Messages

1

Restoration / Re: rosewood wheel

« on: December 03, 2011, 04:44:12 PM »

My pleasure Kurt,  yes it does take a fair bit of time to complete a wheel but I think the final product is worth it. Not only do they look great but the repairs last!

Here are a few more wheels I've worked on over the last 21 years ... Yes, boats have steering wheels too   LOL

Doug Lepak
The Steering Wheel Guy
web site: www.stwheelz.com
FB page: http://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Steering-Wheel-Guy/200617011737

2

Restoration / Re: rosewood wheel

« on: November 29, 2011, 10:31:31 PM »

  Thanks Paul and Thanks again Michael!

Doug Lepak
The Steering Wheel Guy
web site: www.stwheelz.com
FB page: http://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Steering-Wheel-Guy/200617011737

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3

Restoration / Re: rosewood wheel

« on: November 29, 2011, 07:59:24 AM »

This is an Oldsmobile wheel from the 60's. The first picture shows how the original plastic has shrunk and cracked over the last 45 years or so. The second picture shows the cracks filled with resin and the entire wheel wrapped with random weave carbon fiber cloth and 3 more coats of resin. The final shot is of the completed wheel, finished in a basecoat/clearcoat acrylic urethane.

Doug Lepak
The Steering Wheel Guy
web site: www.stwheelz.com
FB page: http://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Steering-Wheel-Guy/200617011737

4

Restoration / Re: rosewood wheel

« on: November 29, 2011, 07:54:48 AM »

This is a really cool Ford wheel that I rebuilt every single one of the ribs on the bottom half of the rim.

Doug Lepak
The Steering Wheel Guy
web site: www.stwheelz.com
FB page: http://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Steering-Wheel-Guy/200617011737

5

Restoration / Re: rosewood wheel

« on: November 29, 2011, 07:46:39 AM »

Hi Kurt, thanks for the questions.

All of my wood graining is drawn by hand using a .05 technical pen. That includes any fake finger joints. I use measurements taken from nice original wheels and do my best to copy the wood grain pattern. The original wood graining was a photo etching process developed by Kodak in the early 60's. After the grain is completed I airbrush on several coats of clear acrylic urethane (Glsurit/BASF or RM brand clears)  

Any details,l like the grooves on the Chevy wheels can be duplicated. It takes a lot more time and costs quite a bit more but it can be done. Because this style of wheel is being reproduced I have only worked on a couple of these wheels over the last 21 years.

Here are some examples of detail work that was worn almost smooth or had major cracks through it. As you can see, it can all be brought back, it just takes lots of time ... and more money

This is a Galaxy 500 wheel.

Doug Lepak
The Steering Wheel Guy
web site: www.stwheelz.com
FB page: http://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Steering-Wheel-Guy/200617011737

6

Restoration / Re: rosewood wheel

« on: November 26, 2011, 04:36:04 PM »

A few pictures of Michaels wheel.  The first 2 shots are after the clear was applied. The last shot shows the wheel after the clear has been buffed down to a satin sheen. The wheel acquires a beautiful glow the more you use it and the oils from your hands gets on the wheel ... but because all the wood graining is buried under several coats of clear, it'll never wear off like the original finish did.

Doug Lepak
The Steering Wheel Guy
8449-14 Ave
Edmonton, Alberta
Canada
T6K-1X3
780-450-1397
web site: www.stwheelz.com

7

Restoration / Re: rosewood wheel

« on: November 26, 2011, 06:58:12 AM »

Doug Lepak does an exellent job......just had my Walnut Wheel done by him...its perfect.

 Doug Lepak
The Steering Wheel Guy
8449-14 Ave
Edmonton, Alberta
Canada
T6K-1X3
780-450-1397
web site: http://drive.to/stwheels

Hi Michael!  Thanks for the referral, it was great working with you on that project and it's awesome you like the finished product so much!  

You can check out my web site ( www.stwheelz.com ) or my "The Steering Wheel Guy" facebook page ( http://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Steering-Wheel-Guy/200617011737 )  for more pictures and information on how I repair/refinish steering wheels.

Thanks again, Doug Lepak
The Steering Wheel Guy
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