AirSpeed VW Community Forums

General Forums => Air Speed Lounge => Topic started by: Geoff on January 03, 2009, 03:17:41 PM

Title: Tech: Steering wheel repair
Post by: Geoff on January 03, 2009, 03:17:41 PM: I just found out about a new product (new to me) that works great for repairing cracked and broken steering wheels.
A few friends recomended trying this product when it was time to do my wheel, This is more of a recomendation than a tech article. There has been a lot of "how to" on steering wheel repair on line and in magazines so i'll just show the basics.

This is a early 50's Chrysler wheel but it's all the same for any wheel.
First sand, grind or file out all the cracks and breaks on your wheel rim.

(https://airspeedparts.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.airspeedparts.com%2Fgallery%2Falbums%2Fuserpics%2F10002%2Fnormal_st-1.jpg&hash=105867b96b62f2e8e2bc386d7115c29bb0d7951a)

(https://airspeedparts.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.airspeedparts.com%2Fgallery%2Falbums%2Fuserpics%2F10002%2Fnormal_st2.jpg&hash=e86f26f9204ac2bb85da830ea46ff5bec1be24c4)

You'll need to give your wheel a good wipe down with silicon remover before doing the next step.

This is product you will need. It's Marine Tex, It's a 2 part epoxy that is very easy to use and holds it's shape well during drying. The best part about it is that once hard it sands like a soft wood or body filler and will not clog the sand paper.

(https://airspeedparts.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.airspeedparts.com%2Fgallery%2Falbums%2Fuserpics%2F10002%2Fnormal_st4.jpg&hash=8f39926585543203994c4ea15838592678b6d38c)

You can buy it at many Marine locations but I bought mine at the location below. A small bottle was $16 and was enough to do my wheel (larger botles are available)

Martin Marine

121 West 1st Street , North Vancouver

604-985-0911

Mix and apply!
(https://airspeedparts.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.airspeedparts.com%2Fgallery%2Falbums%2Fuserpics%2F10002%2Fnormal_st3.jpg&hash=6557a14384fda5894aa86dd94b906559dfe3c664)

Sand....apply....sand...apply..etc
(https://airspeedparts.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.airspeedparts.com%2Fgallery%2Falbums%2Fuserpics%2F10002%2Fnormal_st5.jpg&hash=443fb5d629385ba5abd9ddf693f36686fd72e868)

(https://airspeedparts.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.airspeedparts.com%2Fgallery%2Falbums%2Fuserpics%2F10002%2Fnormal_st6.jpg&hash=9b3693f45deb00e1a620242d5ca4465148fd5927)

Although it needs more marine tex and sanding here's a quick shot of a little primer.

(https://airspeedparts.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.airspeedparts.com%2Fgallery%2Falbums%2Fuserpics%2F10002%2Fnormal_st7.jpg&hash=59f73eab0a2014d1705deb690edb3780ff23efdc)

This stuff works great... Now go fix that Bat wing steering wheel in your garage!
Title: Re: Tech: Steering wheel repair
Post by: vwshawn on January 03, 2009, 06:53:29 PM: Happy New Year Geoff!
Thanks for the post
I actually have a batwing for my 65 Custom :) ;D
Shawn
Title: Re: Tech: Steering wheel repair
Post by: 70's Looker on January 03, 2009, 11:19:21 PM: i just bought a 62 merc and i was just thinking today how i can fix the wheel, huge crack/chips at the top cool tip ill keep an eye out for some of that stuff!
Title: Re: Tech: Steering wheel repair
Post by: Crank on January 03, 2009, 11:32:55 PM: Restoring a wheel is really not that hard, just involves time to make it nice. I did the same thing to mine last summer and was really happy with the results.
Thanks for posting that Geoff.

I use an Epoxy Putty http://www.por15.com/prodinfo.asp?grp=PU&dept=10 (http://www.por15.com/prodinfo.asp?grp=PU&dept=10) by Por-15.
As Geoff mentioned when sanding this does not clog the sandpaper and does not shrink as it dries.