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Old 10-15-2014, 02:04 PM   #1
Willit Stop
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Default Has anyone tried this for steering wheel cracks

I've used epoxy in the past but this might be better.Sorry about the commercial.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=alyzGrgL6So
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Old 10-15-2014, 03:37 PM   #2
V12Bill
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Default Re: Has anyone tried this for steering wheel cracks

Next time I need to repair plastic I hope to remember this U tube fix. I used J.B.Weld on my steering wheel, but it shrank a bit showing all my repairs.
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Old 10-15-2014, 03:39 PM   #3
TJ
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Default Re: Has anyone tried this for steering wheel cracks

Interesting concept, but the steering wheel is made from a different type of plastic. it was made from soybeans. I would only try it on a wheel that can't be saved.
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Old 10-15-2014, 03:41 PM   #4
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Default Re: Has anyone tried this for steering wheel cracks

The question I have is: does the process work on hard rubber? Because that's what the early Ford steering wheels are made of; they're not plastic.
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Old 10-15-2014, 05:32 PM   #5
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Default Re: Has anyone tried this for steering wheel cracks

Loctite 480, a rubberized type of acrylate superglue, is used to repair thin cracks in hard rubber - ebonite - the old black bowling balls etc. Fillers, such as baking soda, seem to work ok with with acrylates as well as some epoxies for wider cracks. The soda also helps to reduce shrinkage and make the repairs more machine-able, sandpaper-able and file-able.

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Old 10-15-2014, 05:34 PM   #6
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Default Re: Has anyone tried this for steering wheel cracks

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I can't see what's being used here. (Must be my computer) But, here is an old product that I have used. I've used in on my old Ford's, and the biggest one I took on was a 39 wheel with at least half the original missing. (I had it sandblasted first) I slathered this stuff on, several coats, and when well cured, formed the shape with files, die grinder, sand (emery) paper etc. Buncha work, and only did it to prove to myself that it could be done. Should work great for minor repairs. I've not tried it on newer plastic. This stuff does not shrink.
PC-7, a two part epoxy-like material. Says right on the container, for steering wheels (as well as gas tanks, oil pans, and other stuff)
1 lb cans - way too much, can completely build a steering wheel. Life time supply.
tubes - similar to toothpaste tubes - a good size for several minor repairs.
Available at any good hardware store.
JMO
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Old 10-15-2014, 05:51 PM   #7
51 MERC-CT
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Default Re: Has anyone tried this for steering wheel cracks

Ditto on the PC-7. If you don't care how the restoration looks then try the baking soda but in my experience the PC-7 route is the way to go.
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Old 10-15-2014, 06:58 PM   #8
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Default Re: Has anyone tried this for steering wheel cracks

That video is a real hack job.

R
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Old 10-15-2014, 07:24 PM   #9
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Default Re: Has anyone tried this for steering wheel cracks

I vote for PC-7, did my steering wheel over 15 years ago for my truck and it till looks great! I have not seen anything that's better.
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Old 10-15-2014, 08:09 PM   #10
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Default Re: Has anyone tried this for steering wheel cracks

pc 7 is what to use, it comes in small portions if that's what you need, about the size of small baby food jars
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Old 10-15-2014, 08:14 PM   #11
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Default Re: Has anyone tried this for steering wheel cracks

Quote:
Originally Posted by 51 MERC-CT View Post
Ditto on the PC-7. If you don't care how the restoration looks then try the baking soda but in my experience the PC-7 route is the way to go.
I had used PC7 for decades with great results. That's what the steering wheel repair guru Turpin always recommended.
However, with modern technology, new and better chemicals have come about. Currently I use the same fillers that are applied to plastic bumpers, etc. on new cars.
Much easier to shape than PC7 and will last for YEARS w/o issues.
Now don't get me wrong, PC7 was and is a great product for this type of repair but there are newer and better products now available.
As always, preparation is the key to a great repair.
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Old 10-15-2014, 09:13 PM   #12
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Default Re: Has anyone tried this for steering wheel cracks

"However, with modern technology, new and better chemicals have come about. Currently I use the same fillers that are applied to plastic bumpers, etc. on new cars."

And those "same fillers" would be what .....?????
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Old 10-15-2014, 09:51 PM   #13
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Default Re: Has anyone tried this for steering wheel cracks

I used JB Water Weld epoxy my steering wheel. Works great, easy to work with. http://www.jbweld.com/product/j-b-waterweld/
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Old 10-15-2014, 11:17 PM   #14
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Default Re: Has anyone tried this for steering wheel cracks

I have an original '32 Ford steering wheel. Is it a hard rubber material on it? So the Loctite 480 with baking soda would be an appropriate filler combo?
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Old 10-16-2014, 12:19 AM   #15
Mike B
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Default Re: Has anyone tried this for steering wheel cracks

Quote:
Originally Posted by Ronnie View Post
That video is a real hack job.

R
Naw Ronnie, not for what the guy was doing or was trying to accomplish, remember, he wasn't trying, or saying "repair a steering wheel"...he was doing a 15 minute fix on a 40 dollar piece of plastic for pennies.
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Old 10-16-2014, 10:13 PM   #16
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Default Re: Has anyone tried this for steering wheel cracks

I used Numetal from KBS Coatings for a badly cracked steering wheel on my 36 truck. Came out pretty good for an amateur.
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Old 10-16-2014, 11:25 PM   #17
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Default Re: Has anyone tried this for steering wheel cracks

Years ago a friend of mine bought a banjo wheel that had seen much better days. He fixed it in a way I never heard of before. He went to the pro shop at the local bowling alley and bought bowling ball putty. He went to work with the putty, a fine file and various grits of sand paper and soon enough it looked very good. He installed it in a '40 convertible that he hot rodded and won shows and drove it all over for the next fifteen + years then sold it and as far as I know it is still driving somewhere with bowling ball putty repaired banjo wheel. Go figure.
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Old 10-17-2014, 02:20 AM   #18
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Default Re: Has anyone tried this for steering wheel cracks

I restored my 1946 mercury wheel had a dozen cracks ,took several applications until it was near prefect,used PC 7
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Old 10-17-2014, 09:22 AM   #19
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Default Re: Has anyone tried this for steering wheel cracks

We've used Marinetex for years, sold through West Marine. A 2 part epoxy for hull repair, no shrinkage on a '40 Deluxe wheel done over 30 years ago.
Paul J.
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