So I'm back on the Farm this long weekend and thought it would be a good chance to detail the ol' girl up which turned into the attempt to repair my leather steering wheel and handbrake...My problem, and I'm sure most others will have the same issue, is the top layer of the leather has come off 80% of the steering wheel. Doesn't look to good hey! I usually have a steering wheel cover on but I hate it. So I had a 'nothing to lose' situation that was worth giving a shot, especially when a new wheel is $800!....one day... My idea was to try and remove all of the remaining top layer so that there was some consistency to the texture of the leather before I treated it. I used some 80p Sand paper with light pressure to do this. I couldnt be bothered removing the steering wheel and chose to just clean up later....Ended up to be a very fleshy job Smells like a cow! Then as if you were sanding wood I came down in grade until I used some scotch bright. Once I got the leather all smooth again I rummaged through Mum's horse riding kit and found some leather cleaning/oiling products believe it or not. The oil in the larger container soaked in very quickly and started to darken things up. Then I used the cream in the smaller container which is more of an all rounder, containing bees wax, oil and some other leather caring goodness. I used this quite liberally, left it for an hour, then buffed it like an ol' school shoe polisher. Once I started this process It made sense to leave the steering wheel on as it help hold it in place... This is the final product of the steering wheel after another round of leather waxing and buffing. I did the same steps to my handbrake....before and after.... I am absolutely stoked with the outcome of this project, they look like new again! I really didn't think this would pull off! But there you go, give it a try yourself, it didn't take long :zlove: ....Enjoy
Hahaha lol Baz... Yeah she's good to me The cream is century's old almost Mum says lol but I she says a good saddlery shop would have a similar type if 'cream' base product.... Or try a good leather shop. The cream I found to be the best for the job, more do than the oil, but the oil is also good to start the job... The leather sucked it up instantly...pretty thirsty I think
Lol it's smooth but not that smooth! I've seen some good nick leather oem wheels and there gloss! I would assume they are slipperier. The feel is similar to alcantara I guess, but shorter fibres in the leather. In fact the leather steering wheel that's in good nick doesn't match the center pad of the wheel IMO. It's too jet black whereas the pad is a dark grey. My finished wheel matches the colour of the pad spot on now.
Hell no! I'm yet to go for a drive but it feels so much better now! And it's much thinner now than when it had the cover on which is great!
Thanks buddy. Yeah it turned out pretty good... I would doubt anyone would be able to tell the difference. Just be light on with the pressure you use when sanding with the 80p sand paper (you will get a feel). Then go for a 900p grade paper and finish of with the scotch bright, with this you can put a bit more pressure on. If you need any more help pm me
Yes your right, that is the next step but I would say it might just need an update with just of the shelf leather care from any auto store. It wouldn't be any more effort than when your doing a quick clean inside.. But yes time will tell