Cleaning up an old steering wheel
Discussion
Just bought an old leather wheel in pretty decent condition. However, having seen it in the flesh it seems to have been painted with something to restore the colour - no idea what, but it has a slightly rough feel and you can almost see brush strokes in places. I want a bit of patina to it as it is a 30 year old wheel on a 25 year old car, but I want a smoother finish to it.
Any suggestions where to start? Was going to use a damp cloth, maybe some leather cleaner, and then some food. However, now I'm wondering if I should use something slightly abrasive to make it smoother, like one of those magic erasers. Not sure if that would make it worse though...
I see some steering wheel resto kits that have some sort of sealant or finisher, maybe that would smooth it out, but don't want it all shiny.
Any ideas?
Any suggestions where to start? Was going to use a damp cloth, maybe some leather cleaner, and then some food. However, now I'm wondering if I should use something slightly abrasive to make it smoother, like one of those magic erasers. Not sure if that would make it worse though...
I see some steering wheel resto kits that have some sort of sealant or finisher, maybe that would smooth it out, but don't want it all shiny.
Any ideas?
Just used some autoglym leather cleaner and a lot of colour came off on the cloth. Fed with some gliptone liquid leather but still feels rough (and a lot of colour came off while feeding it. Have a funny feeling on a hot day I will get black hands!
Will meths/white spirit damage the leather?
Will meths/white spirit damage the leather?
CABC said:
PositronicRay said:
Mine was fine 
Maybe try a little on the back 1st.
bump on this... is the wheel still ok? Maybe try a little on the back 1st.my leather momo has become a little too smooth.
Meths sounds like it will remove a lot of grease and other sweaty residue. fear of course is that the leather cracks later.
On an old leather steering wheel there is so much muck.
If you use a strong kitchen cleaner spray you will see the dirt just drop off. That's fine, you want to get the dirt off. Ideally you spray the cleaner on, you wipe off with kitchen towel, and then use a water sodden cloth to just wipe around the wheel a few times.
When the water sodden cloth is getting little dirt on it then leave it for 24 hours to dry.
Then repeat the process, cleaner spray, water sodden cloth, let it dry.
24 hours later use Gliptone or similar leather food/ conditioner and rub in well. Repeat 24 hours later and in 24 hours you should have a very good steering wheel showing patina of its age. If you want it as new just use leather dye and then another coat of conditioner and its Ther.
If you use a strong kitchen cleaner spray you will see the dirt just drop off. That's fine, you want to get the dirt off. Ideally you spray the cleaner on, you wipe off with kitchen towel, and then use a water sodden cloth to just wipe around the wheel a few times.
When the water sodden cloth is getting little dirt on it then leave it for 24 hours to dry.
Then repeat the process, cleaner spray, water sodden cloth, let it dry.
24 hours later use Gliptone or similar leather food/ conditioner and rub in well. Repeat 24 hours later and in 24 hours you should have a very good steering wheel showing patina of its age. If you want it as new just use leather dye and then another coat of conditioner and its Ther.
Gassing Station | Bodywork & Detailing | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff