Wrap the steering wheel with rope?

[DRG-ler]

Hello guys, I have a question.

My Bakelite steering wheel doesn't feel very nice and you always get dirty fingers because the Bakelite rubs off. I've tried cleaning several times, but it keeps coming back.

Now I would like to try to wrap the steering wheel with a rope / cord. Like in this picture.

https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikiped...ing_wheel.jpeg

Is also visually more appealing. Question: Does anyone know the winding technique that you don't see any knots like here? Has anyone ever done that?

Greetings from Berlin Andy

[Mister Moose]

Look into marine articles on this, it's a common practice. Dirt shows after a while, nothing is perfect.

[DRG-ler]

Well I drive with white gloves. Now they are getting dirty. When the cord is around, both should stay clean as possible. But time shows that. If necessary, you have to replace the cord again.

[Mister Moose]

Wow, sounds classy. OK. Once you've found a wrap style you like (There are several) look into a turks head knot to both hide a loose end and mark 12 o'clock on the wheel.

[WHN]

I have in the past painted an original steering wheel. It helped for a few years but wasn’t perfect.

I finally replaced wheel with a new one. Did not take long, looks great, and no more dirty fingers.

Enjoy.

[Tinbasher]

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Also look at Lashing. The same as finishing the end of a rope.

[katy]

Another option would be to paint the steering wheel.

[Anteek29]

Cord wrap will take time and patience.

[DRG-ler]

Well ... Bakelite is a phenolic resin, and it is difficult to paint over the long term because it outgasses. The paint will always come off and peel off over time. I wouldn't like that, so I don't really want to paint.

Cord wrap will take time and patience.

Especially when you want perfect results.

I have to ask my uncle. He's a boat owner on the Baltic Sea. It is possible that he has contacts with someone who knows something like that.

[J Franklin]

Originally Posted by DRG-ler

Well ... Bakelite is a phenolic resin, and it is difficult to paint over the long term because it outgasses. The paint will always come off and peel off over time.

I painted my 1930 steering wheel in 1968 with a quality black, and it is not peeling or rubbing off. I think wrapping the wheel is a fine solution and looks interesting.

[DRG-ler]

Well, I have an old tube radio (Mende 205 W) from 1939 with a Bakelite housing, which was once clear varnished. The paint was already peeling off.

[Don S]

I wet sanded my steering wheel with a very fine sand paper ,then scotchbrite pad and water to get a uniform mat finish . Spray your wheel with a satan urethane product from your local paint or hardware store. I used the fast curing as apposed to the 24 hr. curing , that way a second coat could be added later the same day . If you have properly wet sanded your steering wheel , the eurethane will last for years . I did mine in 1989 and it still looks and performes as I hoped. You could attain the same results , have your steering wheel look stock. Good luck.

[Jacksonlll]

https://youtube.com/watch?v=VPmTyLL3uZk&feature=share

Here is what I did and it came out great. I did it to both of my cars and it was very easy. You will need to buy a kit and some black parachute cord. There are other YouTube videos that might help.

[kenparker0703]

where on the Internet did you find the 17" steering wheel wrap. I need one for my new speedster and one for my daily driver 31 coupe.

[DRG-ler]

Thanks Jackson for the Youtube link. The variant with the leather cover and the nylon cord doesn't appeal to me, but it was a good indication of what to look for. I clicked a little further and found this video.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BnWD58gWY10

I think that's going to be the way I'll work. Completely without knots, and if you do it right you won't even see the beginning and end of the line! Now all I have to do is see which line I'm using and where I can get it during Corona times. Except for groceries, all shops are closed. I have to see, I don't want plastic cord like nylon or something. I would like one made of natural fibers. A product that already existed in 1930 ...

[Curtis in MA]

Amazon sells Belinous brand that has a 17 1/4 - 18" one.

[Ranchero50]

We did it in the Navy on certain handrails that were always getting the paint rubbed off. If it got dirty we painted it white. As said above, google turks head knot etc. Also gluing the ends down worked well. I plan on doing it to my speedster wheel.

