Modifying a steering wheel

Started by enjenjo, June 14, 2009, 01:19:56 PM

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enjenjo

I have a project that I am making a custom steering wheel for. The rim of the steering wheel is soft, not as soft as sponge rubber, but not solid either. I have to cut it away in a couple places to weld it. Any ideas on what to use as a filler material? The rim will end up leather wrapped, so color is not important.
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tom36


enjenjo

Quote from: "tom36"JB weld ?  Tom...

I think that would be too hard. I have used it in the past for hard plastic wheels.
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unklian

What if you stripped the wheel completely, and start from scratch.
We did a couple, foam rubber over rubber hose, wrapped in Leather.

tom36

How about some of that autobody seam sealer that is used in cars to seal like around 1/4 panels and wheel wells?  It fills some pretty good gaps and drys hard but flexable.  Fusor is a name that come to mind.  Tom...

enjenjo

Quote from: "unklian"What if you stripped the wheel completely, and start from scratch.
We did a couple, foam rubber over rubber hose, wrapped in Leather.

That is a thought. I will keep that in mind.
Welcome to hell. Here's your accordion.

wayne petty

you might look at this....

dynotron/bondo... urethane bumper repair kit.. #660.... designed for repairing endura bumpers... hardens in minutes...    lasts for years...  should be paintable with the same flex additives used to paint flexible body parts...

http://www.3m.com/US/auto_marine_aero/Bondo/catalog_item40fb.html?itemNbr=661

others are not the same... i use this to fill honda and taurus transmission mounts...    really firms them up...  makes them solid... but still slightly flexible...

enjenjo

Quote from: "tom36"How about some of that autobody seam sealer that is used in cars to seal like around 1/4 panels and wheel wells?  It fills some pretty good gaps and drys hard but flexable.  Fusor is a name that come to mind.  Tom...

I'll check with the local body supply and see if they have something.
Welcome to hell. Here's your accordion.

Inprimer

Quote from: "enjenjo"
Quote from: "tom36"How about some of that autobody seam sealer that is used in cars to seal like around 1/4 panels and wheel wells?  It fills some pretty good gaps and drys hard but flexable.  Fusor is a name that come to mind.  Tom...

I'll check with the local body supply and see if they have something.
Enjenjo I just did a Stude 18" wheel, it had about a million cracks in it, tried with JB Weld but too much work and a ton of filler needed to look right, so... cut out all plastic but saved the 3 spokes, went to Lowes and got about 5' of 3/8" orange air hose, slit it lenghtwise and tried all sort of adhesives best luck with Liquid nails  then when that dried bought (ID)5/8 "heater hose once again slit it and glued over the 3/8" id air hose. did a google search and found a place that sells steeting wheel wraps I believe they advert. on E bay, anyway it cost around $37+ shipping for less than $50 I got a neat steering wheel, since it's a stocker couldn't use a smaller wheel that was my solution. I can e mail you the finished product since I don't know how to put it on here, let me know...

enjenjo

Quote from: "Inprimer"
Quote from: "enjenjo"
Quote from: "tom36"How about some of that autobody seam sealer that is used in cars to seal like around 1/4 panels and wheel wells?  It fills some pretty good gaps and drys hard but flexable.  Fusor is a name that come to mind.  Tom...

I'll check with the local body supply and see if they have something.
Enjenjo I just did a Stude 18" wheel, it had about a million cracks in it, tried with JB Weld but too much work and a ton of filler needed to look right, so... cut out all plastic but saved the 3 spokes, went to Lowes and got about 5' of 3/8" orange air hose, slit it lenghtwise and tried all sort of adhesives best luck with Liquid nails  then when that dried bought (ID)5/8 "heater hose once again slit it and glued over the 3/8" id air hose. did a google search and found a place that sells steeting wheel wraps I believe they advert. on E bay, anyway it cost around $37+ shipping for less than $50 I got a neat steering wheel, since it's a stocker couldn't use a smaller wheel that was my solution. I can e mail you the finished product since I don't know how to put it on here, let me know...

Email it to me

Quoteyou might look at this....

dynotron/bondo... urethane bumper repair kit.. #660.... designed for repairing endura bumpers... hardens in minutes... lasts for years... should be paintable with the same flex additives used to paint flexible body parts...

http://www.3m.com/US/auto_marine_aero/Bondo/catalog_item40fb.html?itemN br=661

others are not the same... i use this to fill honda and taurus transmission mounts... really firms them up... makes them solid... but still slightly flexible...  



I'll check into this Wayne.
Welcome to hell. Here's your accordion.

Mac

How about a high end quality caulk? I have some I sell at my paint store. One's called Big Stretch the other is Geocel Pro Flex that I've used for a few "non-standard" applications. Maybe not found in the homecenters but your well stocked INDEPENDENT paint and hardware stores (shameless promo).
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unklian


C9

The HAMB had an excellent article on casting a new wheel using MFD board for the mold.

It was in the tech week from 4-6 months ago and not the one that just got over last week or two.
C9

Sailing the turquoise canyons of the Arizona desert.

enjenjo

Lots of good ideas here. Now I just have to find a material that gives me the texture I want.
Welcome to hell. Here's your accordion.