1936 steering wheel repair

[JMFL36]

There are several threads on steering wheel repair, but I thought I'd start a thread on restoring the steering wheel that I just pulled in this steering wheel puller thread ...

https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/showthread.php?t=242880

Text in bold refers to the attached photo with the same name.

Steering Wheel Repair 1 - Steering wheel as pulled from car. Lots of big cracks along inside of rim and at both ends of all 3 spokes.
Steering Wheel Repair 2 & 3 - These are to 2 dremel tips I used. I used the 1st one on big cracks, and the 2nd one on hairline cracks and for cleaning up after the 1st tip.
Steering Wheel Repair 4, 5, 6 - The wheel after prep-ing with the dremel. For big cracks I took the cut down to the steel rod core. For hairline cracks I took the cut down to solid bakelite.

Next step is to fill the voids. I'm thinking of using either PC 7 or POR 15 Epoxy Putty. What have you guys used? Any tips or tricks for applying the epoxy? Thanks

(I'll update this thread after applying the epoxy.)

[gnolnor]

I used JB Weld and sanded to finish surface. It has held up 15 years.
I had one bad separation of 1/4 inch. Gnolnor

[JSeery]

PC7 is popular for steering wheel repair with a lot of folks, it's what I have used as well.

[Lawson Cox]

PC7 hands down.

[TagMan]

I used PC7 and have had no problems with it holding up.

[G.M.]

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

Go Back to past posts history and there are detailed instructions on posts
my self and others made over the years. G.M.

[JMFL36]

Update.
Steering wheel repair 7 - I cleaned the wheel with 'Pre' and then hit all the exposed steel core with 'Rust Converter'. Here's a tip - I pulled the (red) spray nozzle off the 'Pre' can and put it on the 'Rust Converter' can. This nozzle accepts a straw so I was able to target just the bare metal at the bottom of the cuts I made in the bakelite.
Steering wheel repair 8 - Lots of folks recommended PC7, but I'm thinking of using POR 15 putty. I've used it on other projects and it can be worked and smoothed like molding clay to minimize sanding. Opinions?

[JMFL36]

G.M., I've read thru the past posts on steering wheel repair and they were very helpful. I just thought I'd document the process I'm using to restore my wheel, and get feedback (pro and con) from learned barn-ers. Cheers

[Anteek29]

I like JB Quik Weld...easy to work and dries to a shiny black.

[Reconnoiter]

I used Marine-Tex for my 34 wheel restoration, had as many cracks as yours. Like a new wheel now, amazing stuff.

[JMFL36]

Wow, great job. I hope mine turns out that nice.

[fordor41]

PC-7 for me also. It's been 8- 10 yrs or so and still looks good.

[cmbrucew]

I used JB weld, so far so good. After the wheel in all smooth, I used two coats of Johnson paste wax to give it some shine, also you don't get dirty hands steering the car.
Bruce

[32Bee]

I'v repaired three steering wheels to perfection using PC-7. It has so much more
body than JB Weld. I start off grinding out all the cracks with my Dremel, then
fill all the voids to a little above finish surface. File down flush, shoot a coat of
PPG epoxy primer and finish paint with two coats of PPG concept cut with a
flattening agent to produce a lustrous low sheen finish. May seem like a lot of
work, but well with the endeavor.

Peter

[JMFL36]

Update. Got the steering wheel and horn rod installed today.
Steering Wheel Repair 9 - Shows the wheel after the epoxy putty applied. After sanding and painting it looks great.
Steering Wheel Repair 10 - Wheel and rod installed. I'm still working out some electrical bugs, but at least the light switch is now functional.
Thanks for everyone's help. Cheers, John

[chap52]

used PC7 and Rustoleum Gloss Black Engine paint on mine. Worked great. Chap

[tomkowal]

i vote for pc7, used them both

[Gary Tosel]

I have only used POR 15 and I believe it works well and can be molded using water, similar to modeling clay.


A friend of mine had a previously repaired 36 banjo wheel and he finished it with POR 15. Every crack previously repaired (not sure what it was) showed up as white lines when they painted it. He had to grind out all of the old filler and replace with POR 15 and the results were very good.


I am sure there are other products that work well, but just my own experience with POR 15.