STEERING WHEEL IMPOSSIBLE RESTORATION?

[bruffsup]

This is a huge mystery.No one even in the Lagonda club can tell me how the rim of this steering wheel on my 1934 M45 Lagonda was coated..

The  main issue is that the wheel is hollow with holes which when covered in whatever early 'plastic"were  used provide finger grips.  A top USA steering wheel restoration shop can not help. 

The chap suggested filling all the indents with bondo  and sanding and painting.  I thought about using the old "racer" trick of wrapping in cord but feel that is a cop out and I like the original thin feel of the original finish. 

Restoration companies in the UK will not reveal the secret  and I have heard horror  stories of year long waits with exorbitant prices so am avoiding that route. I am aware of kits to coat tool handles with plastic

but that will obviously not work .  

[Larry Schramm]

I would try the plastic tool coating before I did anything.  I would pour maybe a quart in a long tray and rotate/ dip the steering wheel in the liquid.

 

What do you have to lose?  Maybe $30.00?  You can always take it off if you do not like it.

 

https://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_ss_i_3_9?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=tool+coating+dip&sprefix=tool+coat%2Caps%2C147&crid=3JN21Q1KNPLRO

[bruffsup]

you are correct and probably worth a try. I was thinking of filling the hollow interior with expanding foam and then shaping  the indents beforehand. 

[Larry Schramm]

I would not.  I would just clean the old covering off it, sand blast it to have a good adhesion surface, and then dip it.

 

You might find that it might work some, but might want to explore a different coating material like a two part epoxy solution.  That way you would still have the finger indents.

Edited December 3, 2017 by Larry Schramm (see edit history)

[Friartuck]

Suggest contacting David Shrock at Shrock Brothers: http://shrockbrothers.com/  Look under the Studebaker Parts Tab for their work with steering wheels. They are in North Central Penn. David and his brother Tom perform steering wheel restoration for Studebaker using resins and a pressurized process they developed in house. Have them take a look to see if they can help. They also cast parts and miniature toys.

 

Another option is several coats of powder coating........

Edited December 4, 2017 by Friartuck (see edit history)

[bruffsup]

Here is how I repaired it. It was lots of work welding in those little plugs!  Powder coat base then paint.  I am pleased with the results 

 

[hidden_hunter]

Came up really nicely :-)

[bruffsup]

Thanks ! It is not perfect but I am happy with it.

[keiser31]

Great idea and outcome.

[Friartuck]

Could you elaborate on the materials and process used?

[bruffsup]

not much to tell other than what I have shown here. I made up some dies to shape the small washers  which I brazed in place

This was as you can imagine time consuming and in retrospect it might have been easier to silver solder them in place.Any pinholes I filled with Devcon Titanium putty

which can withstand 250 degrees F.  The company that does powder coating for me turned their furnace down a tad for this as it usually runs at 275 F.  The powder was used as a base for the final painting which started with black epoxy primer. Not sure what the final coat was but I will check  for you and get back. Thanks for your interest. 

[Coley]

The idea of using large shrink tubing came to mind. The wheel would have to be cut open to slip it on, but easily welded back together.  Then work it back over the weld and heat gun it to get it to shrink tight on the wheel.  How is that for 2 cents worth?

[jpage]

I've seen a similar wheel that was machined on a CNC machine. The new wheel rim was painted and installed. Not cheap but almost perfect!