Dry steering wheel?

[Tractorcedric]

So I have a new project for this winter. A Massey Harris 22. After setting out for a few years, the steering wheel is all dry and leaves your hands black. The wheel is not peerfect but is all there. What would be best to clean it and make it sorta smooth?

 

[Dieseltech]

I've wrapped my black fading wheels with electrical tape, then NO more black hands.

 

[onefarmer]

So I have a new project for this winter. A Massey Harris 22. After setting out for a few years, the steering wheel is all dry and leaves your hands black. The wheel is not peerfect but is all there. What would be best to clean it and make it sorta smooth?

You will never get it clean as it is constantly deteriorating. You have two choices 1) replace it 2) cover it.

You can wrap it with duct tape or get a steering wheel cover. Or get some plastic tubing split it length ways and wrap that around it.

 

[Jaden]

If it is still intact, you can sand it with fine sandpaper, then spray with a matte clear lacquer That will stop the black and help to preserve it.

 

[wore out]

So I have a new project for this winter. A Massey Harris 22. After setting out for a few years, the steering wheel is all dry and leaves your hands black. The wheel is not peerfect but is all there. What would be best to clean it and make it sorta smooth?

A few years back, the "hot" thing to do on here was to rough up what's left and spray it with truck bedliner.

I never tried it, but since no one else mentioned it it makes me wonder if it was not successful?

 

[randyrenfro7]

I painted one with the two part epoxy they use for table tops. It made it smooth and shiny.

 

[craigco]

I have sprayed mine with just black spray paint. Filled cracks with bondo sanded and painted.

 

[Mcrafty1]

I replaced mine, $50.00 and fifteen minutes....I don't know how long the replacement will last before it does the same thing as the old one though. I like the sound of the epoxy method, I had never considered that.

 

[Fred Werring]

I put the 70's style lace-up steering wheel cover on mine.

 

[moresmoke]

If you use it enough, you will wear the oxidized layer off and the oil from your hands will seal the rubber. Most people will never use an old tractor enough for that to happen.

I’ve had good luck filling any cracks with JB weld, and painting the wheel with plasti dip.

 

[DeltaRed]

I sprayed one with several coats of gloss black paint. The cracks are still there(but smaller),but no black hands. It has held up well.

 

[Masseyharrisnut]

Ive used flat back paint with good results.

 

[Duner Wi]

I have surprised myself with what sanding / steel wool and paint will do.

 

[Janicholson]

So I have a new project for this winter. A Massey Harris 22. After setting out for a few years, the steering wheel is all dry and leaves your hands black. The wheel is not peerfect but is all there. What would be best to clean it and make it sorta smooth?

Sand it one last time, then paint it with black epoxy (2 part). Jim

 

[rustred]

just give it a good scrubbing with spray 9.

 

[kencombs]

I painted one with the two part epoxy they use for table tops. It made it smooth and shiny.

Yes that works well. And the epoxy can be colored. I used the powder colorant that brick masons use in mortar. A little makes is black as night.

 

[Paul from MI]

paint it with clear laqcuer, cheap, fast, and lasts a while.

 

[Crazy Horse]

I have sprayed mine with just black spray paint. Filled cracks with bondo sanded and painted.

Craigco ..... your suggestion is not only the best one, it's the most effective, quickest and cheapest. Why do people search for a complicated cure when plain old industrial enamel works great?

 

[stevieb49829]

Anybody tried Phil Swift's Flex Seal? Or tool handle dip? I'm about to experiment on mine. All the rubber is gone. steve

 

[Jim in LA]

I put the 70's style lace-up steering wheel cover on mine.
View attachment 96463View attachment 96464

My '51 8N came wit a lace up cover and i like it.