Repop steering wheel finish

fordfun

fordfun

Member
When I acquired my 1929 Sport Coupe a few years ago it came with a steering wheel cover. The other day I removed the cover and found a great deal of molding flash along the parting line of the wheel. (Hopefully today's replacement wheels are better, as this was definitely an older restoration.)

Initially I tried sanding the flash off, but found that it scuffed the wheel so I ended up skiving it off with a small utility knife. The material I removed was rubber-like, and was easily cut off. I'm wondering whether the scuffed surface can be restored, perhaps by polishing? I already tried rubbing in some silicone, and when that didn't do it I tried some past wax with no improvement. Any thoughts on what to try next?
 
If I remember Snyders have the instructions on refinishing the wheel, look in the steering wheel section.
 
Give it a sanding with fine (600 wet or dry, or finer) sandpaper, then some rubbing compound, then finish off with some polish/finish. It's a lot like finishing your paint. Keep in mind the wheel should be a dull finish, not shiny, to be authentic.
 
I agree sand it down with fine and when the wheel is in the condition you want then get some boot paste from the shoe repair or finer shoe stores. After I restore an original S wheel I put on a heavy coat of the paste wax black shoe polish. NOT the hard stuff but the gooey yogurt consistency stuff. Let it sit for a few weeks to let it soak into the wheel and then just wipe it off without polishing it and you will have the most original finish you can have. Be careful not to polish it or you will have to strip and do it over.
That's how I do the originals so should work on a repop wheel I should think.
 
Thanks for all of the valuable suggestions. I'll get busy and put them to work.

Bill W. - great suggestion about the potato peeler. Wish I had thought of it before grabbing the utility knife.
 
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