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Powdercoated Black ‘Spiders’. Restored original Fordite rims. No black dust on your hands.
Top steering wheel is 17” $125
Left and Right steering wheel 16” $115
Bottom steering wheel has era owner carvings $85
and is 16”….. All + FedEx shipping
gwhouse731(at)gmail(dot)com

MORE: restored 16” and 17” fordite steering wheels w/ black powdercoated spiders $80-$120, used early transmission brake drums $35,and many Ford O tail lamps for trucks $65-$80, early and late front motor mounts $40, pair accessory bolt ...

... the nose of steel. 557525.jpg The final design about 1917, of the mag post made the entire upper in the fiber like material, which later years is Fordite, or the steering wheel material of later Ts. These have a metal shield or base for the attachment screws, and the metal base helps to prevent ...

... wheel. They were smaller in diameter, 15 (14.59) inches compared to 17 inches in a 1926. It would also be wood painted black (or maybe OD), not Fordite. I believe the spider is a little flatter in the 26 which would put the wheel back even farther.

tselliott

I restore the Fordite steering wheels by sanding and polishing. They always come out great. I recently restored one and had it hanging from the garage door tracks and it fell and broke. It didn’t break in two but split open so it ...

I'm with Norman - Lacking a metal core I suspect at some point when it is most inconvenient the wheel might break in your hand. I'd vote for replacement. Fordite was not one of Henry's successes.

Norman Kling

The A steering wheel had a steel core inside the Fordite. No problem patching it up. However, the T steering wheel does not. It would be dangerous to try to repair any wheel which has a piece broken out of it. For external cracks around the edge, ...

... It blended in so well you cant tell & its hard. It may not be the best product to use the on the steering wheel, but a possibility. I did have a Fordite wheel in the past & think it would work. They have a smaller can now. Haven't used their liquid yet

Thank you Frank !.. You’ve dug up some excellent advice ! I’ve even had that question. Including fastening back together a broken Fordite rim. Now to put your good advice to work

... - 1912-1920 Malleable iron spider, painted black. 12-1/4” I.D., 1-3/8” thick) 14.59” O.D. wood rim painted black until about 1919, then made of “Fordite” composition material. The malleable iron spider was changed to the pressed steel design late in the era (date unknown) - 1920-1925 Pressed-steel ...

A question would be if the original fordite wheels over time began to sort of deteriorate or if it was always a concern when they were new in the teens and twenties. Maybe Ford had a steering wheel cleaner sold at the dealers? It would seem ...

I will probably just go with the satin spray finish. The buffing and polish method looks great, though!

My trouble with that method is that the steering wheel would then look way better than the rest of the car!

Thanks for all the replies.

Steve

I wax mine, and always wear gloves.

Painted mine black so my hands wouldn't be.

https://www.modeltford.com/item/3501BL.aspx
New reproduction wheel from Langs

From two earlier posts above https://www.mtfca.com/discus/messages/1 ... 1292601172
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from another

... cleaned and painted. The rim from another 17" was fine and in good shape, they are hard to come by lately. However, that 16" rim you have, made of Fordite, is just not able to be straighted again. Sorry :-( But too much age and hardening. Many times the larger Improved Car 17" rims become egg-shaped ...

A few years ago someone was making a reproduction black T wheel. It was just the black ring. It got some good reviews. Anybody know what they were made of?

They only get sticky and blacken your hands when they get wet.

I did satin clearcoat like Jim described, did it years ago & sanded to 320 before coating, coating made it appear black. If you remove rim be sure to use correct stainless steel 'Fordite' screws to attach it to the spider or you risk a break. Respectfully, jb

Some old posts
This goes through sanding to finish https://www.mtfca.com/discus/messages/1 ... 00802.html
https://www.mtfca.com/discus/messages/1 ... 1321499600
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Warp fix https://www.mtfca.com/discus/messages/1 ... 1292601172

Soiled hands after use would have been my next question! Mine were okay handling it after wiping it down after the sanding, but I wondered if actual driving would eventually dirty up the hands. Did the clearcoat darken down the wheel any, making it appear more black than gray? Or did the gray appear...

tselliott

I sand them down progressing to finer and finer sandpaper then polish them on my buffing wheel. I think they come out better than painting them.

I got tired of my hands being black after going for a ride so I scrubbed it down about the same as you did and before reassembling it to the spider I gave it several coats of rattle can satin clear coat. It's been about three years and 3,000 miles now and no black residue so far. Jim

I just waxed mine. I am sorry I do not recall what wax I used. Johnson's paste was should work fine.

