CRG Discussion Forum

Camaro Research Group Discussion => Restoration => Topic started by: crownroyal58 on November 23, 2011, 01:33:49 PM

Title: rosewood wheel
Post by: crownroyal58 on November 23, 2011, 01:33:49 PM

Has anyone had a crack  repaired in a rosewood steering wheel and been satisfied with the results?? If so i am looking for recomendations for someone that i can depend on to repair one.

Thanks,
Mike 

Title: Re: rosewood wheel
Post by: RPOZ11 on November 24, 2011, 07:10:14 PM

Ive know of a guy on the west coast who does these.

If you like , the next time I see him I will get you his number & info.

Title: Re: rosewood wheel
Post by: camaronut on November 25, 2011, 12:04:41 AM

Gary's Wheel Restoration.....

http://www.garyssteeringwheel.com

Good work......I saw one of his restored rosewoods at Carlisle.....nice.

Title: Re: rosewood wheel
Post by: z/27 camaro on November 25, 2011, 08:19:27 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

Title: Re: rosewood wheel
Post by: JohnZ on November 25, 2011, 04:19:19 PM

Quote from: z/27 camaro on November 25, 2011, 08:19:27 AM

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

web site: http://drive.to/stwheels

Link doesn't work....

Title: Re: rosewood wheel
Post by: lakeholme on November 26, 2011, 02:59:36 AM

Try this:

 http://www.stwheelz.com/gallery.html

Title: Re: rosewood wheel
Post by: stwheels on November 26, 2011, 06:58:12 AM

Quote from: z/27 camaro on November 25, 2011, 08:19:27 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

     HOME OF THE

Title: Re: rosewood wheel
Post by: stwheels 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

Title: Re: rosewood wheel
Post by: KurtS on November 29, 2011, 05:45:03 AM

Doug,
If you don't mind me asking, how are you doing the woodgrain? Looks great.

I see that you wrap the wheel with carbon fiber - but how do you deal with the grooves in a standard 69 Chevrolet wheel?
(http://www.camaros.org/images/swheel/sw_69smooth.jpg)

Title: Re: rosewood wheel
Post by: stwheels 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

Title: Re: rosewood wheel
Post by: stwheels 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

Title: Re: rosewood wheel
Post by: stwheels 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

Title: Re: rosewood wheel
Post by: 1968RSZ28 on November 29, 2011, 08:32:50 AM

WOW!!  Fantastic work Doug!    :)

Paul

Title: Re: rosewood wheel
Post by: z/27 camaro on November 29, 2011, 03:23:10 PM

No problem doug...my pleasure.

as you guys can see from the pics, the wheel turned out awesome!  :) Doug knows his stuff!

Title: Re: rosewood wheel
Post by: stwheels on November 29, 2011, 10:31:31 PM

 ;D 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

     HOME OF THE

Title: Re: rosewood wheel
Post by: KurtS on December 03, 2011, 06:21:43 AM

Thanks for the explanation, especially on the original woodgrain process.

Wow, that's time-intensive!

Title: Re: rosewood wheel
Post by: stwheels 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