Steering wheel restoration

bartts · Posted: Sun May 20, 2007 6:40 pm Post subject: Steering wheel restoration

I am having a heck of a time finding a "like new" steering wheel for my 1972 Super Beetle.

I have the orginal one, and can get the horn insert, but the wheel itself has multiple cracks and seperations.

Anyone know of a company which will restore a steering wheel? Contact info?

Thanks!

Bart in Florida

Zacharysayre · Posted: Sun May 20, 2007 7:04 pm Post subject:

Try this link. You can do it youerself
http://www.por15.com/s.nl/it.A/id.1480/.f
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BUGGED11111 · Posted: Sun May 20, 2007 10:28 pm Post subject:

if you have the $$ the best place to have the wheel restored is Koch's:

http://www.kochssteeringwheels.com/productcart/pc/mainIndex.asp

.

jhicken · Posted: Mon May 21, 2007 5:09 am Post subject:

I don't think Koch restores the later style wheels and same goes for the POR15 offerings. I'm not sure of the year interchangability but you probably would be able to find a decent replacement cheap from a wrecking yard. If you can't find anything local, go on-line. There are alot of wrecking yards listed and a phone call and some shipping should satisfy yer need.

-jeffrey
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Der Kleiner Kampfwagens

MattBon · Posted: Mon May 21, 2007 5:38 am Post subject:

I could have sworn that I saved a write up about how to fix a steering wheel for the later models. I was planning on doing that for my 73's wheel. In fact, I found the bondo and high gloss paint this weekend in my shed.

How bad are the cracks ? One intermediate step would be to find another damaged wheel and try your hands at fixing it.

Cusser · Posted: Mon May 21, 2007 5:51 am Post subject:

See July 1989 and July 1995 issues of Hot VWs magazine for articles about steering wheel restoration.
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1970 VW (owned since 1972) and 1971 VW Convertible (owned since 1976), second owner of each. The '71 now has the 1835 engine, swapped from the '70. Second owner of each. 1988 Mazda B2200 truck, 1998 Frontier, 2014 Yukon, 2004 Frontier King Cab. All manual transmission except for the Yukon. http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/album_page.php?pic_id=335294 http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/album_page.php?pic_id=335297

jhicken · Posted: Mon May 21, 2007 5:53 am Post subject:

Are the articles about restoring the early smooth steering wheels or the later textued vinyl coverd wheels?

-jeffrey
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Der Kleiner Kampfwagens

NOVA Airhead · Posted: Mon May 21, 2007 6:57 am Post subject:

Eastwood's makes a steering wheel restoration kit for $40.

http://www.eastwoodco.com/jump.jsp?itemID=2571&itemType=PRODUCT
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Gary · Posted: Mon May 21, 2007 7:01 am Post subject:

NOVA Airhead · Posted: Mon May 21, 2007 7:15 am Post subject:

Depends if you need a saw, file, drill bit etc.

Most people already have this stuff.

I have used PC-7 on my own (no kit) to fix cracks in wheels and then painted with good reults. Its another, cheaper way to go if you don't want to use a kit.
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Ghia Owner Emeritus

Gary · Posted: Mon May 21, 2007 7:44 am Post subject:

MattBon · Posted: Mon May 21, 2007 7:55 am Post subject:

INdriver · Samba Member Joined: November 10, 2006 Posts: 13

Saw the kit at a show. It's a rip-off!! Their "sanding Board" is a piece of garden hose. The other items come out to be about $25 worth of stuff you'll find in your garage.

jmsmilin · Posted: Tue Jun 17, 2008 1:55 pm Post subject:

whats the factory color of the 58-59 steering wheels?
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Drew0890 · Samba Member Joined: January 22, 2008 Posts: 106

If it is like the steering wheel in my '79 super, you can buy a "wheelskin"...a leather wrap that you hand stitch around the damaged one. It is available at mid america motorworks or at a local parts house such as O'rielly's

bmoehring · Posted: Tue Jun 17, 2008 6:08 pm Post subject:

I used PC-7 too, on an earlier wheel, 1970 style. Worked fine for me. Used sandable primer, that seemed to help the finish.
I also used my Dremel on the cracks, ground them out a little, cleaned them up that way before filling.
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