The Ford Barn

jrhaelig · 04-05-2015, 07:04 PM

Like many of us I had cracks at the top and bottom of each spoke on my steering wheel.

It was to the point that one of the cracks bloodied my finger a few months ago, so I knew I needed to do something.

Yesterday I mixed up some JB Weld & stuffed the cracks. A few minutes with some 80 grit followed by 150 gave me some excellent results.

A few strokes with a black marker and by golly it's as good as the rest of the truck - and no more bloody fingers!

Flash is a bit bright, but the daylight results are great.

RalphG · 04-05-2015, 08:01 PM

That JBweld is great stuff. My steering wheels don't need it but if they did I wouldn't hesitate to try it.

V12Bill · 04-06-2015, 08:03 PM

I used JB Weld to repair my steering wheel also. After a year or so it appeared to shrink the the repairs are visible. Maybe I should have let the JB Weld cure for several days before I started to work it. I see that the directions say that it can be machined.

al pa. · 04-06-2015, 08:11 PM

I used PC-7,no cracks,about 5 years.

totto · 04-06-2015, 09:52 PM

I used PC-7 as well and that was 10 years ago and painted the wheel with black acrylic lacquer. I follow the book: Steering Wheel Restoration Handbook by Jack Turpin. I bought the book from Eastwoods. Has some very good info.

Henry

Lawson Cox · 04-06-2015, 11:08 PM

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

PC7 over JB weld any day of the week.

peewee2you · 04-07-2015, 02:10 AM

I just did my VW steering wheel was in very bad shape, used PC7 one reason is no sag or drip and can work with it up to an hour, and is workable also with denatured alcohol and icing knife to minimize sanding etc. They also make a product called Fix It Stick which as well is a 2 part epoxy, you simply cut the portion needed nead between your fingers or palms and press into joints etc. I will try my hand restoring my 47 Ford wheel next. Here are a few photo's

this one photo below had a section of 1/2" in height and 3" in length completely missing I used the spray can cap as a foundation along with a piece of was paper as a membrane between cap and PC7 as it does not stick to wax paper so I could remove cap after it dried.

photo below all sanded nicely and ready for primer coat

primer coat below:

base coat below:

Needs another base coat, then some clear and good to go. I had never done this before watched a youtube video and figured what do I have to lose, a repro cost $550.00 spent about $20 in material, used 60 grit, 100 grit, 800 grit..sandpaper

1938 Woody Cape Cod · 04-07-2015, 03:15 AM

PC-7 is the way to go.....................

Admiral · 04-07-2015, 07:53 AM

Nice work, guys! I like these repairs, they look great and are VERY affordable to do yourself.

Kube · 04-07-2015, 11:06 AM

PC-7 was the best for years upon years. I used it myself for many years and many wheels with great results.
However, nowadays you might want to consider body filler designed for plastic bumpers, etc. It is specifically designed to withstand temperature extremes, shocks, and will not shrink.

Fourdy · 04-07-2015, 12:46 PM

I used the PC7 also. I had quite a few cracks to repair. I use a dremel to help key in the epoxy. D/P prime, base coat clear coat. By the way. The trim is real bird's eye maple. That took a little work. lol

OLD REK · 04-07-2015, 03:29 PM

PC7??? Never heard of it......or is it another "Only in America" product??

Jay in Mass · 04-07-2015, 04:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kube

PC-7 was the best for years upon years. I used it myself for many years and many wheels with great results.
However, nowadays you might want to consider body filler designed for plastic bumpers, etc. It is specifically designed to withstand temperature extremes, shocks, and will not shrink.

That's what I've been using for years and it has worked well for me. I especially like the fact that it has some resistance to it like the plastic bumpers and it does not shrink.

FrankWest · 04-08-2015, 06:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jrhaelig

Like many of us I had cracks at the top and bottom of each spoke on my steering wheel.

It was to the point that one of the cracks bloodied my finger a few months ago, so I knew I needed to do something.

Yesterday I mixed up some JB Weld & stuffed the cracks. A few minutes with some 80 grit followed by 150 gave me some excellent results.

A few strokes with a black marker and by golly it's as good as the rest of the truck - and no more bloody fingers!

Flash is a bit bright, but the daylight results are great.

