Well after looking high and low for a steering wheel ( even checked with Tin Man ) decided I am just going to have to fix mine. Hade some 1/2" gaps so 2 part liquid epoxy wouldn't work, too runny so I found some two part metal epoxy putty,worked pretty good. Ready for final prep and paint. Just wondering if I should go 2 tone or single colour same as dash? Always liked 2 tone wheels, was thinking outer ring a tan colour and inner ring/spokes same as dash. Just don't know how good it would look with outer ring darker than centre. Here's where I'm at so far, always nice to have an extra steering shaft to use for painting. What do you guys think about colour,2 tone or single? Thx Jim
I like your two tone idea Jim. You'll get the "that's not original" comments but who cares unless you are trying to make your car 100% correct, which you obviously aren't. I think that will look cool.
beaumontguru said
Oct 19, 2014
THere is a product called PC-7 Epoxy available at every hardware store in the USA, it is what the eastwood company sells for steering wheel restorations, its a 2 part thick epoxy, works fantastic. But only in the US
Also, all America cars had wheels made of softer black material that only develop hairline cracks, you could pick up a US nova wheel and fix it in 2 seconds, then paint. I have personally done this route about 25 times.
Just some thoughts on wheel restorations, may help all of us out.
Greaser said
Oct 19, 2014
beaumontguru wrote:
THere is a product called PC-7 Epoxy available at every hardware store in the USA, it is what the eastwood company sells for steering wheel restorations, its a 2 part thick epoxy, works fantastic. But only in the US
Also, all America cars had wheels made of softer black material that only develop hairline cracks, you could pick up a US nova wheel and fix it in 2 seconds, then paint. I have personally done this route about 25 times.
Just some thoughts on wheel restorations, may help all of us out.
This PC-7 is available at Home Hardware on this side of the border....same thing?
I was a member of Classic Chevy International back in the 90's, and they did a steering wheel restoration. They used "Marine-tex" which should be readily available at any boat shop. Seeing you're in Sooke, there should be some on every corner.
If I recall, it comes in gray or white. On the box it states "Handles like putty, hardens like steel, sands like wood". Should cost less than $15.
beaumontguru said
Oct 19, 2014
Wow, yup thats the stuff, i guess they finally came to canada, i would recomend it, Virtually Zero shrinkage.
seventy2plus2 said
Oct 19, 2014
Here's a photo of the Marine-Tex box, with a can just to show the size. Should be available at any boat parts place, plenty of those on the island.
Wow, yup thats the stuff, i guess they finally came to canada, i would recomend it, Virtually Zero shrinkage.
Thanks guys, nobody likes shrinkage . Have Home Hardware and marine outlet in Sooke, but still no Tim's
markus said
Oct 22, 2014
Maybe there is hope for some of my wheels. Looks good . what kind of paint do you use??
hawkeye5766 said
Oct 23, 2014
Well picked up some PC-7(hope it's the right stuff) should have asked earlyer. Nice stuff to work with, sand it down, final sealer and ready for paint. Might go silver poly (left over from another job) on outer ring with gold in the middle, that way I have a darker colour in the center. what do you guys think of the colour or is it too bright? Guess if I don't like I can always repaint. Mark: I use a DP40 primer/sealer then I will spray 3 or 4 base coats and then 3 clear coats( PPG brand ). If you lived closer I'd tell you to bring them over ( but that might be a long drive )
Well, got my steering wheel finished today. What a crapload of work, spent about 5 hrs out on the deck sanding all the nooks and crannies. My fingers are about to fall off. Now it looks so nice I don't want to touch it, but that might make it a bit hard to drive the car. Colour of the two tone doesn't look as bright as I thought it would, I kinda like it
You're too hard on yourself Jim, it really does look cool, era correct even if it's not authentic.
Lefty said
Oct 26, 2014
looks perfect, i would suggest you clear coat it where did you get the new Paint dividers ?? (small chrome rings) i bought some from the US but they were so hard i could not get them on
markus said
Oct 26, 2014
wow that looks sweet .makes me want to get out there and try my hand at it.
you sure do nice work.
markus
hawkeye5766 said
Oct 26, 2014
Thanks guys. Lefty: it has 4 coats of base for each colour and 3 coats of clear with a little extra hardner in it to toughen it up. Got the paint dividers of ebay and yes their hard as rock, had to file and notch groves. the clear was still a bit soft so I didn't want to force them on yet,they can still go down another 1/16th or so. Mark: It's not all that bad to do just takes alot of time and the pc7 is great stuff to work with. Took it down with 100grit untill close and then went to 220 grit. Primed and wet sanded with 600 grit then painted.
The hardest part was making the paint divider grooves, I just used a small file and filed untill they were the right width and depth.
-- Edited by hawkeye5766 on Sunday 26th of October 2014 11:38:07 PM
A Betty Page suicide knob (some called them spinners) would more likely keep your attention on the steering wheel.
More an item from the Fifties cars than 60's.
Gee, every time I drove I would have my hands all over her!
jmont64 said
Oct 27, 2014
Good job there Jim, was fun to follow your progress.
hawkeye5766 said
Oct 27, 2014
Thanks Jerel, the last 10 months of bringing the car back into the shop and joining this site have been some of the most enjoyable things I've done in the years, and am having a blast doing both.
