Restoring original steering wheel? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

Number21 · 11-10-2010, 05:14 AM

The steering wheel in my '73 is kinda...gross. I guess this is a common thing when they get old, all my trucks have been like this...just sort of sticky and gooey.

Since my truck is a Cheyenne Super it has the wood grain trim on the dash, doors, and on the wheel. I think I can save the fake wood sections, but the door panels and the rest of the dash need restoration.

Anyway, I've always thought the steering wheels in these trucks were ugly, until I saw a picture of somebody's shiny Cheyenne with a similar wood inlay in great shape, and I like it. Can I save my "rotten" steering wheel? Is there any way to 'fix' the vinyl or whatever it's made out of that's all sticky?

S10Fan · 11-10-2010, 06:32 AM

I've not had any success cleaning one and making the stickiness stay away. I had one that I scrubbed really clean, let it dry a few days then hit it with some SEM black. The wheel held up for a couple months before the junk came back. Not sure what effect climate has on it but I live in a hazy hot summertime environment.

I guess the manufacturers didn't have the technology available back then that they have now.

SEM link.........

http://sem.ws/?home=1

menace121978 · 11-10-2010, 09:54 AM

i did mine. it took about 4 hours of scrubbing with brake cleaner,

goof off, tons of rags and a scotch brite pad. it was a real pita though. here's a pic

babyJay · 11-10-2010, 10:00 AM

You can get them pretty clean with some spray cleaner that has ammonia in it. You should do this on a regular basis anyway due to the amount of germs in our lives, and especially if you pick your nose when you're driving...

timjt · 11-10-2010, 11:29 AM

awsome panel you put in, whered you get it?

jchav62 · 11-10-2010, 12:06 PM

I had the same problem. I used rubbing alcohol and a bunch of rags.

**Corts60** · 11-10-2010, 12:12 PM

In my experience you just have to scrub it regularly, like mentioned above. It will always come back. My steering wheel is fine in the summer but as soon as it gets cold, moisture builds up in the cab and somehow reacts on the steering wheel to make it sticky again.

masterlock · 11-10-2010, 12:26 PM

Funny I was just talking about this yesterday, anyway from what I have read it has to do with the material inside the wheel, the padding or foam in there, it simply disintegrates and turns into some sort of sticky oily substance that leaks through the vinyl outer covering. I guess it has been a problem for years. Im not sure if the later model steering wheels were any better but it is a posibility that it was cured in the 80's. Could try and find a newer one.

CaliDude76 · 11-10-2010, 02:20 PM

I got this tilt column from a junkyard (steering wheel included), so you can imagine the crustiness of it from sitting on a shelf for who knows how long..lol

anywho.... got it home scoured it clean and painted it to match my panels... could be an idea for ya...

BTW... let you all in on a lil secret... it didn't come with the chevy horn center deal, or the horn guts at all either.. had to search for a cap in the junkyard and Gorilla Glued it on.. hehe :-p
besides the horn in my square never worked anyway...

11-10-2010, 05:14 AM	#1
Number21 Registered User Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Oregon Posts: 611	Restoring original steering wheel? The steering wheel in my '73 is kinda...gross. I guess this is a common thing when they get old, all my trucks have been like this...just sort of sticky and gooey. Since my truck is a Cheyenne Super it has the wood grain trim on the dash, doors, and on the wheel. I think I can save the fake wood sections, but the door panels and the rest of the dash need restoration. Anyway, I've always thought the steering wheels in these trucks were ugly, until I saw a picture of somebody's shiny Cheyenne with a similar wood inlay in great shape, and I like it. Can I save my "rotten" steering wheel? Is there any way to 'fix' the vinyl or whatever it's made out of that's all sticky? __________________ '73 K20 Cheyenne Super Camper Special 350/TH350/NP205 sittin' on 33's. You can set my truck on fire and roll it down a hill, and I still wouldn't trade it for a Coupe de Ville.

11-10-2010, 06:32 AM	#2
S10Fan Old Heap Driver Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Newport News, Va Posts: 2,642	Re: Restoring original steering wheel? I've not had any success cleaning one and making the stickiness stay away. I had one that I scrubbed really clean, let it dry a few days then hit it with some SEM black. The wheel held up for a couple months before the junk came back. Not sure what effect climate has on it but I live in a hazy hot summertime environment. I guess the manufacturers didn't have the technology available back then that they have now. SEM link......... http://sem.ws/?home=1 __________________ _____________________________ Bryan '99 Silverado 1500, 4.3, 5-speed, reg cab, short bed '50 Chevy 2DR Hard Top, 350/350, M2 Front End, 3:08 gear, cruiser. '40 F**d Sedan, all Chevy power, Heidt's front end, TCI rear, nice driver.