Today you can get Black JB weld.
Did you do the work with the wheel on the car?

jrhaelig · 04-08-2015, 08:38 PM

OK - so PC7 is better and I could have gotten black JBWeld. I did do it with the wheel installed so it was only about an hour invested.

If it blows out in 8 or 10 years I'll do it over.

FrankWest · 04-09-2015, 07:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jrhaelig

OK - so PC7 is better and I could have gotten black JBWeld. I did do it with the wheel installed so it was only about an hour invested.

If it blows out in 8 or 10 years I'll do it over.

Good to know.
Maybe I have a wrong attitude... But with a cars this old I am always afraid of taking things apart unless I really have too. Because, Bolts and parts can become rusted solid into one piece. Where these was once a nut and and bolt and fitting....Now it has become one solid mass..That could hold well for the next 30 years, but if you try to dissassemble it you could break surrounding parts that were perfectly good.
I would rather slowly and carefully fill the cracks in my steering wheel while on the car.
Funny, I remember a post on this board where someone said,
All that needs to be done on his car was to remove all the parts, strip them and the paint and reinstall..."That should not cost much? Right!"
The guy that asked this question probably never tried to remove ONE rusted nut before. VERY FUNNY

jimTN · 04-09-2015, 07:45 AM

What is PC7 and who sells it?

JSeery · 04-09-2015, 08:24 AM

http://www.pcepoxy.com/

http://www.acehardware.com/product/i...ductId=1409482

http://www.pcepoxy.com/our-products/...oxies/pc-7.php

http://www.amazon.com/PC-Products-Tw.../dp/B008H4QSAW

http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_nkw=pc-7+epoxy

About 15-20 sec on the internet will provide you answers!

Cecil/WV · 04-10-2015, 07:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jimTN

What is PC7 and who sells it?

Lowes

peewee2you · 04-10-2015, 04:18 PM

FrankWest, you are correct unless you know how it comes apart and have the correct tools, usually best to leave it alone until you know.. because at times can lead to bigger head aches. Perhaps the JBWeld has added the additional strength so that at some point you can remove the wheel and touch it up a bit with some paint, then again not everything has to be perfect. Good job..

04-05-2015, 07:04 PM	#1
jrhaelig Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Bridgewater, New Jersey Posts: 264	Restored My Cracked Steering Wheel Like many of us I had cracks at the top and bottom of each spoke on my steering wheel. It was to the point that one of the cracks bloodied my finger a few months ago, so I knew I needed to do something. Yesterday I mixed up some JB Weld & stuffed the cracks. A few minutes with some 80 grit followed by 150 gave me some excellent results. A few strokes with a black marker and by golly it's as good as the rest of the truck - and no more bloody fingers! Flash is a bit bright, but the daylight results are great. __________________ John Haelig Bridgewater, NJ 1939 Ford Pickup 1963 Lincoln Continental 1939 Buick

04-05-2015, 08:01 PM	#2
RalphG Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2014 Location: Sask. Canada Posts: 2,424	Re: Restored My Cracked Steering Wheel That JBweld is great stuff. My steering wheels don't need it but if they did I wouldn't hesitate to try it. __________________ https://www.youtube.com/user/roosty6/videos

04-06-2015, 08:03 PM	#3
V12Bill Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Mt. Holly,NJ Posts: 1,822	Re: Restored My Cracked Steering Wheel I used JB Weld to repair my steering wheel also. After a year or so it appeared to shrink the the repairs are visible. Maybe I should have let the JB Weld cure for several days before I started to work it. I see that the directions say that it can be machined.

04-06-2015, 08:11 PM	#4
al pa. Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: pgh.pa. Posts: 321	Re: Restored My Cracked Steering Wheel I used PC-7,no cracks,about 5 years.

04-06-2015, 09:52 PM	#5
totto Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Midland, MI Posts: 222	Re: Restored My Cracked Steering Wheel I used PC-7 as well and that was 10 years ago and painted the wheel with black acrylic lacquer. I follow the book: Steering Wheel Restoration Handbook by Jack Turpin. I bought the book from Eastwoods. Has some very good info. Henry

04-06-2015, 11:08 PM	#6
Lawson Cox Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Above the gnat line in Georgia Posts: 7,009	Re: Restored My Cracked Steering Wheel Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) PC7 over JB weld any day of the week. __________________ Life is like a roll of toilet paper. The closer to the end, the faster it goes. It is better to be seen, than viewed. "We sleep safe in our beds because rough men stand ready in the night to visit violence on those who would do us harm".

