| Author |
Message |
mattlockwood
Samba Member
Joined: June 15, 2012
Posts: 360
Location: KCMO
|
 Posted: Sun Nov 08, 2015 11:57 am Post subject: Steering wheel repair thread? |
 |
|
Did a search, could've missed it. Can a steering wheel be safely repaired? Mine looks much like this one, with the center outer plastic coating broken off.
|
|
| Back to top |
|
 |
aeromech
Samba Member
Joined: January 24, 2006
Posts: 16971
Location: San Diego, California
|
| Posted: Sun Nov 08, 2015 12:38 pm Post subject: |
|
|
Hi there,
I've done a couple steering wheels but never one as bad as pictured. I use a two part epoxy putty. You route out any cracks and then fill with the putty. Once hard, you sand until smooth. Then I shoot with a good quality primer and finally a two part top coat in gloss black. The black leather wheelskins cover hides flaws around the outside that would just be too time consuming to repair. As far as the broken out part shown around the wheel hub all I can suggest is that you give it a try and hope for the best. You might want to do a couple layers using the putty to build up the thickness.
_________________
Lead Mechanic: San Diego Air and Space Museum
Licensed Airframe and Powerplant Mechanic
Licensed Pilot (Single engine Land)
Boeing 727,737-200-300-400,757,767
Airbus A319,320,321
DC9/MD80
BAe146
Fokker F28/F100
VW type 1 1962,63,65,69,72
VW Type 2 1971 (3 ea.) 1978, 1969
VW Jetta
VW Passat
Capable of leaping tall buildings in a single bound |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
LouFilia
Samba Member
Joined: January 22, 2015
Posts: 77
Location: SLO, CA
|
|
| Back to top |
|
|
mattlockwood
Samba Member
Joined: June 15, 2012
Posts: 360
Location: KCMO
|
| Posted: Sun Nov 08, 2015 2:50 pm Post subject: |
|
|
It's ok, you can always change your ways.
I had already read the thread you mentioned and it doesn't specifically address a structural repair such as the one I need, with the exception of some info from aeromech.
Aero mech:it looks great! do you think using putty around the center ring will keep it structurally sound? That's my concern. It would be good to know how the spokes are connected to the center ring. Hopefully they are welded/bolted/one piece with the center and not just held by the Bakelite coating...Seems to me I'd need to apply some such that it encircles the entire center section, which could look horrible.. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
aeromech
Samba Member
Joined: January 24, 2006
Posts: 16971
Location: San Diego, California
|
| Posted: Sun Nov 08, 2015 4:36 pm Post subject: |
|
|
My belief is that the wheel has a metal structure surrounded by the bakelite material you spoke of. I don't think any repair you make will be anything but for looks so go for it. You could also even try bondo but I think the epoxy putty is much harder (and harder to sand to so don't over do it).
_________________
Lead Mechanic: San Diego Air and Space Museum
Licensed Airframe and Powerplant Mechanic
Licensed Pilot (Single engine Land)
Boeing 727,737-200-300-400,757,767
Airbus A319,320,321
DC9/MD80
BAe146
Fokker F28/F100
VW type 1 1962,63,65,69,72
VW Type 2 1971 (3 ea.) 1978, 1969
VW Jetta
VW Passat
Capable of leaping tall buildings in a single bound |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
mattlockwood
Samba Member
Joined: June 15, 2012
Posts: 360
Location: KCMO
|
| Posted: Sun Nov 08, 2015 4:52 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| aeromech wrote: |
| My belief is that the wheel has a metal structure surrounded by the bakelite material you spoke of. I don't think any repair you make will be anything but for looks so go for it. You could also even try bondo but I think the epoxy putty is much harder (and harder to sand to so don't over do it). |
Ok great. Makes it worth it to give it a shot |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
sean14538
Samba Member
Joined: June 03, 2014
Posts: 161
Location: West Jefferson, OH
|
|
| Back to top |
|
|
aeromech
Samba Member
Joined: January 24, 2006
Posts: 16971
Location: San Diego, California
|
| Posted: Sun Nov 08, 2015 7:00 pm Post subject: |
|
|
Yep, that's the way I did it except without the man boobs or the cheap paint.
_________________
Lead Mechanic: San Diego Air and Space Museum
Licensed Airframe and Powerplant Mechanic
Licensed Pilot (Single engine Land)
Boeing 727,737-200-300-400,757,767
Airbus A319,320,321
DC9/MD80
BAe146
Fokker F28/F100
VW type 1 1962,63,65,69,72
VW Type 2 1971 (3 ea.) 1978, 1969
VW Jetta
VW Passat
Capable of leaping tall buildings in a single bound |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
wcfvw69 
Samba Purist
Joined: June 10, 2004
Posts: 13389
Location: Arizona
|
| Posted: Sun Nov 08, 2015 9:55 pm Post subject: |
|
|
That's the way I've repaired a VW steering wheel as well with the exception of spray paint. You should really use a paint gun and spray 2k primer and then 2k paint for hardness and durability.
I used Wolfsburg West spray cans to paint my ebrake handle and shifter on a bug once. It's lousy and is not meant for wear items or durability. I repainted them both with 2k paint and haven't had any issues.
