Worn steering wheel repair (1 Viewer)

[NoALnewb]

Search for this question yielded results about replacing or re-wrapping the steering wheel. I'm curious about repair. Here's what I'm dealing with:

Anyone found any solutions for repairing/painting/sealing rubbed out leather like this? At minimum I'd like to stop it from spreading.

 

[katit]

Search for this question yielded results about replacing or re-wrapping the steering wheel. I'm curious about repair. Here's what I'm dealing with:

Anyone found any solutions for repairing/painting/sealing rubbed out leather like this? At minimum I'd like to stop it from spreading.

Yes, you can definitely refinish this. Not sure how it will hold long-term, but:

leather repair kits

leather and vinyl repair and re-coloring kits for auto and furniture leather, featuring matched colors and dyes. Aniline king ranch and carpet dye color charts.

www.classicdyeproducts.com

Get #942 dye - this is brown steering wheel
Get some TriClean to prep leather. It's like mild acetone/etc but will make existing paint "sticky" and ready for a new coat. It will also clean it well.
Optionally get some clear coat with HiWear additive to supposedly make it last longer

This will cost you probably close to $100 shipped

I did use their products to completely repaint/dye car seats in my old BMW. It held up well. But steering wheel is another level of abuse. Also, what you have peeled is just a factory paint.

Other than that- if it's not smooth after TriClean - you can use some fine sandpaper to even it out. I would paint whole thing. So, mask appropriately and go ahead.

I would do that for my wheel but I have far more damage to leather so I opted for a new leather.

 

[NoALnewb]

Thank you katit!! Exactly what I was hoping for.

Once I finish I may update this thread in case anyone else is dealing with this issue.

 

[katit]

Thank you katit!! Exactly what I was hoping for.

Once I finish I may update this thread in case anyone else is dealing with this issue.

Yeah, let us know. And once you done - I will gladly buy discounted dye remnants

 

[jahawk]

I used this. It has lasted really well for the last six months or so.

VHT Vinyl Dye™ -- Specialty Products

This dye is ideal for stiff or pliable vinyl, simulated leather or plastic. It restores or changes the color of any vinyl upholstery and seats and trim in cars, boats, and watercraft.

www.vhtpaint.com

 

[NoALnewb]

Also it looks like Dye #2133 may be what I need (06' LX).

 

[katit]

Also it looks like Dye #2133 may be what I need (06' LX).

#2133 looks like light color (not trim color)
Anyways. I gave you color they matched for my 2001. In my case - I sent them piece of leather to match and they told me to try
#942 - brown (steering wheel)
#88 - taupe (seats)

Yours might differ.. Also I have late steering wheel (from 2002+?) with buttons and it's same color leather but no perforation, see last page of topic in my sig.

 

[NoALnewb]

One more question for @katit I'm not sure what I should be purchasing here - take a look.

 

[katit]

You need smallest amount and you will use maybe 1oz of it
Also, smallest amount of ClearBase with WEAR additive (optional but I would)
Also, smallest amount of clean/prep

 

[FxFormat]

I'd just get a whole new steering wheel, they're about $199 on eBay, if you had gray interior with black steering wheel i'd get something sporty like this

 

[NoALnewb]

I'd just get a whole new steering wheel, they're about $199 on eBay, if you had gray interior with black steering wheel i'd get something sporty like this

That looks great!

 

[super90]

I had Dallas Custom Steering Wheel recover mine a few years back. Great work that has lasted. Highly recommended.

 

[OwnerCS]

LC Heaven sells a wheel cover kit.

Land Cruiser Heaven Leather Steering Wheel Cover | Land Cruiser Heaven

Replace that worn out Steering Wheel cover with an OEM quality Leather cover from Land Cruiser Heaven. Kit includes: Steering Wheel Cover and thread The shipping is set as free, because we do Read more…

www.landcruiserheaven.com

 

[katit]

LC Heaven sells a wheel cover kit.

Land Cruiser Heaven Leather Steering Wheel Cover | Land Cruiser Heaven

Replace that worn out Steering Wheel cover with an OEM quality Leather cover from Land Cruiser Heaven. Kit includes: Steering Wheel Cover and thread The shipping is set as free, because we do Read more…

www.landcruiserheaven.com

I just want to comment on this... Doubt it will produce decent-looking wheel. Also, it's not for wheels with a wood.

 

[suprarx7nut]

I had Dallas Custom Steering Wheel recover mine a few years back. Great work that has lasted. Highly recommended.

I also had mine done by Dallas Custom. And I had my Supra wheel done in Alcantara by them.

IMO, if you want something that lasts more than a few years, your money is best spent on a professional recover (or one of the ebay wheels). A good recover will look and feel absolutely showroom new and will last another 10-15 years. The dyes and repair kits are fine for very superficial fixes for a temporary period, but if it costs close to $100 and takes a bit of craftsmanship to do well, I'd really suggest considering the full recover.

 

[NoALnewb]

Touched it up this morning. By no means a professional job, but I'm actually very pleased with the result. The new paint is slightly lighter than the original, but it's really not noticeable and the pictures exaggerate the difference.

 

[OwnerCS]

Touched it up this morning. By no means a professional job, but I'm actually very pleased with the result. The new paint is slightly lighter than the original, but it's really not noticeable and the pictures exaggerate the difference.

View attachment 2218534

View attachment 2218537

View attachment 2218538

Nice job! I won't tell if you won't tell.

 

[ace10]

One of my 80's needed a refresh on the steering wheel and shifter. Spoke with Dallas and Craft Customs. Went with the latter based on turnaround time and price.

The quality of the work was excellent.

Craft Customs - Steering Wheel Restoration

Steering Wheel Restoration and Customization, Dashes and Interior Trim. We restore, enhance, or customize any make or model vehicle.

craftcustoms.com

 

[jumptrader]

I had Dallas Custom Steering Wheel recover mine a few years back. Great work that has lasted. Highly recommended.

Been looking at them. Any chance you could post a photo of the finished work? And what was the approximate cost?

 

[NoALnewb]

Went ahead and just painted the rest of it to match.

Fair warning to anyone who uses the trip clean prep cleaner, be careful with where you use it. I had some faint over spray on the black instrument cluster that houses my vent/mirror/RSCA controls. Put some triclean on a rag to wipe off and it started to pull the white paint off the buttons. Luckily I noticed it before I did any real damage.