Slick Leather Steering Wheels

Nic Walker · 07-09-08, 09:10

There were some recent posts on the topic. I recently had my leather wheel on my Reatta Coupe re wrapped by Carter Craft of Craft Customs (AKA American Stitches) in Texas. I thought I would call and ask him about his feelings on the slick steering wheel problem. His reply was not a great deal that can be done as eventually all leather wheels will end up slick due to the oils in our skin . He added to slow the process down to keep the wheel clean with mild soap (woolite mixture) and water, and use Lexol.

judyb · 07-09-08, 11:39

Keeping leather clean will always help with the battle against the build up of oils and grease form the hands but the use of a leather protector which will inhibit the oils from penetrating the leather finish will really lengthen its life. Not sure why they recommend a conditioner when you are actually trying to prevent the build up of oils etc!!!! simply doesn't make sense.

Nic Walker · 07-10-08, 05:22

Judyb,,,,

What you state : " a leather protector which will inhibit the oils from penetrating the leather finish will really lengthen its life" makes much more sense to me....what do you suggest please? I was just reporting what Larry Craft told me yesterday.

Thanks,

Nic

Quality Leather · 07-13-08, 09:19

What Larry said is essentially correct. I consider cleaning the most important part of keeping leather in optimum shape. A conditioner is not really necessary. Judy is talking about something different. She sells a protector. I know of another protector that is being tested that is supposed to do the same thing. In the end, they may be of benefit but cleaning is still the most important thing.

Nic Walker · 07-13-08, 09:26

Thanks for the reply Quality Leather

.. appreciated.

For the steering wheel is a 50/50 woolite what you would suggest as well?

Thanks,

Nic

Quality Leather · 07-13-08, 09:56

No, I usually use 1 to 3 percent dishwashing liquid

MBenz · 07-13-08, 03:58

I use wollite diluuted 1:6 with water, or a leather cleaner like Zaino z9 or duragloss leather cleaner. Soap it up and scrub with a brush and watch all the gunk come off.

Edwards944 · 07-13-08, 04:59

i had a plymoth neon that had a lehter steering whell and i covered it with a vinyl cover that i got at Kmark. it fit snug and had nascar ritten on it. they had some that had budwizer on them but the budwizer was red and the res of the intrur was blue. i don't think that would look good. they had lots of other colors. some were black. black like coal.