11-10-2010, 09:54 AM	#3
menace121978 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: orangevale, ca Posts: 3,626	Re: Restoring original steering wheel? i did mine. it took about 4 hours of scrubbing with brake cleaner, goof off, tons of rags and a scotch brite pad. it was a real pita though. here's a pic Attached Images __________________ "Dennis the Menace" 1978 Silverado (2wd, 1/2 ton, short bed)complete nut & bolt frame off restomod LQ9/4L80E MY LS SWAP/FRAME OFF BUILD BOOK 2006 TBSS way too much to list

11-10-2010, 10:00 AM	#4
babyJay Arrived on a Pale Horse Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: SnagTown Indiana Posts: 2,524	Re: Restoring original steering wheel? You can get them pretty clean with some spray cleaner that has ammonia in it. You should do this on a regular basis anyway due to the amount of germs in our lives, and especially if you pick your nose when you're driving... __________________ Jason 87 V30 350TBI/400 White w/Boss V-plow 89 R3500 CC SRW

11-10-2010, 11:29 AM	#5
timjt Registered User Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: mckinney, tx Posts: 390	Re: Restoring original steering wheel? awsome panel you put in, whered you get it?

11-10-2010, 12:06 PM	#6
jchav62 1962 C-10 Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Las Vegas, New Mexico Posts: 4,978	Re: Restoring original steering wheel? I had the same problem. I used rubbing alcohol and a bunch of rags. __________________ Joseph Chavez "See the USA in a Chevrolet!!" ......................_____ .........________//__{\_____ ,,,,,,,/__(O)___//___/__(O)_/ 1962 C10 Shortbed Fleetside 327/th350 GV overdrive 1974 C10 Longbed Fleetside 350/th350 "The Trash Truck" 1999 Chevy 2500 OBS, Longbed 5.7/4L80E 4x4 2015 GMC Sierra SLE 1500 4x4

11-10-2010, 12:12 PM	#7
Corts60 Just here to tinker Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Holland, MI Posts: 3,697	Re: Restoring original steering wheel? In my experience you just have to scrub it regularly, like mentioned above. It will always come back. My steering wheel is fine in the summer but as soon as it gets cold, moisture builds up in the cab and somehow reacts on the steering wheel to make it sticky again. __________________ 78 C10 SWB Diesel #1 (wrecked)http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...1978+silverado 78 C10 SWB Diesel #2 (sold)http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=650751 60 GMC Suburban (sold)http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=445526 60 GMC 1000 (sold)http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/showthread.php?t=298235 67 GMC 1500 (sold) http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=803695 73 Chevy C20(Daily)http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=852767 86 Suburban(summer unit) http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=810697 88 Suburban 4x4(sold)

11-10-2010, 12:26 PM	#8
masterlock Registered User Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: San Diego, CA Posts: 281	Re: Restoring original steering wheel? Funny I was just talking about this yesterday, anyway from what I have read it has to do with the material inside the wheel, the padding or foam in there, it simply disintegrates and turns into some sort of sticky oily substance that leaks through the vinyl outer covering. I guess it has been a problem for years. Im not sure if the later model steering wheels were any better but it is a posibility that it was cured in the 80's. Could try and find a newer one. __________________ 77 Stepside http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=422253

11-10-2010, 02:20 PM	#9
CaliDude76 All About the BOWTIE Join Date: May 2010 Location: Los Banos, California Posts: 436	Re: Restoring original steering wheel? I got this tilt column from a junkyard (steering wheel included), so you can imagine the crustiness of it from sitting on a shelf for who knows how long..lol anywho.... got it home scoured it clean and painted it to match my panels... could be an idea for ya... BTW... let you all in on a lil secret... it didn't come with the chevy horn center deal, or the horn guts at all either.. had to search for a cap in the junkyard and Gorilla Glued it on.. hehe :-p besides the horn in my square never worked anyway... Attached Images __________________ CaliDude76 "... Being "SQUARE".. is where it's at...." Proverbs 15:30 .... "A Cheerful look brings joy to the heart, and good news gives health to the bones..." Be exceedingly blessed today, my friends!... Last edited by CaliDude76; 11-10-2010 at 02:29 PM.



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