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#1
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'69 wood wheel
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.
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Greg Reid Palmetto, Georgia |
#2
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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
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Mark.. The Goat whisperer "I spent a lot of my money on booze, crazy women, and fast cars. The rest I just squandered." |
#3
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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.
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Greg Reid Palmetto, Georgia |
#4
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Greg, not sure what wheel you are referring to, never heard of a custom deluxe? any pics?
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My Break Away Squad 1969 Fbird (Base, 350 & Sprint Cvt’s - 400HO & TA Hardtops) 1969 LeMans (2dr & 4dr Hardtop and a Cvt) 1969 LeMans Safari 2 seat Wagon 1969 GTO (2 Cvt, 2 Hardtops & Judge Hardtop) 1969 Catalina (3 Cvt’s & a 2dr hardtop) 1969 Ventura 2 Seat Wagon 1969 Executive 4dr Sedan 1969 Bonnie Cvt 1969 Bonnie 3 Seat Wagon (2 of them) 1969 Bonnie Brougham (4dr Hardtop & Cvt) 1969 Grand Prix SJ (2 of them) 1969 2+2 2dr Hardtop (Canadian model) |
#5
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Oops....I was combining names I think...I meant Deluxe Wheel. Like so..
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Greg Reid Palmetto, Georgia |
#6
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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.
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68 GTO 4-spd Convertible 78 S/E Trans am L78, WS6 Auto 78 S/E Trans am W72, WS6 Auto 79 10th aniv W72 Trans am 80 Indy pace car Trans am 89 Trans am GTA |
#7
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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?
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Greg Reid Palmetto, Georgia |
#8
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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.
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Ken '68 GTO - Ram Air II 464 - 236/242 roller - 9.5” TSP converter - 3.55 posi (build thread | walk around) '95 Comp T/A #6 M6 - bone stock (pics) |
#9
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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-
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Greg Reid Palmetto, Georgia |
#10
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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.
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Peter Serio Owner, Precision Pontiac |
#11
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practice on another one
use that one and enjoy the patina ...
they are only a survivor once ............. |
#12
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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.
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Greg Reid Palmetto, Georgia |
#13
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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.
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Greg Reid Palmetto, Georgia |
#14
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Quote:
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.
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Greg Reid Palmetto, Georgia Last edited by Greg Reid; 07-15-2018 at 03:18 PM. |
#15
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Quote:
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
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Poncho Huggen, Gear Snatchen, Posi Piro. |
#16
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There's 6. Some of them are pretty subtle.
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Ken '68 GTO - Ram Air II 464 - 236/242 roller - 9.5” TSP converter - 3.55 posi (build thread | walk around) '95 Comp T/A #6 M6 - bone stock (pics) |
#17
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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.
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Greg Reid Palmetto, Georgia |
#18
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FINGER JOINTS
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.
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When I die, I want to go peacefully like my grandfather did, in his sleep. Not screaming like the passengers in his car. Last edited by Jeff Hamlin; 05-30-2023 at 06:00 AM. |
#19
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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!
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Greg Reid Palmetto, Georgia |
#20
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Jeez what a sweet looking wheel and dash.
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