Matt from Iron Trap Garage recently purchased a Lincoln Continental V-12 steering wheel from the Ford Barn that is in dire need of some attention. The Lincoln wheel is super iconic and can be worth quite a bit of money in the right condition. Follow along as Matt and Mike take this rough steering wheel and return it to its former glory…
The Restoration Process:
- Sanding: Mike starts the restoration process by hand-sanding the wheel with 400-grit sandpaper. He aims to remove the existing paint and reveal the red lucite underneath.
- Detailed Sanding: As the sanding progresses, Mike encounters challenges in the concave areas and finger recesses. He switches to 320-grit sandpaper, meticulously preserving the original notches and ribs on the wheel. The process is time-consuming, but the goal is to gradually reveal the lucite without compromising the wheel’s structure.
- Polishing: After the initial sanding, Mike hands the wheel over to Matt, who takes on the polishing stage. Using a mini polisher with various 3M polishing compounds, Matt carefully brings out the shine in the lucite. The transformation becomes apparent as the wheel starts to exhibit its original burgundy color.
- Final Touches: Matt continues the polishing process, going through different polishing compounds to achieve the desired finish. The duo showcases the before-and-after shots, highlighting the remarkable improvement in the wheel’s appearance.
In the end, the restoration project is deemed a success. The V12 Lincoln Continental steering wheel, once obscured by layers of paint, is now a shining example of automotive history.
