RE: [Chrysler300] Steering wheel restoration

["Jim Pristelski" <ajp002@xxxx>]

When I first joined the Chrysler 300 Club in the early 1990s, John Veatch in
the Houston area used to offer to remold the clear part of the 1960-1962
Chrysler 300s (maybe other years/models too?) for about $75. The surface of
the remolded plastic was slightly rough and had to be sanded down with fine
sandpaper and then polished with a polishing compound. For around $150, he
would remold the clear plastic and complete the polishing for you.
Repairing the colored portions of the steering wheel were up to you or
someone else, but this is relatively easy with use of epoxy fillers if only
cracks exist. Of course, epoxy fillers can't be used in the clear portions
because the filled portions would visually stick out like a sore thumb.

Other Mopars also had steering wheels with clear plastic portions, such as
my 1959 Plymouth Sport Fury, as did the top of the line 1960-1961 Plymouth
models. I assume that some of the top of the line Dodges similarly had
clear plastic portions.

I had him do my 300G steering wheel. I did the finishing (my first time at
doing this kind of thing) and it turned out fine. Now, nearly 10 years
later, the clear plastic doesn't show any signs of yellowing.

Unfortunately, John apparently ran into poor health a few years ago and
stopped offering this service. At the price that current steering wheel
restorers are charging, we need to find a new alternative. With all of the
Mopars that have clear plastic portions, there is a continuing demand for
this service. Anyone know of any alternatives in having the clear plastic
portions remolded, as a minimum? Thanks, Jim


-----Original Message-----
From: Mark Souders [mailto:souders@xxxx]
Sent: Thursday, January 02, 2003 6:10 AM
To: 'KEN WILSON'; Chrysler300@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: RE: [Chrysler300] Steering wheel restoration


Ken,
Back in September I contacted Quality Restorations about restoring my 300-H
wheel. He sent me a detailed description of his process and his price was
$950. He's advertising in the club newsletter. His email is
dennis@xxxxx I haven't gotten any other quotes yet, I'm
still recovering from this one.

Hope this helps,
Mark Souders