Posted May 23, 20195 yr comment_576050 So, I’ve stumbled upon two 240z steering wheels in the past couple weeks during my junkyard explorations. They were really rough but were only $30 so I thought I attempt a home restoration. I thought I’d share my experience in this process. I know there are other posts but I don’t think anyone has posted a wheel that looked as bad as the one I’m restoring. I’ve completed the clean up and strip down. I used a small palm sander for the metal with 240 grit and 320 grit wet sand on the wood. I’ve masked the wood off and will prime, paint and clear coat the metal today. Here is the wheel as it looked after pulling for the rusted Z. It had some green algae on it too. Car was in a pseudo swap in Mississippi with no drivers door so I wasn’t surprised. Edited May 23, 20195 yr by Av8ferg Link to comment https://www.classiczcars.com/forums/topic/62221-steering-wheel-restoration/ Share on other sites More sharing options...
May 23, 20195 yr comment_576051 I'd like to see if you can get that light straw colour back... may be a light paint? Link to comment https://www.classiczcars.com/forums/topic/62221-steering-wheel-restoration/#findComment-576051 Share on other sites More sharing options...
May 23, 20195 yr Author comment_576053 So the wood/resin wheel portion of this steering wheel of mine sanded has that straw look you mentioned but wasn’t the original color a reddish mahogany. I was going to re-tint and then coat with a glossy polyurethane. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Link to comment https://www.classiczcars.com/forums/topic/62221-steering-wheel-restoration/#findComment-576053 Share on other sites More sharing options...
May 23, 20195 yr comment_576066 It seems the darker reddish-brown colour is from material aging (UV, hand oil/dirt). All early pictures I have seen indicate a light straw coloured wheel. Link to comment https://www.classiczcars.com/forums/topic/62221-steering-wheel-restoration/#findComment-576066 Share on other sites More sharing options...
May 23, 20195 yr Author comment_576067 Interesting, I’m restoring a shift knob I found on the same car. Was going to match them. I’ll post pics Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Link to comment https://www.classiczcars.com/forums/topic/62221-steering-wheel-restoration/#findComment-576067 Share on other sites More sharing options...
May 23, 20195 yr comment_576111 I used 0000 steel wool on mine then satin black on the metal. Looks good to me. Gear knob was dipped in minwax helsman satin poly about 20 times over a month or so. It filled in the cracks on the shift pattern map. Link to comment https://www.classiczcars.com/forums/topic/62221-steering-wheel-restoration/#findComment-576111 Share on other sites More sharing options...
May 23, 20195 yr Author comment_576115 Here is the knob sanded down. The shift knob map was totally destroyed. Trying to tint both the wheel and knob to match. Won’t be easy because they’re different materials and won’t accept color the same. Speaking of the shift knob map. A 5 speed Nissan one seems impossible to find but the old Toyota one looks almost identical. I just wonder if the diameter is the same. Here’s the shift knob map on a old FJ. It’s only $12Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Link to comment https://www.classiczcars.com/forums/topic/62221-steering-wheel-restoration/#findComment-576115 Share on other sites More sharing options...
May 23, 20195 yr comment_576124 11 hours ago, Av8ferg said: I don’t think anyone has posted a wheel that looked as bad as the one I’m restoring. That is pretty bad, you definitely win the award if you can bring that one back. Link to comment https://www.classiczcars.com/forums/topic/62221-steering-wheel-restoration/#findComment-576124 Share on other sites More sharing options...
May 24, 20195 yr comment_576137 That shift knob looks like it will go to the correct light straw colour with a clear coat or slight tint. Link to comment https://www.classiczcars.com/forums/topic/62221-steering-wheel-restoration/#findComment-576137 Share on other sites More sharing options...
May 24, 20195 yr comment_576140 I think the "wood" on the steering wheel is actually a resin of sorts that looks like wood. I would be surprised if it accepted stain or other treatments made for wood. Link to comment https://www.classiczcars.com/forums/topic/62221-steering-wheel-restoration/#findComment-576140 Share on other sites More sharing options...
May 24, 20195 yr Author comment_576145 Metal bars came out pretty good. Gonna let the paint cure for 24hrs and then start on the wood. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Link to comment https://www.classiczcars.com/forums/topic/62221-steering-wheel-restoration/#findComment-576145 Share on other sites More sharing options...
May 24, 20195 yr comment_576159 The Phoenix Thread! I love it! Link to comment https://www.classiczcars.com/forums/topic/62221-steering-wheel-restoration/#findComment-576159 Share on other sites More sharing options...
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