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Tue Feb 05, 2008 10:24 am

I was searching the threads with out luck.
I am hearing that there is a place (may be in SoCal) where you can send your steering wheel down and have it revamped

Is there such a place?

Gene C

Tue Feb 05, 2008 10:28 am

www.kochs.com

Tue Feb 05, 2008 12:48 pm

Thank You

Gene C

Tue Feb 05, 2008 4:42 pm

Before Koch's

After Koch's

Tue Feb 05, 2008 7:46 pm

OVLWNDO, how long did u have to wait before you got it back? I need to send mine in for recasting as well.

Wed Feb 06, 2008 7:41 am

I don't believe that Koch's "recasts" the wheels. I believe they do a basic epoxy putty repair and repaint. At least that is what was shown in a magazine article years ago.

I did a few wheels this way, it is very tedious work, especially when the cracks are through the ribbed areas.

http://thebugshop.org/bsfqstrg.htm

Wed Feb 06, 2008 8:03 am

johnshenry wrote: I don't believe that Koch's "recasts" the wheels. I believe they do a basic epoxy putty repair and repaint. At least that is what was shown in a magazine article years ago.

I did a few wheels this way, it is very tedious work, especially when the cracks are through the ribbed areas.

http://thebugshop.org/bsfqstrg.htm

Kochs has been recasting the offset batwing wheels for a few years now I believe, I'm not for sure on other wheel types though. As the hobby has changed and slowed in various ways over the last few years the wheel business has become an increasing majority of their business. We work with them here and there producing rare accessory steering wheel/ring parts for them when needed, their workmanship is exceptional either way, recasting or restoration, for both VW and non-VW wheels too.

Wed Feb 06, 2008 8:12 am

I stand corrected. I see on their site they sell recast '50-'55 and '56-'59 wheels. Wasn't aware of that...

http://kochs.com/productcart/pc/viewPrd.asp?idcategory=2&idproduct=235

Wed Feb 06, 2008 8:57 am

Re-casting wheels just doesn't seem right to me. I think the steering wheel is a part of the mystique of any restoration; a part of the previous owner's relationship to the car. I remember driving a car that Phil Hill once raced and thinking I was connecting to the car through the same "channel" he had used. Granted VW's are not Ferrari's but I do think you lose some connection to the past when you replace the steering wheel. Just my opinion.

Wed Feb 06, 2008 9:03 am

53 0val wrote: Re-casting wheels just doesn't seem right to me. I think the steering wheel is a part of the mystique of any restoration; a part of the previous owner's relationship to the car. I remember driving a car that Phil Hill once raced and thinking I was connecting to the car through the same "channel" he had used. Granted VW's are not Ferrari's but I do think you lose some connection to the past when you replace the steering wheel. Just my opinion.

Just think of it as really thick paint Bob. You'll feel better....

:wink:

Wed Feb 06, 2008 9:19 am

johnshenry wrote: 53 0val wrote: Re-casting wheels just doesn't seem right to me. I think the steering wheel is a part of the mystique of any restoration; a part of the previous owner's relationship to the car. I remember driving a car that Phil Hill once raced and thinking I was connecting to the car through the same "channel" he had used. Granted VW's are not Ferrari's but I do think you lose some connection to the past when you replace the steering wheel. Just my opinion.

Just think of it as really thick paint Bob. You'll feel better....

:wink:

It's the "core" replacement that bothers me.

Wed Feb 06, 2008 9:27 am

53 0val wrote: johnshenry wrote: 53 0val wrote: Re-casting wheels just doesn't seem right to me. I think the steering wheel is a part of the mystique of any restoration; a part of the previous owner's relationship to the car. I remember driving a car that Phil Hill once raced and thinking I was connecting to the car through the same "channel" he had used. Granted VW's are not Ferrari's but I do think you lose some connection to the past when you replace the steering wheel. Just my opinion.

Just think of it as really thick paint Bob. You'll feel better....

:wink:

It's the "core" replacement that bothers me.

I assumed that they re-used the steel cores/hubs from original wheels, but I don't know anything about the process. I'd be surprised if they were recasting/machining the metal parts as well.

