WASHTUBMAN

Linkage is fine.  Guess I'll do a change of fluid.  Thanks for the suggestions.  Pic from last weekend car show.  That's Mama!

Fluid is not low.  Will have to have it checked out.

My daughter named me "Washtubman" because we owned a car wash called The Wash Tub for 20 years.

Wheel is back on!  Pics of before and after.

Well, here it is!  Perfect no, much better, yes.  Finally said I was never going to get it perfect, so I quit!  I used VHT epoxy paint.  Four coats and will do a couple more after 48 hours.  Nice shine and went on evenly.

So what have I learned?  1.  Don't do this again!  2.  Pay someone to do it!  3.  Use a more sandable epoxy- that crap is HARD.  4.  Be more careful with the dremel sanding drum.  5.  Buy more Crown Royal and Coke!

Appreciate all the input from you guys.

Well, I thought I had done a good job of sanding until I put the primer/filler on!  Whoa; I may not have any wheel left when I finish sanding.

Frosty, it was straight gloss black.  Will probably do a spray epoxy if I ever get to that point! 

Have a great weekend.

Thanks Kiwi for the info.  Not sure what hammerite gloss is??  Here is my progress so far.

Well, this is not fun!!  However, the cracks are filled and most of the sanding done.  I ended up using JB Weld plastic weld.  It filled the cracks good, but harder than heck to sand.  Used the dremel with sanding drum to get the bulk of it off.  Gotta have a light touch using the dremel because it will gouge where you don't want it to in a heartbeat (wonder how I know that)!!!!  Trying to determine the next step:  primer, filler primer, or?  I'm going to go to a body shop in town and ask them.  Also, thinking of painting it semi-gloss.

I tried to add a pic of the wheel at this stage, but for some reason it's not transferring from my phone to the Mac.  Pic of the JB Plastic Weld is attached.

Stay tuned!!

FIRST UPDATE:  I'm not proceeding with the JB Weld.  It's too runny to build up above the cracks, and I don't want to apply multiple layers.   So am going to try something else, not sure yet what!

FITZY, There is a story behind Washtubman.  We used to own a car wash called the Wash Tub.  My daughter penned me as Washtubman!

Well, the fun has begun!  I feel I should have my dentist license after the grinding LOL.  Monday will clean it up some more and then try JB Weld on a couple of the cracks.  If that doesn't go so well, will try something else.  Someone has worked on this wheel before.  The "bumps" on the back side are quite smooth.

Thanks.  You did good!  I'm going to attempt mine next week.  Not sure what to use as a filler but I think I'll do Marine Tex.  Lots of good reviews.  Or maybe just try JB Weld.  Any advice on epoxies?

Kiwi Boni, I would like to see the procedure you used to repair your wheel.  I have watched a couple videos on it, but thought if I could find another wheel, I wouldn't bother with it.

The leather cover is a secondary option, but would like to keep it original.