Steering Wheel Restoration Hint

Dennis/Arkansas

Dennis/Arkansas

Senior Member
Thought I'd share a hint to aid in restoring a '40 Standard steering wheel. I should state that I cannot afford a new reproduction steering wheel. When filling the numerous cracks with PC-7 I had no choice but to fill in the incised lines on the 2 spokes. I agonized (I frustrate easily) over how to recreate the lines. After several failed attempts, I stumbled on a tool for checkering gun stocks. I bought one off of eBay that cut 14 lines per inch. That is very close to original. I tested it on one spoke's bottom side and cut all new lines. It worked well. I still need to do a little finish work on them but I am pleased with the outcome. The lines come out parallel and the depth of cut is limited by the design of the tool. I've attached a couple of pics. Hope this helps someone.
 

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Timcharles, PC-7 is a 2 part epoxy available at most hardware stores. It sets slowly allowing plenty of time to work with it. While still wet, you can smooth it out with a finger dipped in lacquer thinner. Dennis
 
It might be easier to find a "thread repair" file at your local hardware or auto parts store than to find a gun checkering file which would most likely be a mail order item.
 

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Another method of smoothing,is to lay waxed paper over the pc-7,and work it to shape.It won't work on compound curves,because the wax paper will wrinkle,and leave marks in the filler.On a simple curve,you can press against the filler with something flat,or roll it with something round.If you have no air bubbles between the filler,and paper,it will be very smooth when cured.DO NOT try to peel the paper off until fully cured.When cured,the paper will peel,without lifting the filler.
 
Some great tips here. I have a newer wheel to repair and today I tried to find PC-7 in the area. Checked ACO, Ace, Home Depot and even WalMart... none of 'em had even heard of it. I heard JB weld also works pretty good too. I'm not in a big rush so will keep looking around for PC-7, somebody in the area must have it.

Ron
 
raceron1120 said:
Some great tips here. I have a newer wheel to repair and today I tried to find PC-7 in the area. Checked ACO, Ace, Home Depot and even WalMart... none of 'em had even heard of it. I heard JB weld also works pretty good too. I'm not in a big rush so will keep looking around for PC-7, somebody in the area must have it.

Ron
Click to expand...
I have bought PC7 at my local ACE Hardware. JB Weld is good stuff, but it has no static hold.In other words, it does run off the object it is on. It does not work very well for fill. PC7 will stay where you put it until it hardens.
 
jerry grayson said:
I have bought PC7 at my local ACE Hardware. JB Weld is good stuff, but it has no static hold.In other words, it does run off the object it is on. It does not work very well for fill. PC7 will stay where you put it until it hardens.
Click to expand...

JB Weld worked fine for me. This is the first wheel I did.

PC230253.jpg


This is the second.

DSCN0522.jpg


Both had heaps of cracks.
 
That stuff sounds and looks pretty good. I'm going to have to try another ACE hardware for PC-7, I'm in a small town and they don't have it at the local ACE.

Thanks.
 
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