Steering wheel falling apart??

[Anonymous-0]

I recently got a 2N rebuilt and running. I believe it spent it's entire life outside. The steering wheel is chalking off and shedding black powder.

As I remember it, it has really doing this from the early 70's.

I do not want to replace the wheel (it has my grandfathers sweat in it) I have thought of wrapping tape around it, but figure that it will slough off in the future. I plan on leaving it to my kids and I am looking for something kind of permenant or at least renewable.

I am considering something like varnish or a clear coating like fiberglass resin.

Has anyone found a way to seal a powdery steering wheel to keep it from shedding off?

 

[JMOR]

Not me....but I will be watching replies, as mine is down to the metal core in the most handled places.

 

[Dunk]

Having black hands, shows you have been having fun....

 

[old]

Leave it like it is and wash your hands after you have used the tractor. Or you could take the wheel off and find a pan big enough to set it in and then fill the pan up enough with clear coat to seal it. Pull it out of the pan let dry for a day or so then re dip it say 4 or 5 times. That should seal it good and seal in the sweat to boot. Don't know how long it would last but its an idea

 

[Sean (TX)]

Try HERE

 

[ericlb]

mine did the same thing, but when the black stuff came off in chunks right where i usually put my hands i had to do something, mine is a working tractor not a show tractor, what i did was replace the wheel with a new one from this site, but i kept the original wheel to have with the tractor just hang it on the wall with a tag as to what it is and where it goes, best of both ways

 

[Ed S.]

I wire-brushed the metal spokes and center on mine, and used sandpaper to rough up the plastic outer rim. Cleaned everything up real good with lacquer thinner, let it dry, primed, and then painted. Outer rim gloss black, metal spokes and center got red... Turned out great, and no more black hands!

es

 

[ZANE]

I've got a bigger problem with the 8N I recently traded my TO20 for. The steering wheel is bent, plastic broken out in big chunks, has been wrapped in black electrical tape that is unraveling and to top it off the steering wheel is welded to the steering shaft and wobbles bad.

Looks like it is going to just have to wobble!

Zane

 

[osduck5]

I am thinking about using the dip insulation coating (like you put on handles of hand tools) on mine to see if that would work. Anyone else tried that stuff on a steering wheel?

 

[Trg WY]

I don't know how much it would cost, but if originality is the issue, there is a outfit in California that rebuilds/repairs VW steering wheels, it involves new material surrounding the spokes and colored to match. Thats how they keep original wheels for old late 40,s and younger vw's. I bet they could do that for you on this one. But, even your Grandfather would have replaced a broken part you know. I would just replace it and hang the old one up in the barn or wall or something. Just my 2 cents. trg

 

[Polish Mike]

There"s a material called "PlastiKote" (I think that"s how you spell it) We use it on tool handles. Paint it on...multiple coats. It"ll work pretty good.

 

[Leemo]

Lace on steering wheel cover from NAPA works for me. I just ordered three for my projects.

 

[cargocult]

I use Old-School Lace-On-Sports-Grips. Works & keeps the wheel original 4 L8er owners. I, too am sensitive, since the Tractor In Question was My Sainted Father's, & he bought it new @ a Ford Dealer that is now outta Business. Look in Old School Auto Stores 4 these..they seem 2 b getting scarce & Them Newfangled ones Won't Work. But they are out there! CC.

 

[Anonymous-0]

Mine was chaulked and chunking apart, so I took a good 2-part epoxy (JB quick weld) and filled all the cracks and chunks. Shaped with a file and sanded it well, then lightly sanded the whole thing down. Cleaned with solvent, then sprayed black enamel. Built it up over a couple layers of paint, wet sanding in between coats. Got it where I wanted it and then painted the spokes red. Bam, restored steering wheel. Cost me $5 in JB Weld and a rattle can of spray paint.

 

[Anonymous-0]

You may be missing the soul of the machine, my grandfather would never have replaced the wheel, think German, 12 kids and mostly some one elses tractor.

The wash your hands idea is more in line, but I have selected the paint option as the best for the working tractor title that this relic is burdened with.

No life inside the shed, left at the west 40, miles from home, wearing what is left of the paint from the early 70's.

It has a hard life but it is an honest life. I could not pimp it out with a VW restoration or painting the spokes red, but thanks for the input, the collective has answered as only they could.

 

[Jubeguy]

I've been told if the missing pieces aren't too big you can use some JB weld to fill the spots. File and sand them down to the correct shape and paint the steering wheel. I also wonder if body filler (Bondo) might work as well to fill bigger spots easier.

 

[Dr. Bert]

Ken-- I have rebuilt several steering wheels using the epoxy putty that you knead to activate. Cleaned the metal well, packed in the putty and when it dried shaped it with a file,sanded, painted flat black and sprayed with an acrylic spray. Used only to repair broken out pieces. Be quite a job for the whole wheel.