To Clean or Not Clean an E 28 wheel before sale

[Not George]

I have an early 28 steering wheel that I plan on selling in the near future.

I am looking for the opinion of the barn as to whether or not to clean it before posting it for sale.

I think it would show a lot better clean.

Thanks guys

[Jim Mason]

I prefer to buy as is. pm me with I price, I may be interested

[Mike V. Florida]

Depends on what you mean by clean. I would remove any surface dirt from the wheel to better see if there are any flaws. Buyers often are a bit shy from taking a chance on spending top dollar if they cannot see what is there before they buy.

Clean, yes, restore no!

[J Franklin]

I would clean and polish carefully but not restore it.

[RawhideKid]

I think you should sell it AS IS and let the new owner do as they think is best.

It is only original once, leave it alone.

[J Franklin]

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Originally the new Model A owner would clean and polish his car, at least for the first few years of ownership. You will get more money for a good clean example. Unless it might be for a ratty rod.

[larrys40]

Why take the risk of damage? Let the new guy do what he wishes .
Larry

[H. L. Chauvin]

FWIW:

Suppose your steering wheel's highest bidder is an authentic antique enthusiast who prefers barn find originals with a patina finish as opposed to buying items from sellers who would use paint remover to clean the Mona Lisa painting prior to selling it?

How long does it take to clean Mona Lisa with paint remover? and/or,

How long does it take to clean a steering wheel with mild soap and water?

How long does it take to replace the patina on either item?

Just something to think about ........ hope this helps.

[SeaSlugs]

Yea I'm on the fence - to clean or not to clean... It does have interesting patina so I would leave it alone although if its anything like my chevettes steering wheel it will get that black gunk from your skin oils back in no time....simple green and a paper towel takes that right off.

[30 Tudor]

If you had a nice "attic find" violin that was really a rare one,(which is rare to find, most are junk), and you cleaned and polished it up to look real nice, then took it to a group of world experts to inquire about selling it.
Lets just sat that they were sitting in a circle and you were in the middle showing off your new find,,,,,,,
there would be dead silence,,,and that caught in the headlights "Deer Stare" of disbelief,,,,Oh my goodness!

You cleaned and polished it with what?

[SeaSlugs]

Originally Posted by 30 Tudor

If you had a nice "attic find" violin that was really a rare one,(which is rare to find, most are junk), and you cleaned and polished it up to look real nice, then took it to a group of world experts to inquire about selling it.
Lets just sat that they were sitting in a circle and you were in the middle showing off your new find,,,,,,,
there would be dead silence,,,and that caught in the headlights "Deer Stare" of disbelief,,,,Oh my goodness!

You cleaned and polished it with what?

haha yea or every antiques roadshow piece of furniture or silver or picture fame - they even say leave it completely alone.

[J Franklin]

I think at a swap meet a clean nice wheel next to a dirty ratty wheel would bring a faster sale and more money. On the Roadshow the idea is not to refinish a piece. Many times it is advised to carefully clean dirty paintings and furniture. I am not advocating a restoration and the OP was asking about cleaning the piece.

I have a bunch of dirty dishes in my sink right now and would be glad if anyone wanted to buy them right now before I go to the trouble of washing them!

[Tony Martino]

Just my $.02. It looks solid.
Looks like it was sprayed at some point.
I sell a lot of "original" parts.
Many buyers like to decide for themselves,
as to what degree of restoration they want to acheive.
It is never as easy, many times impossible to replace
what has happened to a part over 80-90 years.
There are a lot more people looking for good usable parts
than 100 % perfect restored parts.

[30 Tudor]

It's probally ok to remove the dries bugars and the dried ice cream and cookies, and clean it up at that level,,,

now dried blood is another story,,

Bonnie,,you ok?

[Gunmetal blue2]

I had some orginal door handles that some body painted with a brush. I sand blasted them and was willing to give them away. Nobody wanted them because I sand blasted them. You have one guy interested already with it just the way it is.

[J Franklin]

No one would want that wheel either if it got sandblasted!

[eagle]

The trouble is, cleaning it with the wrong cleaner will result in softened surface.

[SeaSlugs]

Originally Posted by eagle

The trouble is, cleaning it with the wrong cleaner will result in softened surface.

yea, since it looks like just buildup from your own hand oils simple green is really good for stuff like this. Spray a bit on a paper towel and wipe, might take several sprays and several wipes but it will come off.

[Chippy Minton]

Don't.

[JBill]

It's almost a joke now how on Antiques Roadshow somebody brings something in to show off and find a value for, and the appraiser looks it over and says something like, "well this is great. In original unrestored condition it would have been worth (fill in the blank with a very large number), but since you cleaned it and refinished it you've ruined it, and it's now worth about $25!" Leave it alone.