04-07-2015, 02:10 AM	#7
peewee2you Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Elk Grove, CA Posts: 663	Re: Restored My Cracked Steering Wheel I just did my VW steering wheel was in very bad shape, used PC7 one reason is no sag or drip and can work with it up to an hour, and is workable also with denatured alcohol and icing knife to minimize sanding etc. They also make a product called Fix It Stick which as well is a 2 part epoxy, you simply cut the portion needed nead between your fingers or palms and press into joints etc. I will try my hand restoring my 47 Ford wheel next. Here are a few photo's this one photo below had a section of 1/2" in height and 3" in length completely missing I used the spray can cap as a foundation along with a piece of was paper as a membrane between cap and PC7 as it does not stick to wax paper so I could remove cap after it dried. photo below all sanded nicely and ready for primer coat primer coat below: base coat below: Needs another base coat, then some clear and good to go. I had never done this before watched a youtube video and figured what do I have to lose, a repro cost $550.00 spent about $20 in material, used 60 grit, 100 grit, 800 grit..sandpaper

04-07-2015, 03:15 AM	#8
1938 Woody Cape Cod Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Cape Cod Ma. Posts: 129	Re: Restored My Cracked Steering Wheel PC-7 is the way to go.....................

04-07-2015, 07:53 AM	#9
Admiral Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Oakland County, Michigan Posts: 562	Re: Restored My Cracked Steering Wheel Nice work, guys! I like these repairs, they look great and are VERY affordable to do yourself.

04-07-2015, 11:06 AM	#10
Kube Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Wisconsin, USA Posts: 8,996	Re: Restored My Cracked Steering Wheel PC-7 was the best for years upon years. I used it myself for many years and many wheels with great results. However, nowadays you might want to consider body filler designed for plastic bumpers, etc. It is specifically designed to withstand temperature extremes, shocks, and will not shrink. __________________ "I can explain it for you. However, I can't understand it for you".

04-07-2015, 12:46 PM	#11
Fourdy Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Port Townsend, WA Posts: 601	Re: Restored My Cracked Steering Wheel I used the PC7 also. I had quite a few cracks to repair. I use a dremel to help key in the epoxy. D/P prime, base coat clear coat. By the way. The trim is real bird's eye maple. That took a little work. lol __________________ My 24 T http://fordbarn.com/forum/showthread...ghlight=fourdy

04-07-2015, 03:29 PM	#12
OLD REK Junior Member Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: Manitoba, Canada Posts: 19	Re: Restored My Cracked Steering Wheel PC7??? Never heard of it......or is it another "Only in America" product??

04-08-2015, 08:38 PM	#15
jrhaelig Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Bridgewater, New Jersey Posts: 264	Re: Restored My Cracked Steering Wheel OK - so PC7 is better and I could have gotten black JBWeld. I did do it with the wheel installed so it was only about an hour invested. If it blows out in 8 or 10 years I'll do it over. __________________ John Haelig Bridgewater, NJ 1939 Ford Pickup 1963 Lincoln Continental 1939 Buick

04-09-2015, 07:45 AM	#17
jimTN Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Powell, TN Posts: 2,509	Re: Restored My Cracked Steering Wheel What is PC7 and who sells it?

04-09-2015, 08:24 AM	#18
JSeery Member Emeritus Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: Wichita KS Posts: 16,132	Re: Restored My Cracked Steering Wheel http://www.pcepoxy.com/ http://www.acehardware.com/product/i...ductId=1409482 http://www.pcepoxy.com/our-products/...oxies/pc-7.php http://www.amazon.com/PC-Products-Tw.../dp/B008H4QSAW http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_nkw=pc-7+epoxy About 15-20 sec on the internet will provide you answers!

04-10-2015, 04:18 PM	#20
peewee2you Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Elk Grove, CA Posts: 663	Re: Restored My Cracked Steering Wheel FrankWest, you are correct unless you know how it comes apart and have the correct tools, usually best to leave it alone until you know.. because at times can lead to bigger head aches. Perhaps the JBWeld has added the additional strength so that at some point you can remove the wheel and touch it up a bit with some paint, then again not everything has to be perfect. Good job..