Greetings, I'm in the process of sprucing up my steering wheel. The spider has been cleaned up and painted and now it's time for the wheel itself. It did not have the smoothest finish to start with, so I cleaned it up and finished smoothing it with fine Scotchbrite. It looks great, has a dull gray f...

The encyclopedia shows the change to 17 inch outside diameter rim in December 1925. The 16" O.D started in Dec '20 and the 15" started July '19. These are the dates for Fordite rims only.

A steering wheel wood rim would be painted black.
If you are asking about the steering wheel rim for you 1924, it would have been black Fordite.

If you are planning to stain and finish a steering wheel rim, pick your favorite stain and finish with a good exterior marine varnish.

: ^ )

-Keith

The 1926 Fordite steering wheel with the Ford Script on the hub, was enlarged to 17”. Fordite is the name of the early plastic-like material the ring is made of. If I am not mistaken I think one of the main components was sawdust ...

... 1912-1920 Malleable iron spider, painted black. 12-1/4” I.D., 1-3/8” thick) 14.59” O.D. wood rim painted black until about 1919, then made of “Fordite” composition material. The malleable iron spider was changed to the pressed steel design late in the era (date unknown) 1920-1925 Pressed-steel ...

... with one square one (1918+) 5.) It appears to have a wood steering wheel - Towards the end of the 1920 Model year they switched to a 16 inch Fordite wheel. Also, starting in 1919 the horn button was integrated into the steering wheel nut. This horn button is typical of magneto horns and would ...

Later model Fords had the Fordite steering wheels painted. It usually began to wear off fairly quickly, revealing the dull black material underneath. The bare material could absorb dirt and grease from people's hands and get a gummy feel. ...

Stephen_heatherly

Does anyone know how the fordite steering wheels were originally finished? Were they painted, sealed with shellac, or left bare? The wheel in my 23 runabout is pretty faded and leaves a nasty, tacky black mess on my hands when it's humid ...

You may know this already, but if for any reason you need/want to replace the 4 rim screws make sure you get the ones made for the Fordite rim. If you used the wrong ones (for wood rims) you will likely break the rim. Langs sells both types and I believe the Fordite screw repros are made ...

... bakelite (not sure of spelling) and how to clean it? Hard to tell what you have BUT the Model T steering wheel is not hard rubber, it is made of Fordite. It is was a composite material made of rubber, straw, sulphur, silica, and other ingredients. What might work on hard rubber may not work on ...

Gene: Wood rings and Fordite composition rings used different screws. I believe using wood ring screws in Fordite can break the Fordite so be careful. Personally I would not use inserts in an old original Fordite ring b/c of the volume ...

One thing that would be nice to know is whether the wheels were originals or re-spoked. Natural or stained. Fordite or wood steering wheel?

As far as the items already mentioned made from Fordite what about battery cases, head and tailight connectors, generator and starter insulators or were these items made of something else.

Ron Patterson

... engineering drawings as the "cast design" and made from wheat gluten with asbestos fibers as a binder. I beleive that is different than the later "Fordite" discussed here. The cast design coil was used during 1916/1917 Model T production probably as a experimental trial to replace the brass metal ...

Dropacent

I don’t know the source or the truth to the small clipping I posted, but the author states about 45 T parts were made from this early fordite. So, 1) coil cases ………2) firewall junction block……..3) horn button………4) steering wheel rim……….

These photos show a steering wheel my daughter recently cleaned up for me. The edge shows the Fordite composition. The other photo is the same wheel before removing from the weathered chassis.

Finishing operation of the Fordite steering wheel rims, that is what gave these rims the high polish. Pretty strong stuff, they have lasted decades.

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Dropacent

Kind of rushed tonight but found an old thread that talks about fordite used in the T era. As I’m never afraid to say ( honey) I was wrong.

Dropacent

... what they are made of. You can see strands of white fibers which I assume is the asbestos. I don’t care right now to take a taste test. But again, Fordite they are not. They would be very pretty if they were.

Dropacent

Fordite is a completely different thing. Fordite is also called “Detroit agate” and was made by polishing hunks of paint chipped off the auto painting machinery. The chunks were polished and made into jewelry and other items. Totally different animal.

JohnH

The terminal block is another part made of Fordite. I also recall there were some experiments with body panels which never actually put into production.

I believe the material was called "Fordite" and was used extensively for knobs, electrical items, some small body parts, and steering wheel rims. I think it was used as late as about 1968 for steering wheels in pickups. By 1971, the pickup ...

Hello all, I was recently given a nice, wooden steering wheel for my 1915. The wheel that is currently on the car is one of the black Fordite ones from a later car. The Fordite wheel spider has one key slot, and the earlier wheel has two slots. The end of the column seems to have slots for ...