GrtDanes said
Oct 27, 2014
If you don't mind Jim id like my hnds all over er too by golly
4SPEED427 said
Oct 27, 2014
hawkeye5766 wrote:
Thanks Jerel, the last 10 months of bringing the car back into the shop and joining this site have been some of the most enjoyable things I've done in the years, and am having a blast doing both.
And most of us (with the exception of GrtDanes) are enjoying your company Jim!
hawkeye5766 said
Oct 27, 2014
Thanks Carl, Dougs O.K. most of the time. Just have to make sure you catch him after his nightcap, or 2,or 3,or 4...........................
Liking the wheel colour the more I look at it and it even looks better on the car. Don't be looking at the pic's on the door!!! Don't know who put them there
Well after looking high and low for a steering wheel ( even checked with Tin Man ) decided I am just going to have to fix mine. Hade some 1/2" gaps so 2 part liquid epoxy wouldn't work, too runny so I found some two part metal epoxy putty,worked pretty good. Ready for final prep and paint. Just wondering if I should go 2 tone or single colour same as dash? Always liked 2 tone wheels, was thinking outer ring a tan colour and inner ring/spokes same as dash. Just don't know how good it would look with outer ring darker than centre. Here's where I'm at so far, always nice to have an extra steering shaft to use for painting. What do you guys think about colour,2 tone or single? Thx Jim
THere is a product called PC-7 Epoxy available at every hardware store in the USA, it is what the eastwood company sells for steering wheel restorations, its a 2 part thick epoxy, works fantastic. But only in the US
Also, all America cars had wheels made of softer black material that only develop hairline cracks, you could pick up a US nova wheel and fix it in 2 seconds, then paint. I have personally done this route about 25 times.
Just some thoughts on wheel restorations, may help all of us out.
This PC-7 is available at Home Hardware on this side of the border....same thing?
http://www.homehardware.ca/en/rec/index.htm/Paint-D%C3%A9cor/Painting-Supplies/Tape-Glue-Adhesive/Adhesives-Glues/Epoxies/1-2lb-2-Part-PC-7-Epoxy-Adhesive/_/N-2pqfZ67l/Ne-67n/Ntk-All_EN/R-I2040311?Ntt=epoxy
I was a member of Classic Chevy International back in the 90's, and they did a steering wheel restoration. They used "Marine-tex" which should be readily available at any boat shop. Seeing you're in Sooke, there should be some on every corner.
If I recall, it comes in gray or white. On the box it states "Handles like putty, hardens like steel, sands like wood". Should cost less than $15.
Wow, yup thats the stuff, i guess they finally came to canada, i would recomend it, Virtually Zero shrinkage.
Here's a photo of the Marine-Tex box, with a can just to show the size. Should be available at any boat parts place, plenty of those on the island.
Thanks guys, nobody likes shrinkage
. Have Home Hardware and marine outlet in Sooke, but still no Tim's 
Well picked up some PC-7(hope it's the right stuff) should have asked earlyer. Nice stuff to work with, sand it down, final sealer and ready for paint. Might go silver poly (left over from another job) on outer ring with gold in the middle, that way I have a darker colour in the center. what do you guys think of the colour or is it too bright? Guess if I don't like I can always repaint.
Mark: I use a DP40 primer/sealer then I will spray 3 or 4 base coats and then 3 clear coats( PPG brand ). If you lived closer I'd tell you to bring them over ( but that might be a long drive )
Well, got my steering wheel finished today. What a crapload of work, spent about 5 hrs out on the deck sanding all the nooks and crannies. My fingers are about to fall off. Now it looks so nice I don't want to touch it, but that might make it a bit hard to drive the car. Colour of the two tone doesn't look as bright as I thought it would, I kinda like it
Before After
nice work Jim, looks excellent.
looks perfect, i would suggest you clear coat it
where did you get the new Paint dividers ?? (small chrome rings)
i bought some from the US but they were so hard i could not get them on
wow that looks sweet .makes me want to get out there and try my hand at it.
you sure do nice work.
markus
Thanks guys. Lefty: it has 4 coats of base for each colour and 3 coats of clear with a little extra hardner in it to toughen it up. Got the paint dividers of ebay and yes their hard as rock, had to file and notch groves. the clear was still a bit soft so I didn't want to force them on yet,they can still go down another 1/16th or so.
Mark: It's not all that bad to do just takes alot of time and the pc7 is great stuff to work with. Took it down with 100grit untill close and then went to 220 grit. Primed and wet sanded with 600 grit then painted.
The hardest part was making the paint divider grooves, I just used a small file and filed untill they were the right width and depth.
-- Edited by hawkeye5766 on Sunday 26th of October 2014 11:38:07 PM
contentinfo.autozone.com/znetcs/product-info/en/US/agi/35527-8/image/3/
A Betty Page suicide knob (some called them spinners) would more likely keep your attention on the steering wheel.
More an item from the Fifties cars than 60's.
Yup, wouldn't want a car with no balls
Gee, every time I drove I would have my hands all over her!
And most of us (with the exception of GrtDanes) are enjoying your company Jim!
Thanks Carl, Dougs O.K. most of the time. Just have to make sure you catch him after his nightcap, or 2,or 3,or 4...........................
Liking the wheel colour the more I look at it and it even looks better on the car. Don't be looking at the pic's on the door!!! Don't know who put them there