Wood grain steering wheel

[Richard Cranium]

Who's the preferred person/place to go to for resetoration?

Thanks in advance. 

[Ghoste]

There are a few who are members here that do excellent work.

http://www.dodgecharger.com/forum/index.php/topic,72672.0.html

http://www.dodgecharger.com/forum/index.php/topic,37943.0.html

And there is a third one as well but I can't find his info now.

[moparstuart]

gswrestorations@aol.com

  my buddy rod goes a great job  , email him     tell him i sent ya he will hook you up

[plumbeeper]

Like this?


Contact me anytime

Dave

[1969chargerrtse]

Like this?


Contact me anytime

Dave

And approximate cost is?

[Tilar]

Like this?


Contact me anytime

Dave

And approximate cost is?

I'm interested in this too... Not only does my wheel need restored, the rest of the car needs attention too. 

[tan top]

Like this?


Contact me anytime

Dave

nice job on the wheel 

[Just 6T9 CHGR]

this thread reminds me I have to take mine off for the winter!!! 

[1969chargerrtse]

this thread reminds me I have to take mine off for the winter!!! 

Take it off for the winter because?  To be restored or winter is what cracks them?

[Just 6T9 CHGR]

I dont trust the freezing temps in my unheated garage wont crack my nicey, nice Drivers Ed Simulator wheel

[bakerhillpins]

Please excuse the ignorance. Are the original wheels real wood or a synthetic wood substitute? I expect that its not real wood but I have never seen one up close.

[Davtona]

Please excuse the ignorance. Are the original wheels real wood or a synthetic wood substitute? I expect that its not real wood but I have never seen one up close.

They are not real wood. Some type of plastic. Not sure what type other than maybe the cracking type as they are notorious for shrinking & cracking.

[1969chargerrtse]

Mine is original and has one crack, and it ain't wood. Others will know what the name of the hard plastic material is   .

[plumbeeper]

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Contact me anytime

Dave

And approximate cost is?

Costs will depend on the current condition of your wheel. We start them out at around $300 and go up from there depending on the current condition and what kind of parts you'll need. The pic I attached is actually a new wheel tweaked just a little for that NOS look

All new perfect better than NOS parts and we can finish them to look like the 68-69 model or the 70.

Dave

[tan top]

Like this?


Contact me anytime

Dave

And approximate cost is?

Costs will depend on the current condition of your wheel. We start them out at around $300 and go up from there depending on the current condition and what kind of parts you'll need. The pic I attached is actually a new wheel tweaked just a little for that NOS look

All new perfect better than NOS parts and we can finish them to look like the 68-69 model or the 70.

Dave

oh right fooled me  cause the spokes are soo shiney on the repops 

[68r/t]

Like this?


Contact me anytime

Dave

And approximate cost is?

Costs will depend on the current condition of your wheel. We start them out at around $300 and go up from there depending on the current condition and what kind of parts you'll need. The pic I attached is actually a new wheel tweaked just a little for that NOS look

All new perfect better than NOS parts and we can finish them to look like the 68-69 model or the 70.

Dave

oh right fooled me  cause the spokes are soo shiney on the repops 

The "woodgrain" on the repo wheels is a joke,  it is a tan wheel with a little black speck thrown in, it looks nothing like the one pictured above.
I just bought one and  and am not really happy with it, on the other hand the repo horn pad and adapter ring are top quality.

[tan top]

Like this?


Contact me anytime

Dave

And approximate cost is?

Costs will depend on the current condition of your wheel. We start them out at around $300 and go up from there depending on the current condition and what kind of parts you'll need. The pic I attached is actually a new wheel tweaked just a little for that NOS look

All new perfect better than NOS parts and we can finish them to look like the 68-69 model or the 70.

Dave

oh right fooled me  cause the spokes are soo shiney on the repops 

The "woodgrain" on the repo wheels is a joke,  it is a tan wheel with a little black speck thrown in, it looks nothing like the one pictured above.
I just bought one and  and am not really happy with it, on the other hand the repo horn pad and adapter ring are top quality.

oh i see never seen a repop up close , just from what i have seen on web sites  why go to all that trouble then & not repop the wheel correct although this could be said for a number of repop parts

[bull]

I dont trust the freezing temps in my unheated garage wont crack my nicey, nice Drivers Ed Simulator wheel

Leave it on, quit being a pansy. I bet it's like concrete; if you carve a line in it with a hacksaw or something it would be fine.

