Steering Wheel Restoration

[Mark Reich]

I am thinking of restoring a black plastic steering wheel for my T5. The plastic is intact but chipped an worn through in places. I was wondering whether it is better to have the original plastic painted or to have it redone by Koch. Any thoughts appreciated.

Thanks.

Mark

[Doug McDonnell]

It depends on what you are willing to accept. Here is a link where some have repaired the bakelite and repainted. Others put a leather cover on. Hard to beat a restored one by Kochs though if you want perfect. viewtopic.php?f=1&t=41285&hilit=steerin ... estoration

[Mark Reich]

I am looking for the best method. I actually intend to display the wheel as I currently have a wood wheel in the car and want to have the original plastic wheel in excellent condition. I want to know whether there is value in saving the original plastic or whether Kochs is the way to go for a first rate restoration.

Thanks.

Mark

[Mark Reich]

Looks like the thread Doug references was started by me! I think this is a deja vu moment as I am asking the same old question! Any additional thoughts will be appreciated.

Mark

[Jim Nelson]

Koch's does a great job, and they're pretty nice people, too.

[George Hussey]

Bruce Crawford restored my carrera factory wheel and does PERFECT work.

[Jay Wiener]

Is there anybody besides Koch to restore a bakelite wheel?

[Jim Liberty]

Kochs. .....................Jim.

[Jim Alton]

Is there anybody besides Koch to restore a bakelite wheel?

There's Vic Miles (contact information on the Registry Vendors Page).

[Martin Benade]

If your plastic part is not in terrible shape some bodywork and a paint job should make the wheel essentially perfect. The trickiest part is masking the edge where it meets the steel spokes. Done nicely the rest should be indistinguishable from a recast. Certainly good enough for the wall.

[Peter Silten]

I have had several steering wheels restored by Koch's. They are the best and their prices are very reasonable.

[Charles H Jacobus]

I am looking for the best method. I actually intend to display the wheel as I currently have a wood wheel in the car and want to have the original plastic wheel in excellent condition. I want to know whether there is value in saving the original plastic or whether Kochs is the way to go for a first rate restoration.

Thanks.

Mark

What kind of wood wheel? Are you looking to sell it?

Chuck

[Robert Reed]

Mark;
I had pretty good success with the product pictured below. I sanded down the wheel and then used a filler primer to smooth out the areas that were a little compromised. The rim had had a cover laced onto it sometime in it’s life. For final sanding I used a very fine bronze wool before using the top coat. I must say that care needs to be taken as the paint is very thin and can easily run.
Bob

[Mark Reich]

Bob -

That looks really interesting. I might give it a shot.

No, ny Jack Arckt (RIP) wood wheel is not for sale - it is a work of art and I love it. This one is for display and so I can say I have a correct wheel!

Mark

[Ned Gorski]

i have restored many 356 non wood wheels, the trick is to dig out the cracks with a dentist pick, file or a dremel then fill with with bondo . When in doubt remove the old material and add bondo..You want a fresh rough new surface for the filler to adhere to or it will recrack, don't be shy dig it out the deeper the better . I have also sent wheels out to kochs when they are two far gone .. both ways came out looking good as new .. There is also a chrome paint that can be used on the spokes then buffed out. i've never used it but i seen it on a few cars at a pca meet. i was surprised on how original it looked .i honestly couldn't tell the difference.
My advice try repairing the wheel yourself it's actually quite enjoyable you really have nothing to lose other than $20 for bondo and paint and wet sandpaper, you really can't screw it up, keep adding and wet sanding until it look right. Then paint ( don't add any 2nd round bondo until you are sure the wheel is 100 percent dry after wet sanding) .....Also be sure to blue tape up you spokes prior to doing any sanding. you don't want to chance scratching a spoke by accident. good luck post some pictures when you are done .

Regards
Ned