on a 66 with PS what is the best way to clean up and restore an orginal rag joint. looked at repros and they are not even close to my orginal. but i want it to look like new. any tips would be helpfull:beers:

Glass bead it, then clean it. You can also send it out, get it phos coated and it will clean up the rubber also.

Like Mickey said glass bead it. I sprayed right stuff rust conditioner after I glass bead mine then cleared it. Here are my photos of the finish product (http://pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/iservemp3/album?.dir=6810scd&.src=ph&store=&prodid=&.done=http%3a//photos.yahoo.com/ph//my_photos)

I would have my doubts about a 40 year old rubber part that steers the car.
Try calling Lee Enterprises, see what they might have for you.

I replaced the rag joint in my 66SS with a new one and it looks just like the one I took off.

Sending out a rag joint for glass beading and phosphate coating sounds a little extreme to me. All I did was took a wire brush, sand paper, and my Dremel to clean up and prep mine. Primed and painted with a rattle can. While you're at it get a new rubber disc, $10 at Napa.

I've glass beaded many of them. Doesn't hurt them a bit.

I bead blasted mine - turned out great.

I am with JYags, I just wire brushed mine, masked off the rubber and put it back together. I cleaned up the rubber with some heavy duty degreaser and armor all'ed it, Looks great.

Bead blasting would be a great alternative if you have access to a blaster.

I just did mine tonight, and used the same process as a few of the others here... A NEW small wire brush really cleaned the rubber up nicely. Even made the white "cords" look almost like new. Taped it off carefully using masking tape and an exacto knife, and then used Cast Blast.

I had purchased a new kit, but was unable to use it, because on my 64 the unit has two bolts, and two studs that are not screwed in and cannot be removed. Sooo, I used the remaining hardware from the new kit. I used laquer thinner on them, then semi-gloss clear so that they will look new for a long time.

Anyway, after everthing was cleaned, painted, and reassembled, look VERY good. Little details like these all add up to make the difference between a "nice" car and an "outstanding" car.

FYI, that piece of rubber is like kevlar, I have no qualms about re-using it. Good luck!