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MG TD TF 1500 - TF steering wheel restoration

My TF was restored about 6 years ago, but was left in storage at that time for another 5. This was its first year on the road and already the steering wheel plastic is starting to go. The centre hub and outer rim are perfect, but where the steel bars from the centre hub enter the outer ring, the plastic, or whatever was used in the restoration, has started to blister under the paint and crack. This is occurring at all three attachment points on the outer ring. Obviously the restoration work on this piece was less than satisfactory. OK, I can grind out whatever was used in the original repair, but what material do I use to repair the plastic, and grind it back into the proper shape before repainting?
Gene
Gene Burgess

Gene....have the same problem....these wheels were made of some kind of plastic and over 50 years of UV weathering the material tends to shrink, crack and splinter. If you have an original wheel the outer rim is very small and the original finish looked like simulated wood.
I took my wheel off and made an epoxy resin that simulates the color and then masked off the cracks and filled them in. This bonded what was left of the rim plastic and so far it has to gotten any worse.
From time to time I get plastic splinters in my hands especially when I let the rim slide through my fingers.
Hey, its 50+ yrs old, what do you want.
colin stafford

Gene,
I repaired mine using SuperWeld epoxy paste by Goop. I then painted it and will wrap it with a leather cover.
I have not had the car out yet so I don't know how it will hold up. Have a good day!

John
John Progess

Gene,

Another product commonly used is called PC7. It is an epoxy paste product. It's available in most hardware stores and comes in a black & red can.

I haven't used it for a steering wheel, but have used it for other repairs and found it to work well.

Good luck,
Evan
Evan Ford - TD 27621

Several places in Hemmings under "Services Offered" do steering wheel restorations. A complete recasting is about $700 and a fill-in and paint (guaranteed for between 3 years and life) runs $225 + $15 shipping.

John
John Redman

hmm, What's a whole new wheel worth?
Will

Gene,

If your wheel is in bad shape and you are willing to have it non original why not try making the rim out of wood. I did this on for my car following the directions shown here http://www.gomog.com/allmorgan/steeringwheel.htm , with the only difference being that I made mine from oak and had to construct a steam tube to get the wood bendable. It was actually fun to make, maintains the feel of the original and gets compliments gallore. I've heard kids say "Oh my God the wheels made of wood" Quite the novelty...where I live anyways.
If you would like a picture of the finished product send me your email and I'll ship it off to you and answer any questions I can.
Tim

Tim Mayor

Gentlemen,
Thanks for all of the hints and ideas. My steering wheel is basically in very good shape. The mounting hub is perfect, and the outer ring is as well. The only spots that need work are where the steel rods enter the outer ring. All the rods are solidly in place, but the plastic surrounding them for about a half an inch from where the rods enter the outer ring is starting to crack, and in places starting to bubble under the paint. I'm going to give Evan's idea a try, and get some PC7. A week's work of spare time should have the steering wheel ready again for paint. I'll keep you posted as to how I make out.
Gene
Gene Burgess

Gene,

The Eastwood Company sells two steering wheel restoration kits. one sounds like what you need is #521942 "Complete Steering Wheel Restoration Kit" @ $29.99 for cracks in hard plastic and bakelite. Includes 1/2 lb of PC7 epoxy to fill cacks, an aerosol can of painting prep and a can of etching primer, and instructions.
The #521962 "Master Steering Wheel Restoration Kit" @ $40.99 for more extensive restorations includes the "Steering Wheel Restoration Book"

see at www.eastwood.com
Don Harmer

Eastwood has the Steering Wheel kit on special for 21.99:

http://www.eastwoodco.com/shopping/product/detailmain.jsp?itemType=PRODUCT&RS=1&itemID=2569&keyword=52194z
Mark B.

Don & Mark,
Gene Burgess

Don & Mark,
(Oops! Wrong Key on the above entry!)
Thank you! I'll cjheck Eastwood out.
Gene
Gene Burgess

This thread was discussed between 10/01/2005 and 12/01/2005

MG TD TF 1500 index

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