Steering wheel restoration......tense times

[New'n72]

Well, I finally sent my steering wheel to be restored. I would have tackled the task myself but it had a couple pretty good seperations and I wanted it to be correct when finished so I opt'd for a professional.

I will be on pins and needles until it is back in my hands. I don't have any concerns with the people doing the restoration but if the USPS looses it or it is otherwise damaged beyond repair while in transit, I will be REALLY upset!!!

I can get other steering wheel that will work as a steering wheel but getting the right color for my car would be a real problem.

I'm looking at 6-8 weeks of sleepless nights! Where's that Valium??????

[Oldsguy]

Post us a pic when it is done!

[Olds64]

Don't sweat it. It will be back in your hands before you know it. Just make sure you stay in touch with the person restoring it and make sure they get it. Then make sure you know when it is on its way back to you. Let us know how it turns out.

[Ndn_GivR]

Speaking of steering wheel restorations, i have a Hurst steering wheel from an 83 or 84 , and the leather is torn and cracked, is there a kit out there for the do it yourselfers?

[67CSragtop]

Where did you send it to be restored, I am looking to have mine done.

[67olds]

Am very interested in getting my 67 steering wheel restored!! PLEASE follow up with particulars on company restoring yours and let us know if job is well done. Good luck....

[Run to Rund]

For the leather kit, check www.wheelskins.com
Restoring the plastic wheels seems to be very expensive. Let us know how yours goes.

[Rallye469]

I've heard Koch's is the best...don't know price though.

But I have a 65 wood simulated wheel in desperate need...

[New'n72]

This is the place I am using.

http://www.garyssteeringwheel.com/gallery.htm

It's not cheap but I wanted it to look correct and he has some very impressive examples of his work on his web page. I do wish it didn't take so long, though. He's had it about 8
weeks now and I don't think he started on it until about 4 weeks ago. That means I have at least 2 more weeks to go if not more.

ON a brighter note, I passed the time while waiting for this steerining wheel to upgrade my radio to AM/Fm and replace the speaker which has gone south on me. That was a real job. I really hate crawling up under that dash. Sure glad it's done adn the new radio and speaker are working great!!!!

[New'n72]

I got the steering wheel back yesterday. Looks great. Pictures attached!!!

These are the BEFORE pic's:


Cutlass parts 002.jpg

Cutlass parts 003.jpg


The AFTER pic's:


steering wheel 003.jpg

steering wheel 004.jpg

It looks like it did when it was new!

Price was a little steep but it is paid for now and I sure could not have done this job as good myself so all is well. Notice that he replaced the chrome stripe around the wheel also.

[joe_padavano]

Originally Posted by Run to Rund

For the leather kit, check www.wheelskins.com
Restoring the plastic wheels seems to be very expensive. Let us know how yours goes.

I'm also looking at a replacement of the leather cover on a steering wheel that I have (91 Silhouette, to be installed in my Custom Cruiser). I don't want the Wheelskins cover, which to me looks like an expensive version of the vinyl covers sold at Pep Boys. I want to replace the factory-style leather. I can get the material. My question is, how do you stretch the cover to conform to the finger grips and general shape of the wheel? I have found several high dollar vendors who recover wheels for Porsches and Mercedes. I'm looking for info on how to do it myself.

[Oldsguy]

I bet they apply the leather cover while it is wet and allow it to shrink over the molded wheel. But wet with what? I don't know, and how do they sew it? Another mystery. If you discover how they do this, let us know too.

[Dapapadon]

New'n72 - The wheel looks Great! So... tell us... How Much?

Joe, you might want to start another thread on this. Sounds like a cool project. Might take some trial & error to get the results you want. Not sure you'll find much info for DYI.

I'd start by mounting / bolting the wheel to a bench somehow. Dan's idea to wet the leather sounds right to me, I'd use water. You could test the leather you have. You'll have to decide how the leather will cross the spokes of the wheel. Either fold the edge under or hem the area with a sewing machine. If you just fold it under you could glue & press it for a neat appearance. Come to think of it gluing the leather where it crosses the spokes and around the perimeter might not be a bad idea. Back to molding the leather. I think I'd start by sewing a band of leather about 1/2" to 1" smaller than the diameter of the wheel and about 3" to 4" wide. Soak the band then stretch it over the wheel and center it. Pull the leather around the wheel and clamp it on the inside. I'm thinking use those little cheap spring clamps from harbor freight. Get it as tight as you can, keep the clamp joint centered, then let it dry. Or maybe apply a little heat. (You do still have your blow dryer from the 80's don't you?) Let it dry overnight or two days. Before you remove the clamps use sharpened chalk to mark were your seams will be. And mark where the edge of the leather will be as it crosses the spokes. Hummm..... Now I'm out of ideas! I was thinking: Take the leather off the wheel to trim & fold the seams under. But that won't work, the leather is shrunk and molded to the wheel. Maybe work one area at a time? Gotta think on this some more.

Don

[Dapapadon]

I should have said; "I've never done this before" I was just typing out loud!

[Oldsguy]

Don, you idea is good only maybe a person should sew the seams while it is wet on the wheel, by hand of course. I remember when you could buy steering wheel covers in real leather and stitch them on using a nylon type of thread. Only thing is they would go on dry. No reason why one couldn't do it wet.

[Lady72nRob71]

The restored steery wheel looks great! Your interior is the same color as mine!
I assume the job was in the $400 range. I heard it was around that. However if you are happy with the results after spending that much, they MUST have done a great job!

The wheel in my '86 is in bad shape and it is nice to know they can be repaired. Maybe I should doo it soon.
The one in my 72 is not too bad for its age - it looks like your after pic!

[New'n72]

Lady72nRob71

Thanks for the compliments. It does look great. Price was $550 plus shipping. I was hoping for something in the $490 range but it was not to be.

Something I found out while talking with the people that did the restoration; They can paint and clear coat any color wheel to match your needs. My wheel was originally this color but they apparently painted it and clear coated it to make the repairs invisible as opposed to making the patching material match the original steering wheel material.

The reason I am telling you this is, that I have a black '72 steering wheel that I picked up off of Ebay for under $20 dollars and it is not cracked or otherwise in need of massive repair. I could probably have this black wheel painted and clear coated for a lot less than what it took to patch my original wheel in 3 places and paint.

You might consider doing this with your '86? I'm sure it would be a lot cheaper.

[Lady72nRob71]

Hmmm... That is a good idea.
I will have to be on the lookout for another wheel for the '86. I just hope I can find a one that isn't cracked already... I guess the plastic of these was of not the best quality and it shrank from the sun and heat. It was pretty cracked just after 3 years and 27K miles!
My old Ford has its original black wheel and is almost perfect condition, even after 30 years and 150K+ miles!