Steering wheel repairs for cracks

[Terrapin Z]

I did a bunch of searches using different text and could not find any threads regarding repairing cracked "wood" on the steering wheel. I have a series 1 wheel and when I removed the cheesy wheel cover I found these cracks.

My thought was to fill them with some stained epoxy. I am just not sure how that would work out especially the the spoke meets the "wood". It looks like the rust goes under the "wood" and I expect would keep rusting and splitting the connection.

I saw a lot of posts for cleaning the "wood" and repainting the spokes. Just no repairs for this.

Any input would be great.

Thanks

[zKars]

Wow, that might be the worst wheel damage I've ever seen. I'de suggest a thorough sand blasting, excluding the wood, with something relatively gentle, then fill the cracks with a filler that will take stain. Given the extensive nature of the cracking, you'll end up with some pretty obvious stain differences unless you take to someone who can recreate the grain appearance ontop of a solid paint job that will hide all the repairs. This = big $$.

You could always get a better condition Series 1 wheel unless you're super attached to that one. Let me know, I can set you up with on at a reasonable cost.

[jfa.series1]

+1 on zKars comments - your wheel may be beyond recovery, at least at a reasonable cost. You didn't say you're looking for a replacement but if so, I also have a completely refinished Series 1 wheel available for sale. You can PM me if interested and I'll send you pictures and details of the work on it.

[Terrapin Z]

Thanks for the offers Jim and Jim. I have a 72 wheel that is an easier clean up. I was just trying to find out if this S1 was even fixable to the point where it look proper, not necessarily a show piece. I just hadn't seen any posts about fixing any crack in the "wood" part. Seems to me like zKars Jim said big $ and a lot of work to make it look right.

Fortunately, I am not in it much so it might just end up on Ebay and the the bidders decide what it is worth.

Seriously though, has anyone attempted a repair like this, even just a small outer rim crack? Just curious now.

[Namerow]

Sometime, somewhere I recall reading about a wood repair of this type being done using a paste made up from sawdust and a binder. I can't remember the application (it certainly wasn't a Z steering wheel) and I can't remember what the binding agent was, but maybe this will jog someone else's memory (seems like a repair that might be appropriate to musical instrument). IIRC, the Z wheel's rim was made in a somewhat similar fashion (i.e. composite, rather than 'real' wood), so it might just work. I would certainly expect the sawdust paste to take woodstain better than just pure epoxy. Maybe worth experimenting on just one of the cracks?

[240260280z]

Maybe grinding material from another wheel with an epoxy of some sort. Dr. 240z used a 2 part clear epoxy that is used on bar tables (looks like a layer of glass) to finish his wheel.

[240260280z]

If you want to paint it (rather than stain) after repairing follow this process: AutoTraderClassics.com - Article Keep Your Original Steering Wheel!

[Terrapin Z]

Those look like possible options to try Namerow and Blue. Seeing how I am not in it for any real $ I might just give the sawdust epoxy a go and see how it turns out. I'm in no big rush to get this done. Originally I was thinking of adding some wood stain to the epoxy. I am not sure how that would react together chemically. The sawdust shouldn't have any effect on the epoxy in that sense.

Now I need to find some dark cherry wood or some deep mahogany to cut up and make sawdust out of.

[hr369]

google "simulated wood steering wheel repair" tons of stuff out there on these types

of wheels. Some should come with tint kits for the epoxy.

[jwtaylor]

Was that wheel from a wreck? It sure looks bad. It appears the outer part of the wheel has been pushed towards the front of the car. You may have to straighten that if it is.

The rust down in the joints is a problem. It looks like it is holding the wood out away form the steel. There are ways to remove the rust by electrolysis that may not cause further damage to the wood. After cleaning the rust form the wheel I would use the epoxy and saw dust filler. Use a wood that is close to the color you want the wheel finished color to be. Paduak or Bloodwood are redish colored woods that may work.