Correct teak steering wheel finish?

[Philip A.]

I am restoring a teak sterering wheel. What is the correct finish and agent? Gloss, semi-gloss, low gloss, matte? Polyurethane, varnish, Tung oil, teak oil? I have been told low gloss Tung oil.

[Wayne M.]

Re: Correct teak steering wheel finish?

I am restoring a teak sterering wheel. What is the correct finish and agent? Gloss, semi-gloss, low gloss, matte? Polyurethane, varnish, Tung oil, teak oil? I have been told low gloss Tung oil.

Back in 1975, I "restored" my original. Used Varathane glossy. Here's some links to those pics and method I used [post # 7 & 8]. Perhaps a tad shiny, compared to the unrestored backside -- but then again, maybe the back had dulled over the previous decade.

https://www.forums.ncrs.org/showthre...wheel&uid=5040

[Michael F.]

Re: Correct teak steering wheel finish?

I am restoring a teak sterering wheel. What is the correct finish and agent? Gloss, semi-gloss, low gloss, matte? Polyurethane, varnish, Tung oil, teak oil? I have been told low gloss Tung oil.

Good question. I bought an Eric Freeman wheel recently. Very nicely done. But it does appear to have a urethane finish.

I expected a proper period wheel to be a varnish like tung oil. Is that wrong?

[Larry S.]

Re: Correct teak steering wheel finish?

It is a good question. I have a repro (not a Freeman), and it was much too dull for my tastes. I sprayed it with polyurethane glossy; after 3 coats there wasn't much improvement. I think the problem was that the factory finish was so thin that the wood soaked up everything I sprayed on.

I had an original teak wheel on a 66 I once owned, and FWIW the finish chipped off in half inch flakes when it became worn. I know nothing about tung oil, but isn't it something that soaks into the wood rather than coating it like poly? If so, I don't think tung oil would flake off, just maybe wear off.

[Edward S.]

Re: Correct teak steering wheel finish?

I restored my wheel and used with great success the stain sold by Long Island Corvette Supply - check them out. Good luck.

[Jack H.]

Re: Correct teak steering wheel finish?

If I remember correctly, LI sells a form of shellac in a spray can...

[Michael F.]

Re: Correct teak steering wheel finish?

It is a good question. I have a repro (not a Freeman), and it was much too dull for my tastes. I sprayed it with polyurethane glossy; after 3 coats there wasn't much improvement. I think the problem was that the factory finish was so thin that the wood soaked up everything I sprayed on.

I had an original teak wheel on a 66 I once owned, and FWIW the finish chipped off in half inch flakes when it became worn. I know nothing about tung oil, but isn't it something that soaks into the wood rather than coating it like poly? If so, I don't think tung oil would flake off, just maybe wear off.

Tung and linseed oil act as a varnish or an oiled seal,depending on the way it is boiled down and mixed.

In the case of linseed, it is applied as an oiled finish. Used on many a yachts teakwood trim. The more you apply, the better it gets. No need for prep before a seasonal coat is applied. I have used it many times on my vinatage shotguns and rifles.Wood just drinks it up.

And tung is the old fashioned varnish we used to see on most funiture. Also known as a "French" finish. It actually creates a protective coating like urethane. But much more natural in appearance. It requires sanding or scuffing down before a new coat can be applied.

It is also the type of finish you will find on the finest of todays funiture. Stuff most can't afford.

Secret blends blends of linseed and Tung are also used by the finest gunmakers in the world. Such as Purdy, a matched set of their shotguns go for $250k a set. Takes a craftsman 2-4 yrs to complete them.

[Steven A.]

Re: Correct teak steering wheel finish?

I use linseed oil on mine as well. Just apply a very light coat. It really makes it look nice.

[John H.]

Re: Correct teak steering wheel finish?

I spent some time with Eric Freeman after his seminar at Charlotte last July, and he said that the Howard Miller Co. original wheels were finished with urethane varnish, and he uses it on his wheels also.

[Wayne M.]

Re: Correct teak steering wheel finish?

from Joe Clark's RESTORER article, Summer 1980: interviews with holder of the patent GM Inland Division, and the Brothers Miller.

"The final manufacturing steps were the cutting of the finger grooves, and the sanding, smoothing and final finishing using, according to the Millers, at least three coats of a catalytic urethane filler and sealer, resulting in a smooth finish. This was then topped off by a final coating of a urethane clear coat to insure durability and scratch resistance."

[Michael F.]

Re: Correct teak steering wheel finish?

from Joe Clark's RESTORER article, Summer 1980: interviews with holder of the patent GM Inland Division, and the Brothers Miller.

"The final manufacturing steps were the cutting of the finger grooves, and the sanding, smoothing and final finishing using, according to the Millers, at least three coats of a catalytic urethane filler and sealer, resulting in a smooth finish. This was then topped off by a final coating of a urethane clear coat to insure durability and scratch resistance."

That describes my Eric Freeman wheel exactly. I am happy.

[Paul D.]

Re: Correct teak steering wheel finish?

Bought Freeman wheel years ago for my '66 at Bloomington.3years ago the wood started to separate from the wheel. Call Eric,shipped back to him and he replaced wheel,no questions,no cost. Stands behind his product as I had it on car at least 5-6 years before the problem......P

[Michael H.]

Re: Correct teak steering wheel finish?

I am restoring a teak sterering wheel. What is the correct finish and agent? Gloss, semi-gloss, low gloss, matte? Polyurethane, varnish, Tung oil, teak oil? I have been told low gloss Tung oil.

I always thought most of the original teak wheels had a "butterscotch" color over the wood. The refinished wheels that I see alwats seem to be darker than the original color.
On an old wheel, you can easily see the color difference between the coating and the wood where the coating has worn/flaked off.

Decades ago, I looked at an NOS teak wheel and it was definitely lighter and had the butterscotch color than refinished wheels.

Years ago, a guy that refinished things like this for a living told me that he was sure there was some semi transparent color added to the finish that caused the color I remembered. ????

[Michael F.]

Re: Correct teak steering wheel finish?

I always thought most of the original teak wheels had a "butterscotch" color over the wood. The refinished wheels that I see alwats seem to be darker than the original color.
On an old wheel, you can easily see the color difference between the coating and the wood where the coating has worn/flaked off.

Decades ago, I looked at an NOS teak wheel and it was definitely lighter and had the butterscotch color than refinished wheels.

Years ago, a guy that refinished things like this for a living told me that he was sure there was some semi transparent color added to the finish that caused the color I remembered. ????

My recent Freeman purchase is a butterscotch color. Looks great on triple black.

[Patrick H.]

Re: Correct teak steering wheel finish?

I spent some time with Eric Freeman after his seminar at Charlotte last July, and he said that the Howard Miller Co. original wheels were finished with urethane varnish, and he uses it on his wheels also.

Several years ago I had one of the (now retired) VP's at Howard Miller try and dig through the records to find out exactly what it was, as he is a patient of mine and I thought it would be worth a try. Unfortunately those records no longer exist.

Patrick