A COMPLETE STEERING WHEEL TRANSFORMATION
Pride Car Customs | Market Drayton, Shropshire
Bakelite Steering Wheel Restoration – Bringing a Classic Back to Life
Specialist Bakelite Steering Wheel Restoration by Pride Car Customs
Classic steering wheels are more than just a part of a vehicle. They are one of the most visible and tactile pieces of a classic car, and over the years they can suffer from cracking, chips, worn surfaces, discolouration and damage caused by age.
At Pride Car Customs in Market Drayton, Shropshire, we specialise in restoring steering wheels and automotive interiors, including the careful restoration of original Bakelite steering wheels.
Our aim is not simply to make an old steering wheel look better. We carefully restore the wheel while retaining as much of its original character and appearance as possible.
Restoring a Damaged Bakelite Steering Wheel
Bakelite steering wheels can become particularly challenging to restore as they age. Small cracks can develop, edges can become damaged and the original surface can become faded, scratched or worn.
Every wheel is assessed individually before restoration begins.
Depending on its condition, the restoration process can involve:
- Careful cleaning and preparation
- Removal of damaged or unstable material
- Repairing minor cracks and imperfections
- Reshaping damaged areas where required
- Precision preparation of the original surface
- Specialist finishing and refinishing
- Careful colour matching
- Final polishing and inspection
The objective is to create a finished steering wheel that looks right for the vehicle rather than simply applying a quick cosmetic repair.
Specialist Repair of Cracks and Damage
One of the most important parts of a Bakelite steering wheel restoration is dealing with cracks and imperfections correctly.
Rather than simply filling a crack and covering it with paint, the damaged area needs to be properly prepared so the repair becomes part of the restoration.
Our experience working with automotive interiors and restoration projects allows us to approach each repair individually. Where possible, we preserve the original steering wheel and repair the existing component rather than automatically replacing it.
This attention to detail is particularly important when working on classic and valuable vehicles where originality matters.
A Dedicated Approach to Classic Steering Wheel Restoration
At Pride Car Customs, we understand that classic car owners want their vehicles to retain their character.
A restored steering wheel should complement the vehicle rather than look like a modern replacement.
That is why we pay attention to the details that can easily be overlooked — the shape of the wheel, the surface finish, the colour, the condition of the spokes and the overall appearance when the steering wheel is back inside the vehicle.
Our workshop approach combines traditional hands-on craftsmanship with modern repair and finishing techniques.
More Than Just Steering Wheel Refurbishment
Although steering wheel refurbishment is a major part of what we do, our skills extend across many areas of automotive restoration and bespoke interior work.
From leather steering wheel retrimming and custom stitching to classic car interior work, dashboards, gear knobs, gaiters and other automotive leatherwork, we approach every project with the same attention to detail.
Skill Over Product is more than a slogan to us. It reflects the way we work.
We look at the problem, understand what needs to be achieved and then work out the best way to restore it.
Classic Steering Wheel Restoration in Shropshire
Our workshop is based in Market Drayton, Shropshire, and we work with customers locally and across the UK.
For many steering wheel restoration projects, you don’t need to bring the entire vehicle to us. The steering wheel can usually be carefully removed and sent to our workshop for assessment and restoration.
If you are local, arrangements can also be made for vehicles to be brought to our Market Drayton workshop where appropriate.
Give Your Original Steering Wheel a New Lease of Life
If you have a classic Bakelite steering wheel that has become cracked, damaged, faded or simply tired with age, don’t assume that replacement is the only option.
A carefully restored original steering wheel can transform the appearance and feel of a classic car while retaining an important part of its original character.
Pride Car Customs specialises in steering wheel refurbishment, steering wheel restoration and bespoke automotive interior work from our Market Drayton workshop in Shropshire.
If you have a Bakelite steering wheel that needs attention, contact Pride Car Customs for an assessment and restoration quote.