I am going to show everyone a little project I'm starting. I have a grant steering wheel. 3 bolt 3 spoke. Wood ring. Top and bottom half sandwiching a metal ring. 6 pieces of wood per side. Mine wiggle around and are loose. They fit fight in the right position. So I'm going to restore the wood and use it in my 78 hilux. The first step is to solidify the wood. Super glue gel works great. Fill the gaps between the parts and use a small clamp to let it dry. Afterwards it can be sanded smooth and stained. Here's a few photos an steps as I go through it.

 

Here's what I'm starting with. I got it from a speed boat. Sat uncovered outside for many many years. The same techniques here work on old gun stocks and furniture.

 

You can see the gaps and small cracks. Full the gaps first. Gel type super glue works best. Smaller gaps I do later with the normal liquid type.

 

This is what it looks like after the first layer dries. Might take a few. Sand the highs down later or between coats.

 

I filled the back of the rivots too. Thick blobs may take a few days to dry. Let them before you cover them again or it will never dry fully. Sand it later.

 

When you're gluing it, keep the tip against the gap to force the glue into the gap. Don't try to spatula it in, it doesn't work as well.

 

Clamp the loose end fittings and let it dry overnight. Ill keep doing this until the gaps are filled and can be sanded smooth. Then sand the whole thing smooth and restrain it. Stay tuned for the next installment.

 

Nice wheel. Can't wait to see the finished product.

 

Been huffin glue fumes and getting it solid the last couple days. Starting to debate the end color. Once I sand it smooth again it'll probably have a nice light color. Hopefully the driftwood coloring doesn't go away too much. Thinking a darker red color or maybe dye it purple. Any ideas?

 

I have kept gluing all the cracks and gaps up. Decided it was ready for first sanding. Used 180 grit I think. Ill use a small sanding block to focus on the high spots on knock them down. Glue a few small spots and sand it some more. Get it nice and smooth before I give it some stain. Any color ideas? And here's a couple pics.

 

One more pix

 

good thread mate, I just bought an old school momo indy (1979) and will do the same thing.

 

Great idea. I was wanting to do the wood steering wheel too. I love that vintage look. Good luck.

 

Use a better epoxy than super glue if you find a clear one. It started to crack the edges loose after some hard driving. But I also didn't do a great job lol. I ended up swapping back to my smaller rubber wheel shortly after writing this. I am gonna save the wood ring wheel for a larger truck, like my dodge, where the size is a better match to the interior size.