[Healeys] How to restore a BJ8 steering wheel

[Alan Seigrist]

Geoff Chrysler has a nice article on doing this:

http://www.detailenthusiast.ca/blog/steering-in-the-right-direction



On Mon, Jul 25, 2022 at 12:54 AM Roland Wilhelmy <sentenac.rw at gmail.com>
wrote:

> The horn ring is Bakelite and it responds well to ink, shoe polish and
> buffing.
>
> The steering wheel is of more "modern" plastic. It is stronger but
> sometimes not strong enough. I used PC3, a two part epoxy material because
> that is what was used by the restorers of early VW steering wheels. It
> tends not to separate from the original plastic or crack due to shrinkage.
> (So far so good). It is quite hard and you'll need to file and sand to
> match the contours. That is a lot of work. Also a lot of work is digging
> out corrosion at the bottoms of cracks opening the cracks so you get a good
> connection between wheel and filler.
>
> I restored my BN1 wheel because replacements aren't available. You can buy
> exact replacements for your BJ8 and that's what I would do if I owned a
> BJ8. I put maybe 40 or 50 hours of labor into restoring my wheel. I
> wouldn't have done it if there were an alternative.
>
> -Roland
>
>
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> On Sun, Jul 24, 2022, 9:37 AM <rfbegani at gmail.com> wrote:
>
>> Hi Roland:
>>
>>
>>
>> Now that my Healey is on the road again, I have been working on the
>> interior of the car which is original and in great condition after applying
>> polishing creams to the vinyl and other surfaces.  My steering wheel is in
>> good condition except where wheel meets the wire.  Most of the Bakelite??
>> Or what ever the material is has broken off the wires.  I purchased a
>> two-component epoxy sculpting clay in black.  I have used it before to
>> reconstruct, seal openings etc.  Once the two components are mixed you can
>> mold the clay does not get hard immediately.  I believe I can fill in the
>> in the voids and sculp the material to almost match the original mold.
>> While the material should match the wheel, or I will rub in Jet black
>> leather dye to obtain luster.
>>
>>
>>
>> So, what did you use in your restoration?  The horn and housing on my
>> wheel are in good condition and the Jet-black leather dye improved the
>> surfaces so I could polish and buff to a nice luster.  My horn and
>> trafficator work well and looks great. Am not looking for concours
>> perfection.
>>
>>
>>
>> Bob Begani
>>
>> BJ8 67
>>
>>
>>
>> *From:* Healeys <healeys-bounces at autox.team.net> *On Behalf Of *Roland
>> Wilhelmy via Healeys
>> *Sent:* Sunday, July 24, 2022 11:04 AM
>> *To:* Paul Leeks <paulleeks909 at gmail.com>
>> *Cc:* healeys <healeys at autox.team.net>
>> *Subject:* Re: [Healeys] How to clean the steering wheel?
>>
>>
>>
>> It depends on your wheel. If it is an un- restored original then you
>> could try soap, followed by various solvents carefully applied. If the
>> wheel has been restored, that is, cracks repaired, etc.,and then painted,
>> it depends on the paint what kind of cleaning it can stand. I used black
>> automotive urethane and it holds up well, even to brake fluid.  If the
>> surface of your wheel has been altered and not just coated you will need to
>> sand it smooth carefully. And then possibly paint it if it won't polish up.
>>
>> -Roland
>>
>>
>>
>> On Sun, Jul 24, 2022, 2:55 AM Paul Leeks <paulleeks909 at gmail.com> wrote:
>>
>> Hi all
>>
>> In the process of working on my 100/6, I seem to have contaminated the
>> steering wheel with either oil or brake fluid from my hands.
>>
>> It now has a nasty matt finish :-(
>>
>> Can someone recommend the best way to clean it up?
>>
>> Many thanks
>>
>> Paul Leeks
>> 100/6 BN4
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> *Paul Leeks*
>>
>> *paulleeks909 at gmail.com* <paulleeks909 at gmail.com>
>>
>> *07718 523778*
>>
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