[McMimmcs]

Why not a leather or leatherette steering wheel cover?

[DRG-ler]

I just don't like ...

[McMimmcs]

Originally Posted by DRG-ler

I just don't like ...

A whole lot classier than a rope! Hahaha

[Ranchero50]

Originally Posted by McMimmcs

Why not a leather or leatherette steering wheel cover?

Open top car, wet leather is icky.

White cotton cord, not so much.

[McMimmcs]

Originally Posted by Ranchero50

Open top car, wet leather is icky.

White cotton cord, not so much.

I thought it was the car in the avatar!

[Mister Moose]

Originally Posted by Ranchero50

Open top car, wet leather is icky.

White cotton cord, not so much.

Take it from a sailor -

Wet cotton cord is going to stretch and sag. UV degradation won't be very good either.

[DRG-ler]

Maybe, but how many people wrap leather around the steering wheel and how many opt for the vintage racing look with cord?



Everyone has their own taste.

[McMimmcs]

Originally Posted by DRG-ler

Maybe, but how many people wrap leather around the steering wheel and how many opt for the vintage racing look with cord?



Everyone has their own taste.

Yes and the choice is yours! But I must say I have never seen a wheel wrapped in mini rope. Good luck and enjoy.

[Chris in WNC]

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I have cleaned steering wheels with acetone, it takes away the "sticky" feeling and they will no longer turn your hands black......

[Humperhill]

I wrapped mine with leather that purchased bulk on Ebay. Glued the ends with E600 This photo was shortly after doing it, and the leather has darkened with age. I have not treated the leather. I like the look and feel. Wasn't hard to do, just takes patience.
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?f...20000..&type=3

[McMimmcs]

Originally Posted by Humperhill

I wrapped mine with leather that purchased bulk on Ebay. Glued the ends with E600 This photo was shortly after doing it, and the leather has darkened with age. I have not treated the leather. I like the look and feel. Wasn't hard to do, just takes patience.
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?f...20000..&type=3

Your Facebook is not available.

[California Travieso]

Originally Posted by Ranchero50

Open top car, wet leather is icky.

That’s why they have tops and side curtains for open cars!

Here in the Southwest they sell covers that you put on the steering wheel to keep it from getting hot in the sun. It’s not pleasant gripping a black steering wheel when it’s been out in the sun when it’s 105 degrees outside.

I think early pre-WW II race cars had steering wheels wrapped with cord to improve the grip. Cord would look great on a speedster steering wheel.

I agree that cars look classier wrapped in leather. My Porsche 912 steering wheel is wrapped in leather and it’s not that noticeable and it’s easy to grip.

As a last resort, You can get a cheap wheel cover at Pep Boys and most of the auto stores.

David Serrano

[Y-Blockhead]

You could get one of these bad boys... You would be the envy of your club.

[California Travieso]

Originally Posted by Y-Blockhead

You could get one of these bad boys... You would be the envy of your club.

That’s what I’m talking about!

David Serrano

[ModelAMike1930]

I got 2 steering wheel covers off of ebay im very happy with them.Now both of my model a's have them covered,

[28Danby]

Windex does wonders

[Gil Sissons]

If you are considering wrapping a steering wheel
Look online for: Wheelskins
Go to their website..... not just all the resellers.
Quality products that stay nice for a very long time.
Gil. NoCal

[California Travieso]

I checked the wheelskins website and they will make special sizes at no additional cost. All you have to do measure the diameter And circumference of the Steering wheel.

David Serrano

[russcochiolo]

I found the wrapped chrome wheel somewhere? I searched and found directions on line somewhere and then went to Amazon and got the 1/4" cotton line. I practiced a little and then started on my wheel. Patience is the name of the game! When it's all done and I'm happy with the wrap, I'll post "finished" pics.

[Ranchero50]

Originally Posted by California Travieso

That’s why they have tops and side curtains for open cars!

David Serrano

My A is somewhat unorthodox.

[Pete]

For what it is worth, rope wrapped steering wheels were popular with the NASCAR modified's in the mid 50's.

