Wood grain steering wheel

[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