I was able to get two screws into the broken side of my steering wheel after clamping and gluing the rim into place. The pictures look really bad but even broken the wheel was actually pretty strong but after getting the two stainless steel screws in place, the wheel is now extremely strong.
I would like to keep this original steering wheel and thought I would find some product that would work well to fill all the wood cracks and then sand the wheel smooth and concentric. Once this was done I was thinking of fiberglass the rim.
All comments and ideas appreciated.
(http://www.1948plymouth.info/1929/images/Build/SteeringWheel01.jpg) (http://www.1948plymouth.info/1929/images/Build/SteeringWheel02.jpg)
(http://www.1948plymouth.info/1929/images/Build/SteeringWheel03.jpg) (http://www.1948plymouth.info/1929/images/Build/SteeringWheel04.jpg)
I have had good results with Elmers Damged Wood Repair system. It comes in two parts, you mix equal amounts together. It sets in about 10 min and cures in less than an hour. It can be sanded, drilled and stained. It is available in most big hardware stores for about $17. Well worth the money.
I used a clear two part expoxy from Home Depot. I got the stuff that was a 5 minute cure. I only had some dry rot at the end of a spoke (steering wheel). I used a drill to drill out the rotted stuff. It was like I was playing dentist and drilling out a cavity.
I believe kimmc used 2 part epoxy with sawdust as a filler. Bondo in thin layers to fill holes and cracks?
Thanks all for the info. The weather here is pretty lousy today so I might take a look in the Marine Stores for a possible solution. I want to find something that won't have a negative chemical reaction to a fiberglass coating. Just in case I go that route. I will check out the large box hardware suppliers and get a read on the Elmer's Damaged Wood Repair system John mentioned. If I can sand it and stain it that would be a big plus.
Chet...
John,
The Elmer's "Damaged Wood" repair system was awesome !! (http://www.1948plymouth.info/1929/images/Build/SteeringWheel05.jpg) Once the two part putty was mixed together it worked like plumber's putty and stayed soft for quite awhile. The directions say 1 hour. You get a lot of putty for the money and I think I only used 15% to repair my badly damaged steering wheel. The color of the dried epoxy is yellow pine.
Below are the results. I will try a stain on the wheel first. to see how it looks. It sanded as smooth as a baby's butt.
(http://www.1948plymouth.info/1929/images/Build/SteeringWheel06.jpg) (http://www.1948plymouth.info/1929/images/Build/SteeringWheel07.jpg)
(http://www.1948plymouth.info/1929/images/Build/SteeringWheel08.jpg)
Looks good! Would like to see finished wheel and wonder how much stain it will take. If you recall, my wheel is painted black...not sure if correct or not.
Ted
Quote from: racertb on May 22, 2017, 02:45:09 PM
Looks good! Would like to see finished wheel and wonder how much stain it will take. If you recall, my wheel is painted black...not sure if correct or not.
Ted
Hi Ted,
I'm pretty sure that black was the color of the steering wheel. I had some Bombay Mahogany Stain & Polyurethane lying around the garage so I used it just to see how it would look. I can always sand and paint over the stain. Below are the results. The flash makes it appear lighter in regular dull light it looks almost black. I had a black steering wheel cover that I will most likely replace.
I'm just glad it's in one piece and usable. 200% better than it was with the proper amount of distress for an 80 year old.
(http://www.1948plymouth.info/1929/images/Build/SteeringWheel09.jpg)
(http://www.1948plymouth.info/1929/images/Build/SteeringWheel01.jpg)
If you do nothing else, it looks 1000% better. Even if you keep the stain and maybe add some more, it looks nice. Definitely useable now 😃
Nice Chet! Just remember this is not a high falutin Chrysler!
Quote from: frankp on May 24, 2017, 07:33:48 PM
Nice Chet! Just remember this is not a high falutin Chrysler!
LOL.., Don't worry Frank we are a long way away from high anything. :)