Eric Freeman Teak Wheel - does it need any maintenance?

[Digigo]

Hi there,

Just took delivery of an Eric Freeman Teak Wheel (but honestly, I wouldn't know the difference if someone told me it "wasn't" a Freeman wheel) and I'm just wondering if anyone has any advice on whether or not it needs anything (linseed oil comes to mind?) or is the answer more along the lines of "Are you crazy? you don't do anything to it!"

Please and thanks...

 

[Black 03 Z06]

Very cool steering wheel. Wood like almost anything else needs maintenance but I would want to ask an expert before using any preservative on it. Teak oil makes sense but who knows.

Nice addition to the car. How is it running by the way?

 

[MikeysZ06]

That’s a nice looking wheel for sure.

 

[Digigo]

Very cool steering wheel. Wood like almost anything else needs maintenance but I would want to ask an expert before using any preservative on it. Teak oil makes sense but who knows.

Nice addition to the car. How is it running by the way?

Thanks... and the car is put away for the next 2 weeks (but I put it away being assured that it was nothing serious - said my mechanic) - Can't wait for Spring!

 

[Somebuddy]

I wouldn't put any type of clearcoat finish on it as teak has its own natural oil and will cause coatings to come off (big mess). You can't hurt it with straight teak oil and a rub down once a year would be good. Yes I am an exspert!! (ex=has been...spert=drip under pressure)

 

[Digigo]

I wouldn't put any type of clearcoat finish on it as teak has its own natural oil and will cause coatings to come off (big mess). You can't hurt it with straight teak oil and a rub down once a year would be good. Yes I am an exspert!! (ex=has been...spert=drip under pressure)

Love it.

 

[Paul C7]

You have a pretty nice steering wheel indeed. To me, it adds a touch of class. As far as maintenance goes, I agree with Somebuddy's comment on using teak oil. I had a wooden wheel on my mustang and lightly oiled it every 12- 16 mos depending on how much usage it saw - I do not believe it was specifically teak oil, but definitely an oil made to be used on wood. You do not need to use very much of it, start sparingly and take it from there. Nice ride....

 

[Jcpstrat]

Very interesting about this wheel. It turns out that this '67 that I'm trying to bring back to life has a wooden steering wheel. It's quitedirty and I don't know if it's teak wood. I have heard that the teak wood factory steering wheels weren't available as an option in '67 so someone else must have installed it. I haven't started to clean it but would like to verify what it is first. Any thoughts on how to identify it?

 

[MikeysZ06]

I’d say a woodworking shop could/would tell you. Maybe a carpenters supply store. To me,it looks like Teak.

 

[Black 03 Z06]

Jcpstrat, my son is a professional cabinet maker/woodworker. I will show him you pics in the morning and ask his opinion. Will get back to you.

 

[Jcpstrat]

Thanks MikeysZ06. I don't want to high-jack this thread so I'll check around and if I find out something definitive that will help others I'll start another thread. This definitely looks like it would need some professional help as it's been sitting for probably 40 years.

 

[MikeysZ06]

It certainly isn’t Oak. That’s for sure. Mahogany perhaps? Either way,both wheels being discussed here are really sharp. I like em both.

 

[MikeysZ06]

Black 03 will have the answer for you before lunchtime tomorrow I bet.

 

[Jcpstrat]

Sweet!

 

[ddgermann]

It looks like oak to me. Some points the grain is very oak like.

 

[Jcpstrat]

Thanks everyone for you're input ... I've got an appointment tomorrow with a guy who's business is taking C2 Corvettes that don't meet the Top Flight NCRS judging criteria and correcting all the problem areas so the owners can get a NCRS Top Flight award. He should be able to shed significant light on what this steering wheel is or isn't.

 

[Rruuff Day]

Personally, I think it should 'spruce' up just fine .... Sorry! couldn't resist...

 

[MikeysZ06]

Personally, I think it should 'spruce' up just fine .... Sorry! couldn't resist...

Lol. Only you “wood” make that comment.

 

[Rruuff Day]

Lol. Only you “wood” make that comment.

Don't 'pine' about it Mike....

 

[Black 03 Z06]

Wooden it be better if you two did knot fight? It goes against the grain. Leaf the arguments to some other forum, branch out before you are rooted out and find yourselves sitting on a plank in the penalty box. Oakay?