Early fj steering wheel restoration (1 Viewer)

[Birdhead]

Great job. I have done thousands of steering wheel repairs over a 40 year span. If you don’t mind I can offer a few tips to improve and save you money. The first step before anything is a good cleaning with dawn and warm water. Let it dry 100%. Depending on weather it could take days. I got the best results putting wheel in oven at lowest sitting for a few minutes at a time, for obvious reasons. Wax and grease remove and let the fun begin. You have already found an epoxy that works, don’t change it if it works for you. Prep steps after repairs. I would 80 grit in a cabinet all areas that are not repaired, but you can go 100 or 180 grit by hand finish with 220 grit depending on how soft substrate (steeering wheel) is. Wax and grease. Epoxy primer! Etching primer is for bridges and is over priced garbage. Ask me how I know… Epoxy primer flex properties are superior and will bond to ANY surface, so if your spraying in your garage cover everything including the floor! It also gives you a wet on wet window. Meaning you don’t have to sand again. Within that epoxy window spray two coats of 2k urethane primer. If you don’t already, spray a suitable guide coat. Opposite color of primer. This would be the blocking stage in body restoration step. Start with 180 and work down to 220 if needed. After all imperfections are gone one more round of 2k urathane primer. 400 wet sand, or 320 dry. Used 320 is best. Your ready for paint. Wax and gease, tack if off. I prefer to epoxy for a final seal than proceed to paint, only if your going follow my next bit of advice. Here is where you can really save money. Use single stage urathane. Ceracoat is an amazing product, but you can’t get it to the correct gloss and is pricey. I highly recommend Orion brand products. Not only do you get a superior product at a substantial savings over ppg, but the customer service is the best, hands down. With single stage you get superior finish and flex that is needed in a steering wheel. Plus if you sign your name (runs) or an insect decides this is a great place to land, it’s an easy fix! In all the years I’ve done these I’ve never had a return. The picture I have is for a 69 daodge dart. They are notorious for cracking and flex much more than any fj wheel. The last picture is off the gun to show the finish you can achieve. Hopefully I have given you some tips that help. Not here to steal your work, I can’t do the work anymore do to health issues. Which is why I am offering my help.

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Thank you very much, I’m relatively new to the game and any and all advice is appreciated. If you can message me, I would like to talk to you for a few minutes and ask a few questions. Thank you very much!

 

[CarcaineProblems]

Love to see vendors trying to get better!

 

[Birdhead]

The shots I have been getting have blocked my calcium/potassium channels temporarily paralyzing all four limbs. I have been in the hospital for a little over a week. My potassium level was 2.1 which turned me into a celebrity patient, I guess 3.1 can be fatal. If you get spinal injections and your legs get weak a few day after, have your potassium checked! Potassium and sodium keep your heart beating. Anyway, I’m on the mend and thought I would pass this along. Six neuros (that weren’t mine) and their students came by to look at the oddity and now ya know!
Jimmy

 

[JLawson]

That’s a lot man! Glad you are on the mend and hope you are back in your shop soon!

 

[merbesfield]

Get well soon Jimmy. Feel better.

 

[Birdhead]

Thanks guys, still using a cane or walker, the upper body is slowly getting better also.

 

[Birdhead]

Just finished another restoration…

 

[newmexicokid]

Have you ever done a restoration that included modification to fit on a GM style tilt column?

 

[Birdhead]

Have you ever done a restoration that included modification to fit on a GM style tilt column?

I would have to look and see what’s involved, send me a few pics please.

 

[cims1970fj40]

Just finished another restoration…

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Thanks James for the great turnaround. Can’t wait to get it.

 

[Birdhead]

Thanks James for the great turnaround. Can’t wait to get it.

It’s boxed up, with my expert overpacking protection. Lol. Every time I package one I have to have my wife push down while I tape.

 

[cims1970fj40]

It’s boxed up, with my expert overpacking protection. Lol. Every time I package one I have to have my wife push down while I tape.

lol! It looks great! Hope you can continue offering the great service you provide. Thanks again

 

[Birdhead]

lol! It looks great! Hope you can continue offering the great service you provide. Thanks again

Thank you.

 

[Green Bean]

@Birdhead I'm really enjoying the wonderful restored steering wheel that you did for us. It has held up great. I wish you good health. Thanks again for all that you do.

 

[Birdhead]

@Birdhead I'm really enjoying the wonderful restored steering wheel that you did for us. It has held up great. I wish you good health. Thanks again for all that you do.

I’m glad to hear that, I talked to one of my first customers that I did the entire shooting match on, repair cracks, paint , clear etc and he said it was still like the day he got it. It’s nice hearing stories about jobs I did. I need to start trading for the guys who “dont have the cash,” a nice S&W ,parts etc. lol

 

[Birdhead]

I’m glad to hear that, I talked to one of my first customers that I did the entire shooting match on, repair cracks, paint , clear etc and he said it was still like the day he got it. It’s nice hearing stories about jobs I did. I need to start trading for the guys who “dont have the cash,” a nice S&W ,parts etc. lol

I’m glad to hear that, I talked to one of my first customers that I did the entire shooting match on, repair cracks, paint , clear etc and he said it was still like the day he got it. It’s nice hearing stories about jobs I did. I need to start trading for the guys who “dont have the cash,” a nice S&W ,parts etc. lol

And let me know if you ever have any issues and I’ll take care of them.

 

[dcarpenter]

Jimmy I cant thank you enough for your awesome work. My goal it to make the rest of the rig look like the steering wheel when im done. Thanks again. Dan