C-1; Weekend projects; Before and After - NCRS Discussion Boards

C-1; Weekend projects; Before and After

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  • Isaac Tyson

    C-1; Weekend projects; Before and After

    Well, I'm always looking for a weekend project...You know, something hands on related to the Corvette that doesn't take forever to do, but that makes the Corvette look nicer.

    In light of that, I thought I'd share a weekend project with you that I did a few weeks ago. It might be something a few of you want to do with a future weekend.

    The project was to fix up a 1955 steering wheel that was pretty messed up. (see picture below) Some friends who I showed it to told me to throw it away because it was long gone. But, I never have the heart to throw out a Corvette part; no matter how bad it is.

    To start out, the center hub was bad, so cut it out and welded a new one in from a passanger car. It didn't take too long, but was tricky to line up. After that I ground out all the cracks and cleaned up all the sharp edges to prep it for the "body work." As you can see About 9 inches of one rim was gone, including the nubs. So I started building it up and trying to form it. I also filled all the cracks at this time. After things dried for a while I got out the file and sand paper and sat down for a few hours of sanding and forming. After that I had to fill in more parts of the wheel with more filler and then more sanding, priming, filling, sanding, p*******..... It took forever, but finally it was ready for paint. I decided to follow the original colors; polo white and gypsy red. So I got out the paint gun and did my thing. After the color went on I gave it somewhere around 5 coats of clear coat...but sort of lost count. After that I let it dry for a while, then got out the sand paper and water for wet sanding. Wow, if that doesn't take forever when you're doing it be hand. I can't imagine wet sanding an entire car by hand, though I have friends who do it. Once the wet sanding was done (2500 grit) I brought out the buffer and buffed her up before giving her a final finish coat of wax.

    Although this project turned into a few weekneds, it was a lot of fun. Now I just need to buy a 1955 Corvette to put the wheel on...

    Anyhow, thanks for taking the time to read all this. I hope maybe those who read this will think twice about throwing away "junk parts." Everything can be fixed with enough time and money I guess.

    I have more before and after pictures at the link below. I also posted the "AFTER" picture in another message.

    Good luck with the weekend projects guys, just remember to make them fun.




    1955 Steering Wheel More pictures
    Attached Files
  • Isaac Tyson

    #2
    Re: C-1; Weekend projects; Before and After

    This is a picture of after I finished the wheel...




    Attached Files

    Comment

    • Brian M.
      Extremely Frequent Poster
      • February 1, 1997
      • 1837

      #3
      Re: C-1; Weekend projects; Before and After

      Nice work.

      Comment

      • Mike E.
        Extremely Frequent Poster
        • February 28, 1975
        • 5134

        #4
        Re: C-1; Weekend projects; Before and After

        You are disgustingly good!! Great job!

        Comment

        • Ted K.
          Very Frequent User
          • August 31, 1994
          • 337

          #5
          project

          Ever tried converting a 54 passenger steering wheel into a Corvette steering wheel. If anyone has done it, any hints? I have one that needs modifying for my 54. Thanks

          Comment

          • Bill W.
            Extremely Frequent Poster
            • March 1, 1980
            • 2000

            #6
            Re: C-1; Weekend projects; Before and After

            very nice job!!!!!!!!Bill

            Comment

            • Roy B.
              Expired
              • February 1, 1975
              • 7044

              #7
              Re: C-1; Weekend projects; Before and After

              I'm flabbergasted great job! You deserve a 55!

              Comment

              • Isaac Tyson

                #8
                Thanks Roy. In that case, can I have your '55? NM

                NM

                Comment

                • lyndon sharpton

                  #9
                  Re: C-1; Weekend projects; Before and After

                  man that looks good! now just find that car!!

                  Comment

                  • Isaac Tyson

                    #10
                    Re: project

                    I could be wrong here, but I was thinking passanger cars only had a 16" wheel and not a 17" wheel?

                    Comment

                    • Roy B.
                      Expired
                      • February 1, 1975
                      • 7044

                      #11
                      Re: Thanks Roy. In that case, can I have your '55?

                      Now why would you wont a 55 with so many GM accessories and having GM wire wheels and a funny looking after market bubble top.
                      Not your every day looking NCRS Corvette.

                      Comment

                      • Terry F.
                        Expired
                        • September 30, 1992
                        • 2061

                        #12
                        Re: C-1; Weekend projects; Before and After

                        I am so impressed, I can't believe that is the same steering wheel. You must have a mold or something?? Looks like you changed out the steel center hub. Terry

                        Comment

                        • Ken Edmunds

                          #13
                          Re: C-1; Weekend projects; Before and After

                          Amazing! What did you use for a filler?

                          Comment

                          • Gary #41345

                            #14
                            Re: C-1; Weekend projects; Before and After

                            If your ever interested in trying turn a plastic 66 steering wheel into a teak one let me know.....good job!!

                            Comment

                            • Isaac Tyson

                              #15
                              Re: C-1; Weekend projects; Before and After

                              Thanks. Actually I did everything by hand and sight. Anyone can do it, it just takes time. You're right, I had to cut out the center metal hub and about 2 inches on each side. I used the hub from a passagner car steering wheel. Just welded it in. I then put back on as much of the plastic on the spokes as I could and then just filled the rest with PC7 Epoxy...

                              Comment

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