[bakerhillpins]

The "woodgrain" on the repo wheels is a joke,  it is a tan wheel with a little black speck thrown in, it looks nothing like the one pictured above.
I just bought one and  and am not really happy with it, on the other hand the repo horn pad and adapter ring are top quality.

Have the time to post a pic to show the differences with that pictured above?

[RR70]

For a few shots of my wheel restoration work, send me an e-mail address. I'll send you all you want.
Thanx,  Rod,  gswrestorations@aol.com

[plumbeeper]

Like this?


Contact me anytime

Dave

And approximate cost is?

Costs will depend on the current condition of your wheel. We start them out at around $300 and go up from there depending on the current condition and what kind of parts you'll need. The pic I attached is actually a new wheel tweaked just a little for that NOS look

All new perfect better than NOS parts and we can finish them to look like the 68-69 model or the 70.

Dave

oh right fooled me  cause the spokes are soo shiney on the repops 

The "woodgrain" on the repo wheels is a joke,  it is a tan wheel with a little black speck thrown in, it looks nothing like the one pictured above.
I just bought one and  and am not really happy with it, on the other hand the repo horn pad and adapter ring are top quality.

We can take care of that for you.

[68r/t]

The "woodgrain" on the repo wheels is a joke,  it is a tan wheel with a little black speck thrown in, it looks nothing like the one pictured above.
I just bought one and  and am not really happy with it, on the other hand the repo horn pad and adapter ring are top quality.

Have the time to post a pic to show the differences with that pictured above?

OK, the flash makes it look better than it is, but I hope  you get the idea and I still have to find an emblem for the horn pad.  The restored wheel above looks much better I think.

[bakerhillpins]

At a minimum it looks like its missing the wooden texture of the other wheel as the reflection of the flash in your wheel shows a smooth finish.

[Ghoste]

If I thought I were keeping my 67 I'd get the woodgrain prettied up in my car.  The spokes are in great shape and there are no cracks in the rim, just has the texture worn smooth.   

[68r/t]

At a minimum it looks like its missing the wooden texture of the other wheel as the reflection of the flash in your wheel shows a smooth finish.

Yes it is smooth and has no texture, with out the flash it is a tan color and  I have already scuffed the spokes with scotchbright to try and dull them done a bit.

Like this?


Contact me anytime

Dave

And approximate cost is?

Costs will depend on the current condition of your wheel. We start them out at around $300 and go up from there depending on the current condition and what kind of parts you'll need. The pic I attached is actually a new wheel tweaked just a little for that NOS look

All new perfect better than NOS parts and we can finish them to look like the 68-69 model or the 70.

Dave

oh right fooled me   cause the spokes are soo shiney on the repops  

The "woodgrain" on the repo wheels is a joke,  it is a tan wheel with a little black speck thrown in, it looks nothing like the one pictured above.
I just bought one and  and am not really happy with it, on the other hand the repo horn pad and adapter ring are top quality.

We can take care of that for you.

I think I will take you up on that in the near future.

[stwheels]

Here is a link to an earlier thread if you'd like to see my process of repairing and refinishing wood grain wheels.

http://www.dodgecharger.com/forum/index.php/topic,36526.0.html

You can also check out my web site : www.stwheelz.com or my "The Steering Wheel Guy" FaceBook page for lots of pictures : http://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Steering-Wheel-Guy/200617011737?ref=ts

The attached picture is of a wheel I recently completed for a Hemi Charger that was restored by Kori Alexander (Show and Go Restorations in Red Deer, AB)

Doug Lepak
The Steering Wheel Guy
web site: www.stwheelz.com

[tan top]

nice work on that wheel Doug

[bakerhillpins]

So which is correct - A smooth finish or a textured wood finish?  Or does it change with model/year?

[68 RT]

So which is correct - A smooth finish or a textured wood finish?  Or does it change with model/year?

The bottom pic is correct. 

[stwheels]

They originally had some texture to the surface. I make my wheels smooth and bury the stainless rings under the clear coat also. It's just the way I do them and I have a large following of customers who like it that way. I can also make the surface rough for those who prefer a more original texture but the majority of my customers prefer the smooth look and feel.

