Davogs73 Posted October 3, 2021 Report Share Posted October 3, 2021 Hi, first time on here. I'm rebuilding a '72 CP TR6, and not sure what to do with refurbishing the steering wheel. I'm ok doing the metal part of the wheel itself, but It has some sort of rubber covering which extends onto the 3 spokes. Does anyone know if its possible to remove the rubber covering and replace it after the metal is refurbished. Or anyone who specialises in this ? I don't want to get a modern replacement wheel. Many thanks. Mike Quote Link to post Share on other sites
John Morrison Posted October 3, 2021 Report Share Posted October 3, 2021 Hi Mike, Can't help with the steering wheel question, but I can offer you a warm welcome to our forum. Hope your post is the first of many. John. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
keith1948 Posted October 3, 2021 Report Share Posted October 3, 2021 Hello Mike There is another thread below this one on a similar topic. I have a 3 spoke TR6 steering wheel with a bit of the rubber on one of the spokes missing. If the rubber rim is securely stuck to the metal inside (you can't twist it) then I would go for a leather steering wheel cover that you can sew in place. My problem is to replace the missing bit of rubber. I might be able to stick a piece of viton rubber in place because the join will be under the leather cover. It won't be easy because I have to match the other 2 spokes but I think it can be done. I wouldn't advise removing the rubber yourself because you will then definitely have to send it away for refurbishment. It's not a DIY job to replace it. I found this firm in Ramsgate on an internet search but know nothing more than what's on their website. https://www.steeringwheelrestoration.com There are lots of leather covers on the internet. Personally I would go for a black one with grey or black stitching rather than bright colours unless of course you want to match the car colour. Good luck Keith Quote Link to post Share on other sites
ed_h Posted October 3, 2021 Report Share Posted October 3, 2021 On my 74 wheel, the rubber came off easily in one piece. I just cut it with a sharp blade around the inside circumference. I did this so I could have the metal part re-plated. I installed a wood rim, but I'm sure the original foam could have ben cleaned up and glued back on. Ed Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Davogs73 Posted October 3, 2021 Author Report Share Posted October 3, 2021 Many thanks for all of the help. I actually have two steering wheels so will try to do on one of them what Ed_h suggested and cut around the inside of the rubber, then glue it back on after the steel has been renovated. There is a small amount of damage to the rubber at the back, but I might try Bison Liquid Black rubber to do an invisible (?) repair. Unless anyone can suggest a better product. Bullfire Garage rebuild is absolutely excellent by the way, and so informative - I could have done with this years ago when I started this rebuild !! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
PodOne Posted October 3, 2021 Report Share Posted October 3, 2021 Why not simply recover with leather which is a DIY job plenty on e bay try Mr Steering wheel for a kit? Andy Quote Link to post Share on other sites
keith1948 Posted October 4, 2021 Report Share Posted October 4, 2021 17 hours ago, Davogs73 said: Many thanks for all of the help. I actually have two steering wheels so will try to do on one of them what Ed_h suggested and cut around the inside of the rubber, then glue it back on after the steel has been renovated. There is a small amount of damage to the rubber at the back, but I might try Bison Liquid Black rubber to do an invisible (?) repair. Unless anyone can suggest a better product. Bullfire Garage rebuild is absolutely excellent by the way, and so informative - I could have done with this years ago when I started this rebuild !! Never used Bison black liquid rubber. You might need to roughen the surface up after it has dried to match rest of steering wheel. Not sure what to suggest for gluing rubber back together onto the metal frame after you have removed it. Gorilla glue clear is good at repairing splits in shoe soles and trainers but dries with a shiny finish that can be abraded to take off the shine. It takes 24 hours to set properly. Let us all know how you get on. Keith Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Davogs73 Posted October 4, 2021 Author Report Share Posted October 4, 2021 I have spoken with www.steeringwheelrestoration.com and they seem ok, but quoted a price of £300 plus carriage plus vat. They completely remake the whole thing, spokes in stainless steel, leather cover stitched on. Sounds like a great job, but not sure i want to spend that much. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
richard61 Posted October 5, 2021 Report Share Posted October 5, 2021 Had ago at mine a few years ago. sanded the rim by hand, used flexible filler for the cracks, built up the missing rim to spoke bits with spectacle case material, recoloured using a Scratch Doctor leather steering wheel kit, resprayed the spokes using car paint and lacquer . It will not win prizes but looks ok Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Davogs73 Posted October 6, 2021 Author Report Share Posted October 6, 2021 Richard, many thanks that looks pretty good to me. I would be happy with that. I will investigate the scratch doctor steering wheel kit. Although my rim needs to come off and be stuck on again as the spokes are really bad and need more than a respray. Very intrigued by the use of spectacle case material - interesting but could you explain that a bit more please as I am a specs wearer but not sure how you did it ? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
richard61 Posted October 6, 2021 Report Share Posted October 6, 2021 In the olden days I was an optometrist so had access to cases that were used by my supplier to send finished specs to me. The finish is very similar to leather cloth but is stiffer. By cutting out pieces the missing trim between the spokes and rim can be patched ,layered, filled and finished. P M me if you want a case Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Davogs73 Posted October 9, 2021 Author Report Share Posted October 9, 2021 Richard, Many thanks I would appreciate the spec. case. I have attached an image showing some of the the wheel damage. What flexible filler did you use - I assume it can be painted over with Scratch Doctor Kit ? More images to come showing some damage on the rim. I have looked at things like DEVCON, VITON RUBBER, BISON LIQUID RUBBER etc. to fill the holes but not sure if they are the right stuff ? Do you have any advise on that ? Regards and many thanks, Mike Davidson, Unit H4 Rotterdam Park, Rotterdam Road, Hull HU7 0AN. Please let me know what I owe you. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.