Jump to content
HybridZ

Restoring Original Steering Wheel


240zBoy

Recommended Posts

I would like get my steering wheel back into good shape and was looking for some input. It should be pretty straight forward but I was wondering what type of stains for the wood you guys would reccommend. Also maybe any special tricks you all use. Thought it would be a fun and rewarding little project.

My thoughts are to use something like minwax polyurethane and then put 2 coats of clear on it. Not like I can not resand it if I do not like the look with the clear but I think it will really make it pop and protect it even better.

Edited by 240zBoy
Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 4 weeks later...

I would like get my steering wheel back into good shape and was looking for some input. It should be pretty straight forward but I was wondering what type of stains for the wood you guys would reccommend. Also maybe any special tricks you all use. Thought it would be a fun and rewarding little project.

My thoughts are to use something like minwax polyurethane and then put 2 coats of clear on it. Not like I can not resand it if I do not like the look with the clear but I think it will really make it pop and protect it even better.

 

I am assuming from your screen name that we are talking about the wood steering wheel used on the early Z.

 

You need no stain at all.

 

Here is how I did mine...

 

First remove the wheel and all that can be removed from the hub.

Next, tape the 'wood' portion of the wheel well with painters tape.

Bead blast or soda blast the spoke and hub portion of the wheel.

Remove and retape the 'wood' portion of the wheel being careful to blow off all traces of glass bead or soda.

Prime the spoke/hub portion and allow to dry.

Paint the spoke/hub portion with a good black satin paint and allow to dry.

Remove paint from 'wood' portion of the wheel.

Mask spoke/hub portion with painters tape.

Using steel wool, remove the finish from the 'wood' portion until it is a dull white and feels like a spanked-baby's-ass.

Remove the painters tape masking and blow off all remains of the steel wool.

Remask the spoke/hub portion.

Using a good quality marine grade gloss varnish carefully varnish the 'wood' portion and allow to dry.

Using ever finer steel wool, re-smooth between each of two to three coats.

Apply a wax coat if you wish.

 

What appears to be wood, is actually wood fibers with resin. The clear gloss varnish will give it the deep red stained look it had when it was new.

post-19365-066517300 1342381100_thumb.jpg

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

×
×
  • Create New...