Comments on: Worn Leather Steering Wheel | How to Repair Leather Steering Wheel

By: Mike-TIG

Mike-TIG — Mon, 23 Aug 2010 02:55:07 +0000

Rick,
This fix I describe in this article to a steering wheel is definitely a quick fix and really for something that is more severe then your steering wheel. The Vinyl Pro site is right about the way they do it, but again it is a quick fix and may not last as long as you may want. I’m not a real fan of the solvent based dyes (Sem Classic Coat is a solvent paint)after more research. For years I used solvents and still do at times but not on leather. The steering wheels from the factory are dyed with a water based leather coating. This is done for a number of reasons, one health, another is feel, and another is solvents dry leather out to much for use in automotive leathers. So my point is here why not use a water based coating like what is used on the wheel to begin with. If I were you I would call the guys at Vinyl Pro and see if they can get you the supplies to do your wheel with water based instead of the solvent based. If they can’t help check out Viper Products they also have a wide variety of water based coatings that you can use to resurface the wheel. In fact if you look at the bottom of this article I have another link to another article where I describe how to do this with water based. One last thing if your not confident in doing a repair yourself, check with your local upholstery shops and your local car dealers and ask if they have an Automotive Interior Repair Professional like myself that does there work for them and see if you can get it done by a professional. The cost of having one repaired like what your needing done should be minimal, so it might be worth your time and frustration to check into.

Talk to ya soon,
Mike Warren – The Interior Guy

By: Rick

Rick — Sun, 22 Aug 2010 22:31:14 +0000

A few quick questions. My 2004 Explorer has lost its dye at 10 and 2. I used a gojo orange cleaner to get the goop off and I just have rough leather there now, so it sounds like I’m better off than some of the other wheels that need superglu. I went to the VinylPro site, and they say to use their vinyl/leather prep to clean and seal, and then you just use the SEM classic coat. They don’t mention sealing with a water seal, is this okay? They also don’t mention a clear coat at the end, or a leather conditioner.

I’m going to follow your instructions, but is Bulldog adhesion promoter available at auto stores like Autozone? Also, you mention a satin clear coat with a cross linker. I was just going to buy a spray can of satin clear coat, will that work? I’m not really familiar with adding cross linker to a clear and I’m trying to simplify this. Can you help with these few questions, and then I’m going to get started on this. I’m a bit nervous about this.

By: Philemon Mesfun

Philemon Mesfun — Thu, 05 Aug 2010 01:13:22 +0000

Hello Mike,

I have a 1999 Toyota Avalon, and the steering wheel is fading. I not sure whether or not it is leather, can you tell? I will post pictures. My questions are is this glue the right one http://www.homedepot.com/h_d1/N-5yc1vZ1xgg/R-100371839/h_d2/ProductDisplay?langId=-1&storeId=10051&catalogId=10053 , and also where would I be able to by the dye. Would this work? http://www.autozone.com/autozone/accessories/Rust-Oleum-11-oz-gloss-charcoal-gray-vinyl-and-fabric-paint/_/N-25h9?counter=7&itemIdentifier=631976_0_0_

Pictures of my steering wheel and shift knob:
http://s125.photobucket.com/albums/p63/Philemondahustla/Steering%20Wheel/?action=view¤t=10f2de7a.pbw

Sorry if these are dumb questions,but I need some help.

Thanks you greatly,
Phil

By: San Diego Auto Insurance

San Diego Auto Insurance — Sun, 16 May 2010 23:13:18 +0000

Mike, you are giving out some great advice. I know that I have been detailing cars for a number of years on my own projects. Thanks for all the great tips!

By: Rob in SD

Rob in SD — Sun, 16 May 2010 02:44:05 +0000

WOW!
I can’t believe how well the wheel & airbag in my 99 4runner look after I followed your restoration guide. Eleven years and the finish on the top half of the steering wheel was gone now it looks new.
I would suggest that the steering wheel be removed to do the work if time permits it adds about an hour and a half to the job but it makes it much easier to get full & even coverage. My results would not have been as good if I had not removed the wheel and restored the airbag & wheel individually as separate pieces.
I was hesitant to perform this restoration even after reading your step by step guide but am glad I took the chance. I used the SEM classic coat & Bulldog products you recommended.
Thanks for the info and your effort in writing it up.

Rob

By: Mike-TIG

Mike-TIG — Mon, 25 Jan 2010 02:37:07 +0000

Mark,
As far as dyes for this repair I recommend you check out Viper Products for a water based dye or if your looking for an aerosol like what I’ve got in the article, you might also check this place out, TCPGlobal ,they have a great selection on all kinds of restoration paints and products. You may have to do a bit of searching but they have interior paints by SEM. You will also find the clear coat there too, a satin or low gloss would be probably the best for this.
The flakes you see can be wet sanded off and probably smooth out enough that super glue won’t need to be used. Try sanding it as smooth as possible first then use your super glue as a last resort.
Let me know how things go or if you need anything else…

Talk to ya soon,
Mike Warren – The Interior Guy

By: Mark R

Mark R — Wed, 20 Jan 2010 14:52:01 +0000

Mike,

I have a 1998 Mercedes E320 beige interior. I did not see any dyes for this interior steering wheel. Any sites you can recommend? Also My steering wheel is wearing by coming off in very small falkes. Would the super glue material be the best for this type of wear. Last, the clear coat that you use for the last step, is that the ones I see in a aerosol form? Thank you for your help.

By: Mike-TIG

Mike-TIG — Wed, 30 Dec 2009 02:23:07 +0000

Peter,
I couldn’t really find a “supplier” for SEM in Australia, but I did find a company that sells Leatherique leather products in Australia, = http://www.ppc.au.com/contact.htm = . They use a little different process then what I talked about in my article but they do have a great product and should do you very well with what ever your trying to accomplish. Let me know if this works out for you.

Talk to ya soon,
Mike – The Interior Guy

By: Aussie Pete

Aussie Pete — Tue, 29 Dec 2009 14:50:45 +0000

Mike

Im in australia and am having trouble locating dyes etc to do this process

do you know of any companys that will ship to australia or somewhere here I can get SEM leather procuct from

Peter

By: Mike-TIG

Mike-TIG — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 03:07:56 +0000

Gareth,
Great to hear from you…As far as removing the shine from the steering wheel this should be a pretty easy task. The build up of oils from your hands has been the culprit and what needs to be done is to remove those oils without removing the oils from the leather. What I would start with is a pan of warm water with a squirt of Dawn dish soap, a Scotch Brite Pad and a clean Micro Fiber Towel. Take this solution and scrub the wheel paying attention not to scrub too hard but hard enough to break though the grime. Wipe with the micro fiber towel as you go, and one other thing you might want to do is lay a towel in the seat before you start, this will catch the drippings from the wheel.
Once done your wheel should be dulled out along with nice and clean enough to add a little conditioner to replenish some of the tannery oils lost from the cleaning process. My recommendation for a conditioner is Lexol, this will replenish the oils without leaving it shinny or greasy feeling.
Well Gareth I hope this works for you, if not let me know and we’ll get a little more aggressive with the process. Try this first though and let me know how things turn out

Talk to ya soon,
Mike “TIG”