Worn Leather Wrapped Steering Wheel Repair-What To Do?

[Chris@Optimum]

I have a `97 Landcruiser that has excessive wear @ 12 o`clock position on the wheel. Does anyone know if these have a normal wheel behind the leather or if the leather was glued on? I was just thinking about removing the leather by cutting the thread holding it but I didn`t want to make it look even worse by exposing a gluey mess. Anyone ever taken it off?



TIA

[racing2448]

got the same problem on my 04 dodge ram... its starting to show wear. I keep the zaino leather conditioner on it and it doesnt seem to be getting worse, but sometime in the near future i will have it rewrapped

[06E90]

Is there any product to coat or "paint" the leather?

[imported_Gears]

How about a Wheelskins cover? They are all leather and lace on.

[Chris@Optimum]

I started to just take it off but the wheel underneath is black and my interior is tan. I looked at the wheelskins, but they won`t cover the black on the fou r spokes of the wheel. Oh, well I guess I will see if Toyota offers a replacement wrap or take it to a upholsterer.

[imported_steveo3002]

Is there any product to coat or "paint" the leather?



i was very happy with leather magic products...its a paint/dye



you basicly degrease and scuff/sand the oem finish and then apply a couple of coats of dye...can also be used to change the color



before



http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v20/pigbladder/misc/leatherdye002.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v20/pigbladder/misc/leatherdye003.jpg



sanded



http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v20/pigbladder/misc/leatherdye004.jpg



done

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v20/pigbladder/misc/leatherdyyedone006.jpg



side by side ...re dyed and a orig bolster



http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v20/pigbladder/misc/leatherdyyedone003.jpg



http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v20/pigbladder/misc/leatherdyyedone002.jpg

[pontgta]

Steve,

That is very nice. I will have to keep that product in mid

[pdl2mtl90]

Wheelskins - The World`s Finest Genuine Leather Motoring Accessories, Steering Wheel Covers, Driving Gloves and Shift Boots (http://www.wheelskins.com/original_wheelskin.php)



I have used these 3 times and love them. I have had one on my Mustang for about 3-4 years and it still looks like new.

[Saintlysins]

It’s going to become a personal decision for you. If you want the ‘cover’ over the steering wheel, go for it, but you must secure it to the wheel (hopefully with laces over glue). The hardest part will be to match an off the shelf cover to your interior color.

’s going to become a personal decision for you. If you want the ‘cover’ over the steering wheel, go for it, but you must secure it to the wheel (hopefully with laces over glue). The hardest part will be to match an off the shelf cover to your interior color.



I don’t like them ‘covered’, (personal choice) and have only taken one to a very reputable leather and upholstery shop. I loved it so much better than what was on there in the first place. But it’s hard to find good shops, but the older and experienced shops are good at shaping the leather to the contours of the wheel for best fit and color match.



Good luck.



Question for “Steveo3002� - the pictures look fantastic. The best ‘return’ of finish I’ve ever seen and I’m impressed. My question dates back to the early 90’s, (and they were Porsche seats too :) ), when I had my last experience with dye’s and resurfacing ended in disaster on a pair of light colored cotton kaki’s and perspiration. The kaki’s took some dye and where ruined. I never could stop the dye from leeching when cottons and perspiration were introduced and always covered the seats with a towel and later with sheepskin covers. Since then it’s always been complete reupholster.

Has this been a problem with these products? Have the chemical compounds become that much better in the last decade?

Thanks.

[imported_steveo3002]

no , ive had no problems with the dye..although its called dye it behaves like paint . its just like oem finish it behaves just the same with various leather dressings ive tried and no color comes off at all



not sure how it will last over years in use ...but its cheap and easy enough to re touch after a few years wear

[citizen arcane]

A question for steveo3002: I noticed that the seats were literally apart at the seams, in your opinion, can this process be done in place? BTW nice restoration!

[imported_steveo3002]

yes it can be done with the seat in place, mine needed repair to the heat pad and they were new to me , so i took the chance to clean and restore them well while they were out..i even re painted the subframes lol



obviously if you can remove the seat and any minor trims , it lessens the chances of spills on the carpets etc

[OCKlasse]

What grit sandpaper was used? Thanks!

[imported_steveo3002]

aim to finish up with 320 ...i used 240 and 180 on the worst areas then went over it all with 320

[Greg Nichols]

Is this the web site for the product? Leather Magic Leather Repair Cleaner Conditioner dye Restoration and Protection Products (http://www.leathermagic.com/index.html)



I would sure like a blow by blow on the process and products.



I assume coated leather will act much different, more like not at all?