Wed Feb 06, 2008 9:37 am

53 0val wrote: johnshenry wrote: 53 0val wrote: Re-casting wheels just doesn't seem right to me. I think the steering wheel is a part of the mystique of any restoration; a part of the previous owner's relationship to the car. I remember driving a car that Phil Hill once raced and thinking I was connecting to the car through the same "channel" he had used. Granted VW's are not Ferrari's but I do think you lose some connection to the past when you replace the steering wheel. Just my opinion.

Just think of it as really thick paint Bob. You'll feel better....

:wink:

It's the "core" replacement that bothers me.

I can relate to that. The steering wheel is a major part of the car's soul and how we directly bond with the car and its history, too new sometimes just doesn't feel right. Several customers have asked us to actually pre-age knob sets in various ways so they present as original for similar reasons, I can respect that.

Gary

Wed Feb 06, 2008 9:39 am

johnshenry wrote: 53 0val wrote: johnshenry wrote: 53 0val wrote: Re-casting wheels just doesn't seem right to me. I think the steering wheel is a part of the mystique of any restoration; a part of the previous owner's relationship to the car. I remember driving a car that Phil Hill once raced and thinking I was connecting to the car through the same "channel" he had used. Granted VW's are not Ferrari's but I do think you lose some connection to the past when you replace the steering wheel. Just my opinion.

Just think of it as really thick paint Bob. You'll feel better....

:wink:

It's the "core" replacement that bothers me.

I assumed that they re-used the steel cores/hubs from original wheels, but I don't know anything about the process. I'd be surprised if they were recasting/machining the metal parts as well.

Bob could recreate the entire wheel no problem, but its far more cost effective for him to reuse the steel core frame/hub in the molds.

Gary

Wed Feb 06, 2008 9:48 am

I was referring to the "exchange" issue. You give me your wheel and X amount of money and I'll give you a "new" one. That's what I meant by "core" replacement. Sorry to confuse the issue. :wink:

Wed Feb 06, 2008 9:52 am

Interesting to read this thread.

Nice to hear some others are thinking the same as me. I thought I was a bit of a nut as most every restoration I see has a "perfect wheel".

When I did the pan off on my 56, I restored everything except the steering wheel for similar reasons. I must admit however that I have been thinking of restoring my steering wheel via the "epoxy putty repair and repaint" for about 4 years now... I hum and haw all winter long, but every spring I always come to the same conclusion and just wanna go for a drive.

Cheers.

Wed Feb 06, 2008 10:05 am

Crank wrote: Interesting to read this thread.

Nice to hear some others are thinking the same as me. I thought I was a bit of a nut as most every restoration I see has a "perfect wheel".

When I did the pan off on my 56, I restored everything except the steering wheel for similar reasons. I must admit however that I have been thinking of restoring my steering wheel via the "epoxy putty repair and repaint" for about 4 years now... I hum and haw all winter long, but every spring I always come to the same conclusion and just wanna go for a drive.

Cheers.

I've always "restored" the wheels on my cars including the Porsches, but a new coat of varnish or paint with some epoxy is not a replacement wheel.

Wed Feb 06, 2008 10:50 am

53 0val wrote: Re-casting wheels just doesn't seem right to me. I think the steering wheel is a part of the mystique of any restoration; a part of the previous owner's relationship to the car. I remember driving a car that Phil Hill once raced and thinking I was connecting to the car through the same "channel" he had used. Granted VW's are not Ferrari's but I do think you lose some connection to the past when you replace the steering wheel. Just my opinion.

:D :lol: :D

I never thought anyone else would really think this way. I know Koch's can 'restore' or recast any wheel, but to me it just seemed like a reproduction wheel if you were going to do that. Might as well just buy one from China, what do you REALLY have left.....

gotta restore the OG wheel with putty and paint.

I'm glad there are others out there that feel the same way as I do.

johnny

Wed Feb 06, 2008 5:24 pm

I know I got my original wheel back, I marked so I could tell.

Wed Feb 06, 2008 5:28 pm

audidood,
I think typical turn around time is a couple weeks.
Call Rubin at Koch's.

http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=134477&highlight=