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On Pawn Stars was a segment where they sent out a '63 Lincoln Continental to be restored by "Wally" of "Wally World"(?) - Part of restoration was an "epoxied" steering wheel - A quick shot of it seemed to look like clear lucite or something. Anyone know about this or other methods for fixing plastic DeSoto steering wheels that have gaps or are cracked?
Although I've never repaired a steering wheel, I have used two-part epoxy to repair other plastic items, and wood trim as well. I just slather it on to what needs filling, then sand it to match the adjacent topography when it dries. Then I just paint and seal the repair, and Bob's yer uncle. I like epoxy because it remains a bit flexible, which comes in handy with heat/cooling cycles, or if the adjacent materials tend to expand and contract with the temperature or humidity. It works great as a way to fix rotted, exterior house trim.
I know of folks who have fixed the cracks in their old steering wheels in a similar way, but I am more of a fan of saving up to pay a real pro with lots of experience to recast an old steering wheel. A lot of DIY steering wheel repairs eventually start cracking again after a while unless the car owner is especially talented, as do some of the cheapy "pro" repairs. The best guys aren't cheap, but worth the money IMHO.
There are probably other materials that are used to fill these steering wheel cracks, but I don't know what they might be.
I am going to use two-part epoxy to repair the headliner bows in my DeSoto, so I'll try to remember to let y'all know how it goes.
I have fixed cracked 55/56 wheels with pc7 and marine tex and they work ok if done properly but because those early wheel were made with 40s and 50s plastic they are very brittle and will probably crack again..not to mention the fine groves on the rim is nearly impossible to fix correctly .
Recasting is the best bet.
I found a blurb with photos by a fellow in Scandinavia who does great DIY work on his cars. He has another method of improving the look of a cracked steering wheel:
"The wheel is not that bad but I´ll try to fix it before it gets worse. I use Humbrol modelling paint mixed to fairly right colour and the mix the colour with epoxy glue. I have to repeat this step several times because the mixture "sinks" in so I have to build up whith the epoxy to the right level. I dont know if this is going to work but hopefully it will."
I used the POR-15 on my steerring wheel about 5-6 years ago. It has held up well. Link is to a video that used the same manner I did with mine. Only difference is I worked a quarter of the steering wheel at a time and then did the center section last.
