ConcoursMustang Forums
Restoring - General discussions that span across many different groups of years and models => Processes, Products & Techniques => Topic started by: koski19 on April 30, 2013, 11:27:10 PM
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Can cracked steering wheels be repair/refurbished? Also, does anyone have a technique to take out dings and dents in trim pieces or is this best left to metal refinishers..
As always Thanks......jeff
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Steering wheels can be repaired (with epoxy) then refinished. Believe Mustang Monthly has done how to articles at least a couple of times over the years
As far as repairing trim general its not a do it at home thing - at least not all of it. You'll need to strip the anodizing, removed damage, sand and polish then re-anodize
If you have allot of time and patiences you can repair and send it out for replating. Did that on some of my trim (on the 71 Cougar) last year. Since I don't do it often it took allot of additional time (read days) and I would have been better off having someone else do the job IMHO
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For steering wheels, you don't really want to try and fix cracks larger than 1/16". They most likely will just crack up again and you'll have a tough time duplicating contours with big cracks.
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There is several guys out there that repair steering wheels, pricing doesnt seem too bad for the wheels I have sent in. This includes doing the woodgrain if needed depending on year. Agree with Jeff your time is probably better spent on other things unless this is the only project you have going on.
This is who I use as they are located in Phoenix:
http://www.therimblowbuddy.com/ (http://www.therimblowbuddy.com/)
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Steering wheels can be repaired (with epoxy) then refinished. Believe Mustang Monthly has done how to articles at least a couple of times over the years
As far as repairing trim general its not a do it at home thing - at least not all of it. You'll need to strip the anodizing, removed damage, sand and polish then re-anodize
If you have allot of time and patiences you can repair and send it out for replating. Did that on some of my trim (on the 71 Cougar) last year. Since I don't do it often it took allot of additional time (read days) and I would have been better off having someone else do the job IMHO
Reading back, I guess I wasn't too clear on what I was referring to. I was thinking more on trim pieces such as window trim, hub caps etc. I haven't spent any time trying to restore the original piece..Hub caps get those stone nicks and dings in them. I'd like to know the process of taking these dings and dents out.
I would assume a body hammer and dolly?.....Time consuming? Is it worth the trouble or replace with replicated parts or NOS?
jeff
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There is several guys out there that repair steering wheels, pricing doesnt seem too bad for the wheels I have sent in. This includes doing the woodgrain if needed depending on year. Agree with Jeff your time is probably better spent on other things unless this is the only project you have going on.
This is who I use as they are located in Phoenix:
http://www.therimblowbuddy.com/ (http://www.therimblowbuddy.com/)
Thanks for the link....I've got it in favorites.
Jeff
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Are the cracks here to far gone, I think I know the answer but just need to hear it from someone else...
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imo...yes.
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imo...yes.
+1 , that wheel is not worth fixing
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imo...yes.
+1 , that wheel is not worth fixing
thanks guys, my next question, are the reproduction wheels any good, or should I look out for a good 2nd hand one or perhaps a NOS?
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My steering wheel has 5 cracks and one of them is way larger than 1/4". I looked at one link mentioned above yesterday and it could run upwards to $500 to repair a steering wheel from what I read. One would need to call and talk with a tech rep. I'll start looking for a good rebuild candidate.
Jeff
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1/4" cracks? Throw it away, seriously. Not worth fixing at all.
As far as replacement, a super nice original or NOS would be first choice and then repro after that. Repro might need to be painted to match correctly.
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1/4" cracks? Throw it away, seriously. Not worth fixing at all.
As far as replacement, a super nice original or NOS would be first choice and then repro after that. Repro might need to be painted to match correctly.
That's what Jeff said too...and I would need to agree...Thanks for all the responses......jeff
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1/4" cracks? Throw it away, seriously. Not worth fixing at all.
As far as replacement, a super nice original or NOS would be first choice and then repro after that. Repro might need to be painted to match correctly.
How does the paint hold up on steering wheels? Mine is cracked and finding a NOS ivy gold interior steering wheel (dark green) probably won'y happen. And judging by the pictures on the website the Scott Drake equivalent won't come close to the color...
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How does the paint hold up on steering wheels? Mine is cracked and finding a NOS ivy gold interior steering wheel (dark green) probably won'y happen. And judging by the pictures on the website the Scott Drake equivalent won't come close to the color...
If you use rattle can paint, expect the wheel to chip/scuff easily and having to repaint every year or so. If you go with a quality catalyzed paint, like single stage urethane, it will hold up very well.
Would suggest to have a pro shop do this for you or get the color custom mixed at a paint store and do it yourself. The steering wheels will be a bit more glossy than the interior paint. This can be achieved by adding less flattening/matting agent.
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Dom,
I feel your pain. My original wheel looked just like yours and finding a NOS wheel for a '64 1/2 is just about impossible. I ended up buying a "better" core on ebay and had my restoration shop restore it - it wasn't rattle canned. It's been about two years (unfortunately not much use) and so far is holding up very well. I think the "right shop" can do a great job on a used wheel.
Greg
Wish I had some good "before" pics but here's some "after"
(http://i642.photobucket.com/albums/uu147/kutzoh/DSC_0135_zps05d11155.jpg) (http://s642.photobucket.com/user/kutzoh/media/DSC_0135_zps05d11155.jpg.html)
(http://i642.photobucket.com/albums/uu147/kutzoh/DSC_0314_zps2ce049bb.jpg) (http://s642.photobucket.com/user/kutzoh/media/DSC_0314_zps2ce049bb.jpg.html)
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Nice restoration
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Can cracked steering wheels be repair/refurbished? Also, does anyone have a technique to take out dings and dents in trim pieces or is this best left to metal refinishers..
As always Thanks......jeff
Jeff, window trim, hub caps and other thin metal trim pieces are all something you can repair yourself if you don't mind the time and patience it will take. Skill is helpful, if you already have it...great, if not, practice on something similar or on a piece you don't mind sacrificing.
I spent 2 days getting out all of the nicks, dents, scratches and creases that my 6 cylinder valve cover suffered over the years. An old pushrod came in handy for round areas as did a piece of Oak; it's a hardwood and helped with larger dents without it damaging any surrounding metal. A small hammer or better yet, a Trim Hammer that I purchased from Eastwood came in handy. I also used files, wet & dry sandpaper and a bright light to help see contrast. The biggest secret is to make small changes using light hammer taps and checking your work often to prevent overworking the area.
Stainless Steel Trim, Hub Caps, etc. take a little more finesse, (since you can't use primers and paint to hide little scratches) and ultimately polishing as the final step; also something you can do yourself if you don't mind the time and learning curve and can be done by hand if you don't have or want to spend the money for power equipment; it is definitely more time consuming.
I don't know how good some reproductions are as I either repair my original pieces or purchase NOS if the part is too far gone or just plain missing.
All the best.
Ray