_________________
Contact me at [email protected]
Follow me on instagram @sparxwerksllc
Decades of VW and VW parts restoration experience.
The Samba member since 2004.
**Now rebuilding throttle bodies for VW's and Porsche's**
**Restored German Bosch distributors for sale or I can restore yours**
**Restored German Pierburg fuel pumps for sale or I can restore yours**
**Restored Porsche fuel pumps or I can restore yours**
**Restored Porsche distributors or I can restore yours** |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
aeromech
Samba Member
Joined: January 24, 2006
Posts: 16971
Location: San Diego, California
|
| Posted: Mon Nov 09, 2015 7:30 am Post subject: |
|
|
What the heck is 2K paint> The last wheel I did I used duracoat. That's the stuff they paint guns with. It's a two part and comes in about 30 different colors. Enough for the wheel costs around $20
http://ads.midwayusa.com/product/1841143245/lauer-duracoat-firearm-finish
_________________
Lead Mechanic: San Diego Air and Space Museum
Licensed Airframe and Powerplant Mechanic
Licensed Pilot (Single engine Land)
Boeing 727,737-200-300-400,757,767
Airbus A319,320,321
DC9/MD80
BAe146
Fokker F28/F100
VW type 1 1962,63,65,69,72
VW Type 2 1971 (3 ea.) 1978, 1969
VW Jetta
VW Passat
Capable of leaping tall buildings in a single bound |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
aeromech
Samba Member
Joined: January 24, 2006
Posts: 16971
Location: San Diego, California
|
| Posted: Mon Nov 09, 2015 8:51 am Post subject: |
|
|
The first wheel I did was actually a three part automotive black paint and the primer was a two part epoxy. Cost a lot so that's why I switched to the duracoat kit for the next one.
_________________
Lead Mechanic: San Diego Air and Space Museum
Licensed Airframe and Powerplant Mechanic
Licensed Pilot (Single engine Land)
Boeing 727,737-200-300-400,757,767
Airbus A319,320,321
DC9/MD80
BAe146
Fokker F28/F100
VW type 1 1962,63,65,69,72
VW Type 2 1971 (3 ea.) 1978, 1969
VW Jetta
VW Passat
Capable of leaping tall buildings in a single bound |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
chabanais
Samba Member
Joined: July 27, 2002
Posts: 4866
|
| Posted: Mon Nov 09, 2015 10:27 am Post subject: |
|
|
Wheelskins will look great but it will slowly degrade the wheel due to holding in moisture. Might take 5-7 years depending upon your climate. But if your wheel is kind of trashed they're a good solution.
_________________
"I spud therefore I yam." |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
wcfvw69
Samba Purist
Joined: June 10, 2004
Posts: 13389
Location: Arizona
|
| Posted: Mon Nov 09, 2015 10:32 am Post subject: |
|
|
It's just a reference to a two part paint system that you have to mix with hardener and then spray with a gun. Rattle cans are referred as a one part, or 1k.
I had the L-43 gray/black paint mixed up for my steering wheel, shifter and ebrake handle on my bug. The pint of paint and hardener were about $25 bucks out the door at an auto body supply house.
_________________
Contact me at [email protected]
Follow me on instagram @sparxwerksllc
Decades of VW and VW parts restoration experience.
The Samba member since 2004.
**Now rebuilding throttle bodies for VW's and Porsche's**
**Restored German Bosch distributors for sale or I can restore yours**
**Restored German Pierburg fuel pumps for sale or I can restore yours**
**Restored Porsche fuel pumps or I can restore yours**
**Restored Porsche distributors or I can restore yours** |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
mattlockwood
Samba Member
Joined: June 15, 2012
Posts: 360
Location: KCMO
|
| Posted: Mon Nov 09, 2015 1:00 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| sean14538 wrote: |
| This video is awesome as far as steering wheel resto work goes... |
Perfect thanks. Answered all my questions! Matt |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
mattlockwood
Samba Member
Joined: June 15, 2012
Posts: 360
Location: KCMO
|
| Posted: Fri Nov 20, 2015 10:42 pm Post subject: Re: Steering wheel repair thread? |
|
|
Im not quite finished but I thought I would post pictures of my repair:
Initial damage. Plastic has come off completely and shattered in some places.
Dremeled out the cracks to make channels for the epoxy.
Used POR15 Two part epoxy to rebuild the pieces I couldnt find. Put what pieces I could back on like a puzzle.
Prime, paint.clearcoat. Small flat spot at the 2 oclock position that I sanded and rebuilt-up with the epoxy..
Im pretty happy with the result. Thanks to Aeromech for the tips! |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
sean14538
Samba Member
Joined: June 03, 2014
Posts: 161
Location: West Jefferson, OH
|
|
| Back to top |
|
|
mlesniak
Samba Member
Joined: April 08, 2015
Posts: 350
Location: Wisconsin
|
| Posted: Sat Nov 21, 2015 6:14 am Post subject: Re: Steering wheel repair thread? |
|
|
damn! Solid work!
_________________
Rosita the 73' Tin-top |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
|
