MTFCA Forum

Does anyone have any tips on refurbishing the old rubber black steering wheels? Mine has some cracks and is generally worn looking.

JBog wrote: ↑

Fri Mar 22, 2024 11:56 am

Does anyone have any tips on refurbishing the old rubber black steering wheels? Mine has some cracks and is generally worn looking.

Try these
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Thank you Frank !.. You’ve dug up some excellent advice ! I’ve even had that question. Including fastening back together a broken Fordite rim. Now to put your good advice to work

I read this including the 3 previous archived posts, I did not see what material was used to fix cracks, maybe I missed it. George

An old friend restored A wheels with bowling ball epoxy. (used to repair chipped balls)

George Hand wrote: ↑

Fri Mar 22, 2024 8:01 pm

I read this including the 3 previous archived posts, I did not see what material was used to fix cracks, maybe I missed it. George

I wonder if you could use that paint on rubber, Flex Seal, that's always on tv?

George Hand wrote: ↑

Fri Mar 22, 2024 8:01 pm

I read this including the 3 previous archived posts, I did not see what material was used to fix cracks, maybe I missed it. George

I used Flex Steel Paste to restore a 1913-22 switch base that was made of hard rubber. It blended in so well you cant tell & its hard. It may not be the best product to use the on the steering wheel, but a possibility. I did have a Fordite wheel in the past & think it would work. They have a smaller can now. Haven't used their liquid yet

If it's cracked up, why not replace it - Bob's Antique Auto Parts was reproducing 16" black rims a number of years ago - I might still have one in stock.

Fill the cracks by pressing in JB Weld. Smooth as much as possible by gently smoothing with a wet finger before it sets up. Spray with Rustoleum gloss black Appliance Epoxy. When good and dry, Use Meguiar’s rubbing compound to polish to a mirror shine. Jim Patrick.

The A steering wheel had a steel core inside the Fordite. No problem patching it up. However, the T steering wheel does not. It would be dangerous to try to repair any wheel which has a piece broken out of it. For external cracks around the edge, repair would be OK. Remember you might need the steering to work when going around a curve. Better safe than dead or severely injured.
Norm

I'm with Norman - Lacking a metal core I suspect at some point when it is most inconvenient the wheel might break in your hand. I'd vote for replacement. Fordite was not one of Henry's successes.

Even if it were to break, you still have four sturdy steel arms of the spider to steer with. Not a big deal.

I restore the Fordite steering wheels by sanding and polishing. They always come out great. I recently restored one and had it hanging from the garage door tracks and it fell and broke. It didn’t break in two but split open so it was not a closed circle. I used some JB weld epoxy and clamped it together. It seems as strong as it was before it broke. You can see the crack but it still seems strong and usable.

Ahhh! Live on the edge. Repair it! Use SEM's product. 50 second glue or panel bonding adhesive. Look at the sem's product sheets to determine application.