Weathered bakelite steering wheel solution

J

Jim in SC

Well-known member
I got tired of my hands turning black from my weathered bakelite steering wheel on my '51 H. I saw a few recommendations on other threads where people had painted, clearcoated, taped, or replaced their steering wheels because of this problem. My steering wheel is in good shape, but the bakelite was coming off (not cracked). I figured that bakelite is basically plastic, so I sanded it down using medium grit paper, followed by fine wet sandpaper. Once it was dry I cleaned it with denatured alcohol and finished up with leather conditioner - yeah, leather conditioner - it WORKED! Dang thing looks and feels like new. Give it a try!
 
Jim in SC":1vqjoeuk said:
I got tired of my hands turning black from my weathered bakelite steering wheel on my '51 H. I saw a few recommendations on other threads where people had painted, clearcoated, taped, or replaced their steering wheels because of this problem. My steering wheel is in good shape, but the bakelite was coming off (not cracked). I figured that bakelite is basically plastic, so I sanded it down using medium grit paper, followed by fine wet sandpaper. Once it was dry I cleaned it with denatured alcohol and finished up with leather conditioner - yeah, leather conditioner - it WORKED! Dang thing looks and feels like new. Give it a try!
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Nice tip, Jim. Does the leather conditioner dry completely? Can you post a pic of the finished wheel?
 
Stanton, thanks for the reply. It seems the leather conditioner soaks in, if that makes sense. Yes, I'll take a picture and post it - just the after, I don't have a before.
 
Here are a couple of pictures. The wheel rim was rough and weathered - now it's hard and shiny. There is no residue, so all is good.IMG_20210312_100053086.jpg
 

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