Restoring Leather Steering Wheel

[240SX]

Hey all,

My steering wheel has leather that was once black, but now completely faded. Is there some kind of dye or something I can use to restore the black.





Yeah I don't know how to resize pics

Thanks guys

[CieraSL]

Re: Restoring Leather Steering Wheel

I right-clicked the images and then clicked View Image to view them smaller. I use Firefox.

Here's a good thread for you: How to resize your photos before uploading
If you use iPhoto, see this thread, specifically post #4: http://meguiarsonline.com/forums/showthread.php?t=32904
Then just follow the instructions in this thread: How to place an image in your messages

[240SX]

Re: Restoring Leather Steering Wheel

Whoops, My bad

[CieraSL]

Re: Restoring Leather Steering Wheel

What's up with all the dust?

[Megafast13]

Re: Restoring Leather Steering Wheel

Your Interior Needs some work!

First, use APC or APC+ to actually clean the steering wheel, dash, and other components in the interior. This will also remove some of the discoloration on the wheel itself.

Then Apply a Protectant such as Natural Shine, Supreme Shine, or M40.

[Murr1525]

Re: Restoring Leather Steering Wheel

Your Interior Needs some work!

First, use APC or APC+ to actually clean the steering wheel, dash, and other components in the interior. This will also remove some of the discoloration on the wheel itself.

Then Apply a Protectant such as Natural Shine, Supreme Shine, or M40.

I agree about cleaning with APC and a terry cloth towel.

However, if the wheel is actually leather, you would want to use a leather conditioner, like the Gold Class Leather Cleaner & Conditioner cream. Meguiars does not make any leather dye's, and I'm not sure how durable one would be getting handled a lot.

And then the Natural Shine can be for the rest of the interior plastic.

[Megafast13]

Re: Restoring Leather Steering Wheel

Yeah, I highly doubt it's REAL leather, but if it is then yes, choose from one of meguiars many leather cleaner/conditioners!

[roushstage2]

Re: Restoring Leather Steering Wheel

^^ Why would you highly doubt it's real leather? It's actually fairly common...

As for restoring the color, after cleaning it very well, get some SEM Classic Coat. It's a flexible leather/vinyl paint available in just about every OEM color. Plus, SEM rocks. Great stuff.

[J. A. Michaels]

Re: Restoring Leather Steering Wheel

I would think that before buying some dye. You should give the interior a thorough cleaning. This way you can make a accurate assessment of the true condition of the leather. I would probably go with apc, protectorant of your choice on everything but the steering wheel, then the leather cleaner/ conditioneron the steering wheel.

You may have to give the steering wheel a couple of coats to bring it back to life. .

[Megafast13]

Re: Restoring Leather Steering Wheel

^^ Why would you highly doubt it's real leather? It's actually fairly common...

As for restoring the color, after cleaning it very well, get some SEM Classic Coat. It's a flexible leather/vinyl paint available in just about every OEM color. Plus, SEM rocks. Great stuff.

Looked like an ancient nissan

[Justin A]

Re: Restoring Leather Steering Wheel

The steering wheel in my car was faded like that when I got it. Turns out, it was actually mostly hand grime that had built up over the years. I used Gold Class leather cleaner/conditioner and a toothbrush to clean it up. Looks better that new. I'm not going to say that this WILL restore you steering wheel, but it will at least make it look nicer

My Saab's leather shift knob (black) started fading after about a year of me driving it - GENUINE FADING - the once black leather was turning beige. I used Kiwi Leather dye that's normally used on shoes to spot-treat the fading, made it look new again. BE CAREFUL WHEN USING THE DYE - it WILL stain anything it touches, whether it's your hands, seats, plastic trim, clothing - anything. Follow the directions on the bottle closely. I recommend the gel product form as it doesn't run as much as the liquid.

[Justin A]

Re: Restoring Leather Steering Wheel

After looking again, I'd say just clean it really well and go with the Kiwi Dye. It's available at just about any supermarket for ~$5 a bottle. There should be enough in a bottle to do your steering wheel, shift knob, and hand brake. Post pictures when you're done.

[Maserati Mario]

Re: Restoring Leather Steering Wheel

There is really nothing you can do.
The leather has broke down and soon will be gone.
SEM CC is a vinyl paint. You can use it but I don't think you'll be happy with the results.
Get a nice cover at your local Auto parts store.

[jfelbab]

Re: Restoring Leather Steering Wheel

If you find that you need to do a re-dye, I can suggest this company as I've used them in the past.

leatherworldtech.com

Once refinished, use a gentle cleaner and protection product to maintain.

[zeegs]

Re: Restoring Leather Steering Wheel

Try Doc Bailey's, best black leather dye I've seen.

https://www.leatherclear.com/cgi-bin/store/commerce.cgi?template=2&page=dochome.htm