1969 chevelle SS steering wheel restoration

[chevyman0429]

Gentleman I'm needing to fix a few cracks in my black steering wheel and was wondering if anyone has any tips on what to use on filling some cracks in. Would like something that drys black if that possible. Thanks Mike

[Postsedan]

Steering wheels are usually easy and fun repairs.....show pics and I can give you some better insight.
I usually use a two part epoxy, small dremel tool, small files, etc.

Dan

[chevyman0429]

Dam just any two part epoxy do the make one in black. I'll get some pics when I get back to the house.

[chevyman0429]

[olredalert]

----You have good grain going so resto is much easier. Just a tip,,,glass bead the metal before you start the epoxy repair......Bill S

[Postsedan]

That is a good looking wheel...she must have come off of a car early in life to have such good grain on her....perhaps in a heavy front end crash was the cause of the severe large crack? I use a 3M Panel Bond Gun with a long tip to get into tight places, the gun is not cheap......but you can also buy rather inexpensive small tubes of expoxy at your local hardware store. Fill the crack with baby steps, or separate layers.....this will make the repair much stronger, especially since you have a larger crack. Use green tape to sesure the expoxy, as it likes to run. The hardest part will be to duplicate the grain on the wheel, this is where I use a dremel tool. I suggested you practice on duplicating this art before you actually try it on the wheel, as you only have one chance to get it right.
Fairly easy to do.

Good luck,
Dan

[chevyman0429]

I restored the center section last night came out better then I expected. Dan I made a small mold of the other side with the ribs to locate it that I will attempt to secure over the top of the crack that has the grain and force the epoxy in from the sides.Good idea I think lol.

[chevyman0429]

I'm also trying to do this without painting the entire wheel hoping I can get the color as close as possible. The underside of the wheel has some scuff marks in it can these be sanded out and polished with something.

[firstgenaddict]

Automix panel bond is what I have been using on black wheels, I usually undercut so that around the metal is actually larger bulb than the crack in order to ensure it will not dislodge. you may be able to use a little wad of aluminum foil behind plastic as the grain texture for the little place on the front which needs to be replicated
.
After finishing the repair tape the grain and then sand the wheel with some fine sand paper to get the scratches out and follow up with polish.

If the epoxy is not black enough add carbon black to the mixture, it is available in art supply stores as a fine powder.