Packard Forum Index » Post-War (1946-54)

how much does it cost roughly to have a 54 Packard steering wheel restored? Patrician model

You might check with these folks for a quote.

www.qualityrestorations.com

And another option for a quotesteeringwheelsusa.com/
Probably a professional restore is the only option if it's the deluxe ivory or translucent plastic type. If your wheel is the painted plastic or painted hard rubber as used on many models you or a local body shop may be able to do it. KevinAZ posted some photos and detailed the process he and a friend used in redoing his 55 wheel.packardinfo.com/xoops/html/modules/newbb ... .php?post_id=102686#forumpost102686

Yet another, who did mine.
backwardsunlimited.com/
1940 Banjo $400 8 years ago.

Funny you should mention this now. Just this week, I had my wheel from my '54 Clipper done. It was originally painted green to match the dash. - the paint was chipping from the wheel. Rather than try to match the existing paint, we painted it to look like the optional ivory wheel. We did the turn signal and shifter knobs also.
I'm very happy with the results. It dresses up the interior. My wheel was in good shape. It had one small crack near the edge of the wheel which was filled with epoxy before painting.
The wheel was painted with ivory paint that had just a small amount of pearl added, then a little airbrushing of amber gave it a bit of an aged, or authentic look. - Finally 4 coats of clearcoat.

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Nice looking steering wheel.

How damaged is the steering wheel wheel? Small cracks can be routed out and filled with Marine-Tex. To get an original-ish finish, we then paint with a marine epoxy gelcoat (e.g. AwlGrip). If large chunks are missing, or will be soon, then you might need one of the dedicated steering wheel restorers.

Cheers,

Tom

I have found that it is generally cheaper to buy a decent steering wheel than it is to pay someone to restore one. Small defects you can do yourself. I have paid well over $1000 for a restoring shop to do a steering wheel.

If your wheel is in relatively good shape and you have the skills that 54Clipper has, then that is the route to go. That airbrush for aging effect is very handsome.

If your wheel has too many cracks or missing pieces, then you may need it recast. J.B. Donaldson of Phoenix, AZ recast my wheel in color to match the dash plastic. The color is solid throughout and not a sprayed on paint. It was perfect match to a sample part I supplied from Yesterday's Radio. Cost about 10 years ago was $475. I decide to have it recast with Donaldson after I saw an ivory wheel he did for a local Packard club member.

americanfiberglassinc.com/steeringwheels/

A call for a quote is free.

Beautiful job, 54clipper!

Would you happen to have the paint code for the ivory? I would like to use that color on my '48 steering wheel.

Thanks!