Teakwood Wheel

[George Goudie]

I have a original Teakwood stearing wheel and the finish is about 80% wore off.
What is the best way to refinish the wood? What was on it when it was new? Should I use a good wood oil on it and not attempt to refinish it with a clear?

Thank You,
George # 20082

[John H.]

Re: Teakwood Wheel

George -

There's an article in the April 2002 issue of "Vette Vues" that describes in detail how the original wood wheels were manufactured by the Howard Miller Clock Company for the Inland Division of GM; it states that after detail sanding, they were finished with not less than three coats of a catalytic urethane filler and sealer, topped with a final application of urethane clearcoat. The article indicates that the original tooling developed by the Howard Miller Company is still being used to produce these wheels by Classic Auto Woodcrafters, in Doylestown, Ohio.

[John H.]

Re: Teakwood Wheel

George -

There's an article in the April 2002 issue of "Vette Vues" that describes in detail how the original wood wheels were manufactured by the Howard Miller Clock Company for the Inland Division of GM; it states that after detail sanding, they were finished with not less than three coats of a catalytic urethane filler and sealer, topped with a final application of urethane clearcoat. The article indicates that the original tooling developed by the Howard Miller Company is still being used to produce these wheels by Classic Auto Woodcrafters, in Doylestown, Ohio.

[Jack H.]

Re: Teakwood Wheel

Long Island sells a spray can they call correct for teak wheel refinishing. It's gloss/clear lacquer. I bought one when I was thinking of redoing the original wheel in my '65. But, I couldn't bring myself to restore/use it... Wheel had marks in the wood where my uncle used to tap is ring in beat to the radio.

Since I got the car from his estate, I simply left it 'as-was' being part of the car's history and accepted the minor deducts from NCRS, Bloomington, Chevy/Vettefest. Along the way, more than one judge upon seeing/hearing the story of the wheel's imperfection/condition, simply turned their head and said they guessed they missed that blemish area....

Guess this goes to prove there is humanity in our sport/hobby. As judges we see the same shinney new repro items so often, that once in a while the glimpse of a real McCoy untouched piece is so refreshing we just might turn our heads. I know I've done this for others....

[Jack H.]

Re: Teakwood Wheel

Long Island sells a spray can they call correct for teak wheel refinishing. It's gloss/clear lacquer. I bought one when I was thinking of redoing the original wheel in my '65. But, I couldn't bring myself to restore/use it... Wheel had marks in the wood where my uncle used to tap is ring in beat to the radio.

Since I got the car from his estate, I simply left it 'as-was' being part of the car's history and accepted the minor deducts from NCRS, Bloomington, Chevy/Vettefest. Along the way, more than one judge upon seeing/hearing the story of the wheel's imperfection/condition, simply turned their head and said they guessed they missed that blemish area....

Guess this goes to prove there is humanity in our sport/hobby. As judges we see the same shinney new repro items so often, that once in a while the glimpse of a real McCoy untouched piece is so refreshing we just might turn our heads. I know I've done this for others....