[Greg Reid]

I picked up a really decent '69 wood wheel that needs some minor refinishing...mainly for color. No major cracks, just some 'crazing' that won't catch a fingernail. The center is in good shape after I got that stickyness out of it.
Someone had a thread restoring one a while back but I can't remember where it was. Anyone remember?
I have no real use for a '69 wheel but might sell it or trade it for a '67-'68 wheel in similar condition..or I may just stick it on my '68. It's a nice looking wheel.
Right now, looking for re-finishing tips and techniques and also trying to ID whether it's an original or repop.
It definitely has some age on it. I would think that it is at least 25 years old.

[marxjunk]

google..or youtube..there must be 10,000 posting about wood wheel cosmetic restos there

if ya like books, home depot has Faux wood finishes and ya just find what ya like and put it on the wheel..

I always though about just doing one in black to kinda hide the swap..i hate huge steering wheels...and like the size of the 68-70 wheel

[Greg Reid]

Thanks, I'll try that. I did not really think I was interested in a wood wheel since I have an even rarer Custom Deluxe wheel in very good condition. They are almost unobtainable in good condition but I do like the size of this wheel.
The rubber horn button was very sticky...to the point where you'd want to wash your hands after holding it. I experimented with different things and it is very nice now, no stickyness at all.

[north]

Greg, not sure what wheel you are referring to, never heard of a custom deluxe? any pics?

[Greg Reid]

Oops....I was combining names I think...I meant Deluxe Wheel. Like so..

[68ragtop]

On a related note, I recently bought the 68 (67) repop wheel & install kit. I thought I read where some members were not all that impressed with its quality. I was presently surprised with it while not expecting much. Yes, its plastic, but dang, the sections & grain I thought looked pretty good. only complaint is there is some of the stain or paint on the edges of the spokes. I'll try to clean that up when I install it. But, in fairness, I have never compared it to a nice original.

[Greg Reid]

Now that you've brought this back up, I haven't done an extensive search but I still did not come across anything on restoring one of these.
I'm not sure what it's made of, whether I can use stripper, oven cleaner, should I sand it, etc.
Also, do the originals have a part number anywhere?

[Verdoro 68]

When I got mine, all of the grain was gone and it had the crazing you mention. Not sure if it will help, but here's the grain and color of mine after I had it restored by PY about 10 years ago. I'm not sure if they recast the wheels or had some technique to produce the grain.

[Greg Reid]

That helps...at least I can see how it's supposed to look and the color. Mine has some grain showing but not a lot. Nice wheel by the way.
Here is the one in question-

[Peter Serio]

The ones PYs used to restore I believe all of the old faded plastic was removed, spokes straightened (if need be) and then re-cast with a tan hard cure plastic. The mold was re-usable up to a certain point and there were actually some slight variations of the finished wheels. The mold may have had to have be re-made after so many uses. After the casting process they wiped a dark brown stain on to highlight some of the molded-in wood grain. Those must have been finished off with a coat or two of satin polyurethane sealer. Quite an undertaking for Chris and his team; most likely very labor intensive.

[Scott Thelander]

use that one and enjoy the patina ...

they are only a survivor once .............

[Greg Reid]

I think you are correct Pete. The photos posted above by Ken are enough evidence to suggest that it was recast. Just don't see how you could get that effect otherwise.
I have a lead on an old article on restoring them. Waiting to see.
I have considered putting it on my '68, as is, even though the wheel is a '69 Ken. Pretty nice looking wheel after I salvaged the sticky horn button.

[Greg Reid]

I'm sorry Scott, I mis-called you Ken above in my response about running the wheel as is.
At any rate, someone sent me some suggestions that I will try. When I get to it, I'll post results.

[Greg Reid]

Originally Posted by Verdoro 68

When I got mine, all of the grain was gone and it had the crazing you mention. Not sure if it will help, but here's the grain and color of mine after I had it restored by PY about 10 years ago. I'm not sure if they recast the wheels or had some technique to produce the grain.

Ken, how many dovetails in that wheel, 3 or 6?
I'm experimenting with methods to simulate these and the woodgrain and I think the dovetails are a major part of the illusion. The grain changes direction at the joints based on how many sections it's divided into.

[4zpeed]

Originally Posted by Greg Reid

I have an even rarer Custom Deluxe wheel in very good condition. They are almost unobtainable in good condition.

I didn't realize these were rare, I thought they were the standard steering wheel?

I prefer it over the wood wheel, but like you said, they usually need some attention.

Ames is supposed to be working on a repo. but haven't heard anything for a while.


Frank

[Verdoro 68]

Originally Posted by Greg Reid

Ken, how many dovetails in that wheel, 3 or 6?
I'm experimenting with methods to simulate these and the woodgrain and I think the dovetails are a major part of the illusion. The grain changes direction at the joints based on how many sections it's divided into.

There's 6. Some of them are pretty subtle.

[Greg Reid]

6 it is then. I'm trying to 'suggest' them with a dental pick. Subtle is the key.

Some of the lines will need to be cleaned up. Had to get a technique that works... but I have a plan and I think it will be passable when I'm done.

[Jeff Hamlin]

Funny that they went to the trouble to simulate finger joints on these faux wood wheels.

When I pointed this out on my un-restored '65-'66 wheel no one seemed to know of this detail.
Your '69 has the same or similar layout of 6 finger joints.

Interesting detail for sure.

[Greg Reid]

Boy Jeff, I wish I'd seen that before I started on mine. I've already mis-placed my joints so that half of them are going to wind up on the spokes. Still though, very helpful. Thanks!

[dataway]

Jeez what a sweet looking wheel and dash.