Gluten Free deserves a footnote, as the wheat straw filler in the Fordite steering wheel rim would violate that claim, but personally, that would not concern me. I agree with Richard, the liquid would be preferable to tablets. Is it available as a patch? Happy holidazes to all, jb

Wet sand with 800 grit, then 1000 or 1200 grit if you want a smoother finish. Rinse with water and wipe dry with clean paper towels. Don’t treat, seal, or paint with anything. A T steering wheel should never be cleaned with anything but plain water. If it gets sticky or makes your hands black, then ...

Don’t know if there is a best way to keep a nice finish on the wheels and keep them from getting your hands dirty but probably doing as Allan says is pretty close. I have 3 T’s and sanded with fine paper for a ultra smooth finish and using a good coat of enamel works OK. I used what I had and didn’t...

Allan

I sanded mine to remove loose material and primed it with grey acrylic primer surfacer. Then two heavy coats of black acrylic lacquer. It still looks good after 30 years. On Henrietta, she sheds material especially in humid conditions. I live with it to avoid having to alter anything. It's slippery,...

OilyBill

Frank Brandi, Thanks for all the info. I will go through all those posts. And thanks everyone else for their info. I didn't know they used "Fordite" earlier. I also didn't know it smelled, although if "Fordite" was a vegetable-based mixture, I can see how it would deteriorate and give off a ...

I wipe mine down with alcohol- lasts for a few weeks and not slippery

ModelTWoods

I guess that you could spray the rim with something like Varathane or a liquid spray on plastic to seal, but after 50 years since my grandfather's 27 coupe was restored, I don't have any problem with residue or smell coming off on my hands. Of course, I've never taken a 8 hour long drive with it, ei...

They used Fordite a lot earlier than 26-7! I wax the rim often, but it still comes off on my hands. I wear gloves when driving, even in the summer.

Alan Long

Not so much of having dirty hands after driving my 26 all day but the Smell gets to me!!!
Alan

This thread may apply to many other OT steering wheels that give ya the dirty hands treatment!
Good to bring this up again.

Couple of old posts http://www.mtfca.com/discus/messages/179374/200802.html http://www.mtfca.com/discus/messages/179374/247579.html?1321499600 Next post suggested painting with automotive Trim & Bumper Paint - just make sure that the surface is not slippery or too tacky when finished. Totaled Restor...

OilyBill

Anyone have experience refinishing or sealing the "Fordite" steering wheel rims, used in 1926/27? I understand "Fordite" was molded of wood chips, probably some soy materials, some rubber, and some other fillers. I also understand they give you black ...

How about the batteries for the battery equipped starter cars.

Tractordoc

The magnito output post?

Horn button parts, headlight plugs.

Seems the story goes that Ford used the rubber trees in South America to make Fordite. He had factories of some sort in that area. Might be wrong about the rubber trees to make spark coil boxes with but his endevour in South America failed. The remains of the buildings ...

I once had a spark coil that looked like it may have been made of Fordite. I sold it to Ron Patterson. Jim Patrick

We were looking at a copy of a 1925 Ford publication which stated there were over 40 used of Fordite. Ok we have the steering wheel, terminal block and maybe some coils. I have seen Fordson tractor coil boxes that used it instead of wood. The story suggested it was used ...

I have a 17" type, and just keep waxing it. The Fordite still comes off, so I wear leather gloves when driving. I don't wish to paint it, because that will destroy the original look.

When I restored mine, I wet sanded starting with 180 grit and worked my way to 1500 grit. Then applied a couple coats of butchers wax. I could'nt be happier with the results. (And no black hands when driving)

RFH

Hi again,
I made a jig to hold the wheel.
Started grinding out the seam crack to fill and sand.
Other than a horrible smell and lots of dust, seems to be going well.
Looking forward to the end result.
Thanks again for all the info.
Randy Hilyer

RFH

Thanks for the link.
I will definitely read more about this product.
Thank you,
Randy Hilyer

... and paint as much onto the joints of the steering wheel as it will absorb. It is water thin and soaks deep into the wood or loose, deteriorating Fordite and once it cures, bonds the loose particles of the unstable surface together, so that it is as hard or harder than the original material. I ...

D Stroud

My late lifelong friend and Model T buddy had a 15" Fordite rim with the forged spider, only one I have ever seen. I think he found it at an auction somewhere, I believe it sold at his Estate auction in 2009. Dave

RFH

Thanks R.V. for the info. That looks like a nice steering wheel you have there. The wheel I have is the only 15" Fordite wheel with a forged spider I have ever seen. Now I can say after seeing your wheel. That's the only 15" Fordite wheel with a pressed center I have ever seen. ...