[Ray in La Mesa]

Ranchero50, KOOL, see thru Model A!

[Superhart]

If you really want to wrap your steering wheel with cord, the first step is to locate a cord in the texture and color that you like. Each section of the wheel between spokes would be handled as a separate entity. It would be best to coat one section prior to wrapping with a slow drying adhesive. Begin at one end of the section to be wrapped and leave a "tail inside the wrap. Begin the wrapping pulling the cord snugly around the wheel being careful to pack the wraps together to prevent any gaps. When you are maybe 4-5 wraps from the end of the section keep the wraps a little loose so you can feed another "tail" back under the last 4 wraps. After feeding the tail under the wraps on the underside of the wheel section only then snug down the remaining loose wraps and pull the tail through to complete the operation. Use a new single edge razor blade to trim the "tail" off flush. When dry, you can either leave the wrapping bare or coat with a good grade of polyurethane to seal the cord from dirt and hand oils. Takes a little practice but should work quite well.

[kenparker0703]

Saw a "rope wrapped" stering wheel on FB a few days ago.. Me thots were I like that and it would look gud on my speedster build. So after several hours of commercials between oldl western movies thsis is what ended up with. It fits the patina of what he speedster is gonna luk like - I hope.
Here is the wheel and the beginnings of the speedster - named the AOS.
.

[DRG-ler]

Today I finally had the time to take care of my steering wheel. And now after about an hour of work I have a Ford Model A with a sports steering wheel!









The original Bakelite steering wheel was simply wrapped with 4mm jute cord. About 30m ... The wrapping was done without any knots. The ends were just pinched under the one that was already wrapped.



In terms of feel, it is much more grippy and much thicker to grip. I think that also relaxes the hands on longer journeys.



I like it. Time will tell whether the whole thing will hold up or slip. If not, come back down. Costs around € 6



Greetings Andy

[Russ B]

While my cabriolet was under construction and in shakedown mode, I wrapped my wheel with chord bought at a marine supply store.



A little further along in construction, I found someone who would mold a new rim for me.


The wheel is a 1938 Studebaker banjo, reduced rim diameter, and ‘34 horn button.

The chord is easy to wrap, but harder to nicely tie the ends, but it worked good for me for a couple years of driving.

[McMimmcs]

Nice job, why might I ask did you not do a Model A steering wheel ?

[Russ B]

Originally Posted by McMimmcs

Nice job, why might I ask did you not do a Model A steering wheel ?

There are plenty of Model A’s in this world still, after ninety plus years. My dad bought this one new, and it was not his favorite car. He liked hydraulic brakes, temperature gauges, and oil pressure gauges on other cars of the era. The one thing he liked the best on the cabriolet was the quail cap, so I kept the quail. I like customizing, but don’t post a lot of photos showing modifications I have made here, as this forum is more focused on restorations. But I do post photos relevant to inquiries.







Some of my work is restoration quality, based on the restoration guide, but some is original design.

[McMimmcs]

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No pun intended “ whatever turns your crank “!

[Ilari]

I´m planning to do the steering wheel of my roadster with tar cord. Thanks for the links.

[nkaminar]

As far as hiding the ends, the easiest thing to do is just cut the ends off and throw them away.

[BillCNC]

After reading this thread it reminds me of my custom fishing rod building days. It has me thinking about the possibility of weaving in designs like fishing rods have design wraps above the real seat's winding check. It would need to be done with smaller cord, like 3/32" or 1/8". I'm not to keen on wrapping my wheel, but that's just me, but if I did, I'd probably try to so something pretty detailed, like weaving in mini versions of my "A" onto the wheel, or the words "1931 Ford Tudor" onto the wheel.

My thinking is, you might as well go big or go home because the simple wrap doesn't cut it for me.

Regards
Bill

[Ilari]

Now it’s finally done. It’s been waiting for many years. I will be polishing the center later.

Originally Posted by Ilari

I´m planning to do the steering wheel of my roadster with tar cord. Thanks for the links.