It will be interesting to see what condition the surface under the original stripe is once the stripe has been removed. If the surface has just old adhesive left then the surface can easily be cleaned smooth with adhesive remover, or lacquer thinner. Assuming that is the case, then the new stripe can be applied to the smooth surface. I don't see the need to overcoat the new stripe with clear gelcoat. I am assuming the original stripe was just the stripe itself. That's the way it appeared to me on the 64 wheel I had looked at 2 weeks ago. Also the 64 wheel I'd looked at had the chrome stripes on both the upper and lower 1/2 of the wheel, thusly the need for the two stripes. Maybe you should research to see if 64 wheels were meant to have the two stripes from the factory. Maybe someone like Fuzz could tell us about that?
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Dash Pad and steering wheel splits
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Based on the fact that the upper part of the wheel where the stripe would go is in good shape and has no residue or other signs, as well as the pictures that I've found on the internet, I'm positive that the stripe belongs on the lower portion only.
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I just now did a simple google search for "1964 thunderbird steering wheel" and got lots of hits. These two wheel pics were on the 1st and 2nd search pages. I didn't look any further. It appears that both of the wheels are woodgrain landau wheels, which would be the same as the woodgrain landau wheel I looked at 2 wks ago. Perhaps the double stripe only applies to landau models.Comment
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I can't believe I'm still waiting on the engine build, and that has to be done before the body work, and only then can I even think about the interior work and steering wheel.
In the meantime I've been enjoying driving my 2012 Jeep and it has a very thick steering wheel, wood and leather. I don't know if I'm going to be happy driving the 64 with the thin plastic wheel. I'm considering wrapping the wheel in bike tape to thicken it up and then finish it with a leather cover. It obviously won't look anything close to OEM but if I'm going to driving this I might be happier with it.
But I like the look of that chrome stripe on black though.Comment
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Here's an update on the steering wheel.
I sent it off to Jed (Ca58tbird) and he did a great job on the split and gouges, finishing it with a deep glossy black. The stripe though, was an issue. He applied the mylar strip from Thunderbird Ranch, had some concerns about applying clear finish over it, so sent it back to me that way. When I got it the stripe had partially separated from the wheel. It looked awful.
He suggested I try the 1/4" stripe that we had found, made by Cowles Products Company, New Haven CT. The measured width of the grove is actually 3/16" so I was concerned if it would work. The material is some kind of white flexible plastic with a metallic covering so you can't just trim the width down. They make all different widths, 1/8" and 1/4" and a lot of wider stuff, but nothing in between. I looked everywhere and couldn't find another product that looked like it would fit better.
Before I ordered the 1/4" stripe I looked through the manufacturer's information and all that showed was a cross section (oval top and sides, flat on the bottom), with the flat, or adhesive width slightly narrower than the stripe width (no dimension given). Hoping that the flat was 3/16" I bought some ($15, O'Reilly's warehouse, next day to my local store).
It turns out that the flat is barely less than 1/4" but I put it anyway on and somehow it works. I'm not sure why it fits, but it does. In fact I think it looks better than OEM.
A little bit of chrome nail polish on the cut ends and it will be perfect.
Thanks Jed!Comment
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Steve, sure am glad that Cowles flex chrome trim molding worked out for you in the width. Looks much better than that thin flimsy chrome mylar stuff ever would have been. Guess the Cowles product is the way to go for any other Flairbird wheels in need of restoration. I have in my notes one other gentleman that has a '66 wheel in need of resto that I should write to about this new miricle product.Comment
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