R.V.Anderson

FWIW, the "transitional" wheel (15" dia./ high 'dished' pressed steel spider/ Fordite rim) was first drawn on November 3, 1919, shortly after the start of the 1920 model year. It was declared 'Obsolete' on June 21, 1921. Its successor, the 16" Fordite rim with ...

THANKS!!!

I have followed Dan's routine, and then use successive coats of semi-gloss water based poly. Seals up the Fordite and leaves it with a nice, but not too shiny finish.

That link didn't work as well as I wanted it to work. Sorry about that.
Here is a direct link to the previous discussion.

viewtopic.php?f=2&t=9279

Best regards, John Page, Australia.

Here is a link to a discussion here on the Forum a few days ago.

Best regards, John Page, Australia.

search.php?keywords=Fordite

Really can’t restore the surface finish as these composite Fordite can be in rough shape. Originals were heat pressed and had nice mold hard surface with a shine. If real nice, then fine steel wool or super fine finish grit paper and work it to clean. ...

Looking for advice on the cleaning and preservation of original Fordite steering wheels.

RFH

Thank you Allen for the information.
Also thanks to everyone who responded.
This is a Great place to get good information.
Randy Hilyer

Allan

On the Canadian sourced cars we have in Australia, the forged spider was the rule for all production. So we have wheels in all sizes with Fordite rims. The lines around the perimeter of the rims seem to indicate mould marks, as though the rims were created using a split mould. These show up ...

RFH

RFH

Thanks for the link John
Randy Hilyer

I think that this might be the thread that George mentioned.

Best regards, John Page.

http://www.mtfca.com/discus/messages/17 ... 1301454438

RFH

Thanks R.V. Anderson for the photos. The outside of my wheel has a line around it like yours. Looks like you can see the inside material of the wheel. There is also a line or seam / crack on the inside of the wheel. This is what I was going to cut and fill in an attempt to make it stronger or last l...

I know that I have seen step-by-step with pictures and the peanut gallery was all complementary and positive about it. Was it this forum or the other? THAT is the question. (IIRC whatever that process was for infill, it might create an open pore while it was curing out and it even went into how to f...

R.V.Anderson

The 15" wheel that I have (actually I several) and which Steve T. cites is really quite unique. The pressed steel spider has a significantly higher profile, resulting in a deeper "dish", than the familiar 16" spider used in later 1920-25. When I was looking for one of these for my April 1920 touring...

RFH

Yes,
I have searched Google for Fordite and came up with old automotive paint...
I have also read about it in Bruce McCalley's Model T book.
What is your experience with grinding on it.
Does it melt or cut / grind easily.
Thanks,
Randy

Here is an excerpt for one of Henry Fords books. "TODAY AND TOMORROW " published in 1926.

Best regards, John Page, Australia.

You might find out that the process used hemp fibers!

They used it up until 1929.

Hank

Rich Bingham

It would be interesting to know what the composition and process actually was for “Fordite”. It certainly had a fair amount of fiber content, straw or more likely sawdust. My memory of the stuff is that it had a hard rubber aspect, i. e., handling old weathered steering ...

Can't remember for sure, but I had one of the 2 wheels talked about by Steve on my 21 when I got it. Let it go before I knew about such things and went to 16"

The above wheel & cast spyder might possibly original to a very "early" '19 but the spyder went to a 15" pressed steel version in '19 for a limited run before going into the standard 16" pressed steel version - I have the 15" pressed steel version on our '19 Centedoor if anyone would like to see an ...

R.V.Anderson

I have heard of a method, but have not yet personally tried, where folks take an irreparably broken Fordite rim and use coarse sandpaper or a wood rasp to make a pile of Fordite dust from it that they then mix with epoxy or other glue and use as filler for cosmetic cracks ...

RFH

Thanks Henry
I didn't know how this material would react to being ground on.
Looks like sawdust down inside the crack.
Thanks,

Your plan of attack should do the trick. Coat well with a SEMs brand flexible primer in thin coats before putting on the color and sand smooth.

Hope this Helps and Welcome to the Club!,

Hank

RFH

]Hi, Newbie to posting , been lurking for years. I have a 1919 coupe and the steering wheel is Fordite and it is cracking. Been thinking about grinding out the crack and using JB weld. This is a 15 inch wheel and has T902 and FORD in block letters stamped on the backside. ...

... original anyway, is there some other way to narrow down the date of manufacture of the car? It has an oval gas tank under the front seat, 16" O.D. Fordite steering wheel, 11 inch rear drums and wire wheels. Thoughts? Does it matter? Or is it enough that I've got it narrowed down to '20 to '25? ...

Wayne - same Bauer aluminum spyder w/steel center BUT it has been retrofitted with a 17" Fordite rim.

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