Fat Man/Boy steering wheel - refinishing options

[Arbs]

I have the Fat Man steering wheel you see here that came with my car. The finish on the wood is flat and worn. Anyone know the brand? I found one on eBay here... typical eBay, the price seems beyond ridiculous.

The chrome is in good shape, and so is the rest of the steering wheel.

What finish would have come on these originally, both for the wood and the metal? The metal doesn't appear to have been painted.





I'm considering refinishing this over the winter. Let me know your thoughts.

[ThreePedalTapDancer]

Wood by Kevin makes very nice wood rims if you are not attached to the edged one that is on there now. If not, you can refinish the one you have. Originally it would have been a stain followed by an oil or varnish. I like to sand, stain and then use a polyurethane semi gloss. The aluminum spider would be polished or a fine brushed appearance. I think that’s a FOX steering wheel.

https://woodbykevinallen.com/steering-wheel-rims.html

[JTT3]

Dan your steering wheel came with a horn button that was mounted inside the cone. I think it is a Fox model D type but can’t be certain I have 3 of them. 2 with wood steering wheels & one with a Ford like steering wheel.

[Arbs]

I think you guys found it. It certainly looks like a Fox. I'll have to keep my eye out for a horn button that fits, oh and a horn that works. The one that came with the car is not working.

I love the old ad. I tried to find an online copy of the Dec 1924 edition of Ford Owner and Dealer but I had no luck. I was just curious what the rest of the ad looked like.

I'll probably refinish the wood myself and see what I can do to polish up the aluminum.

Thanks for getting back to me so quick!

[Wayne Sheldon]

The wood rim looks really nice, and was a popular style on after-market steering wheels back in the model T days. The finish looks like it was redone at some time years ago. Refinishing it could be problematical without knowing what type of finish was used on it previously. Many similar finishes do not play well with others, and can react to each other. Unfortunately, sometimes the reaction won't show up for a couple years when one or the other begins to flake off or becomes a milky color.
Sometimes it is best to leave it as is rather than mix unknowns as long as it looks nice enough. Although it would look nicer I think with a higher gloss finish?

[DanTreace]

The full adv.

[Arbs]

The full adv.

Thanks Dan!