:

C7TZ3600D Red Steering wheel actual applications: 1966 F100/250 2WD / 1966 F100 4WD / 1967/70 F100/250 2WD/4WD / 1967/70 F350 / 1967/73 Bronco.

It will fit: 1960/63 Falcon/Comet / 1966/73 Bronco / 1961/65 F100/250 2WD / 1966 F100 4WD / 1967/70 F100/350.

[survivorman]

POR-15 makes an expoxy putty kit for such emergencys

[Racer Z]

It is my belief that the plastic shrinks as it ages. The steel frame does not shrink.

I always wanted to try removing the plastic and build a wood cover for the spokes, hoop and hub. That would look sweet if it was done properly.

[Caseys71]

It is my belief that the plastic shrinks as it ages. The steel frame does not shrink.

I always wanted to try removing the plastic and build a wood cover for the spokes, hoop and hub. That would look sweet if it was done properly.

I like that idea. It wouldn't be hard at all to mimic the way that GM did the wooden steering wheels. Not sure which cars came equipped with them but they are from the late '60s-early '70s era and it seems like the wood that makes up the "hoop" of the wheel is slotted to fit over the steel of the wheel itself and is then fastened through the metal of the wheel itself with screws which grab the wood on the other side as well. Here's a picture of the wheel I'm talking about:

I believe that this style of wheel was in some Mustangs as well or at least I have seen this style of wheel in a few Mustangs. The wheels look really good but personally I think they look kinda corny as well since you can see the screws. Maybe if you did it that way but also used a counter-sink bit and filled the screw holes with plugs .

[jimmy828]

thanks guys.I got to say i find it a lot eazier to do my projects using this site.I guess that's worth my donation!!!!!