To make the textured finish it's necessary to cut the grain into the surface of the rim and then apply minimal clear over it so the graining still shows. When I do the smooth finish, the wood grain is all drawn on by hand using a .05 tipped technical pen. Then everything is buried under several coats of clear acrylic urethane.

The picture of my wood graining is before the surface was buffed down to a satin sheen.

I am also able to re-plate your rusty and pitted spokes back to the original satin sheen.

Thanks, Doug Lepak
The Steering Wheel Guy
web site: www.stwheelz.com

[Just 6T9 CHGR]

Attached are some close up pics of my drivers ed simulator wheel......as close to NOS as you can get IMHO.

You can see the grain is cut into the wheel & has feeling to it

& yes Rob & Curtis the wheel stays warm & toasty inside the house for the winter

[Magnumcharger]

Neet-o pics Doug!!!
Thanks for chiming in!

[moparstuart]

For a few shots of my wheel restoration work, send me an e-mail address. I'll send you all you want.
Thanx,  Rod,  gswrestorations@aol.com

here are pictures of rod's restored wheels , they have the correct texture and graining .

[moparstuart]

   more

[tan top]

 more

thats a nice job also 

[stwheels]

Neet-o pics Doug!!!
Thanks for chiming in!

Thanks Rob!

A you can see there are many options and levels of finish out there, but it all comes down to personal preference. Look them all over, ask lots of questions about materials and method of repairs/refinishing, then decide which person or shop provides the greatest value for you and you vehicle. There are more than enough wheels needing to be worked on so spread em around and keep us all busy.

Have a Great Thanksgiving weekend everyone! 

[clanton]

WOW!!!!!!!! I dig that all black steering wheel!!!!!!!!! I have a new (old) steering wheel that is near NOS cond, but is bent due to being used as an air bag back in the 70s. Can you straiten it? Also my other is used with the regular split gaps, can you fill and do it black. On the issue of the black wheel, is that rather hard, as in resisting scratches and nicks? 

[stwheels]

WOW!!!!!!!! I dig that all black steering wheel!!!!!!!!! I have a new (old) steering wheel that is near NOS cond, but is bent due to being used as an air bag back in the 70s. Can you straiten it? Also my other is used with the regular split gaps, can you fill and do it black. On the issue of the black wheel, is that rather hard, as in resisting scratches and nicks?  

Hey Clanton the Black version of the wood grain wheel is one of my favorites too!  I'd have to see some pictures of your bent wheel to know if it can be straightened or not. Your other wheel sounds pretty typical and would be no problem to repair and refinish in Black.

The repairs are made with resin then the rim is wrapped with random weave carbon fiber cloth and 3 more coats of resin. Any gaps behind or around the stainless rings are fill with the resin and then the final coat of resin is sanded flush with the stainless rings. Next I airbrush the rim  a Tan color that matches the plastic the rim was molded from and then spray on a transparent Brown wood stain color. The wood grain is then drawn on the rim using a .05 technical pen and sealed with several coats of clear acrylic urethane (RM DC5600).

When the clear has set, I buff down the finish to a satin sheen. The entire rim is buried under the clear so you never have to feel any gaps or movement of the stainless rings ever again.

The clear is incredibly durable and you shouldn't be afraid to use the wheel on a daily drive ... I do. My wheel has 8 years and about 35000 miles on it without a mark. Having said that, the only real hazard to be wary of is when you are putting on or taking off your seat belt. Just be aware  of where the metal ends are so you don't bang them against the wheel. Basically treat it the same way you'd treat the paint on the body of your car, after all it's the same kind of paint!

[plumbeeper]

A you can see there are many options and levels of finish out there, but it all comes down to personal preference. Look them all over, ask lots of questions about materials and method of repairs/refinishing, then decide which person or shop provides the greatest value for you and you vehicle. There are more than enough wheels needing to be worked on so spread em around and keep us all busy.

[/quote]

I couldn't have said it any better myself Doug. We all build up good reputations by providing quality parts and services as well as sharing the knowledge throughout the community and standing behind everything we do or say. Check all of our websites, call or email any of us about guarantees, references, etc.

Our company concentrates on the woodgrain style wheels. We're still busy enough with the woodgrain wheels that all requests for solid color wheels or customization work are being directed to Doug. When we get caught up, (yeah like that's gonna happen) we may start branching out but I don't see it anytime soon.

Dave