Restoring vintage leather steering wheels

[denson]

Hi:
I had an old leather steering wheel that I was going to have restored by having the old leather removed and new leather installed. The cost from a very reputable shop was about $600.00. The wheel was in good shape, but the leather had worn to such a level that it had bcome uneven and rough to the touch. I took sandpaper and smoothed out the entire wheel. It was perfectly smooth when I got done. I dyed it three times, but never went near the white stitching. After that, I coated it in Griots leather care a few times.

The wheel looks new now. It was truly amazing. Has anyone ever done this before? What do you think?

John

[68911+1]

Wet sanding leather is a common technique and I have used it on several factory leather covered steering wheels to excellent results. I never would have thought the results would have been so great. There is much on the internet about wet sanding leather. SEMS makes a sanding product but I found a suggested recipe using equal parts of rubbing alcohol, acetone, ammonia and a TSP substitute as the wet medium. Wet sanding with this mixture softens the die and leather surface and actually fills in cracks. The leather can then be finished off with any of the usual dyes and finishes.

When I first used this I was intimidated by sanding on a factory 380mm leather wheel but figured I would recover it if it didn’t work out. This technique saved a dry, cracked and faded stock wheel cover and it finished with a great patina that left it looking its age, well preserved, without being over restored new.

[Soterik]

John,

Would love to see a pic....(before and after?)

I've never tried doing this before (but have heard of it), have pretty much subscribed to the opinion of overpaying for the best wheel possible as any recovering never has looked quite the same as OE, though I have had Tony do a half dozen wheels for me and they do look fantastic.

tks,
E

[denson]

I felt that same way that if I messed the wheel up, I would just have it recovered. The risk element was small. Thanks for the ideas on additional products.

I think I actually like this better than a restored wheel. It looks good, but still has a slight patina. I did not know this is a fairly common practice. Well, I will have to do a few for some friends!

John

[Soterik]

picture please!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[sithot]

I found a suggested recipe using equal parts of rubbing alcohol, acetone, ammonia and a TSP substitute as the wet medium.

Leave out the ammonia and TSP and it sounds like a nice buzz.

Tom

[911rips]

Tom
That would be the same recipe as that crazy juice in your freezer - yes?

Pictures of the wheel please!

[sithot]

Er... that's racing fuel as far as you are concerned. Makes more horsepower cold.

Tom

[denson]

fellow S addicts:


I will definately post some pictures, but now that I know this is a "workable" process, I want to work the wheel some more. I was concerned when I started it, so I went along without confidence. This coming weekend I am going to go back to work with a lower grit paper and work it lightly, stain it a few times and apply a good oil preservative. What I like is that the stitching looks old and not so bright white. I love stuff like this. When I was doing my 356 cab up years ago, I got hooked on Les Leston wheels and sanded, stained and urethaned several wheels. It was a lot of fun especially when I put one on a friends car.

I, too had a few restored by Tony. He is the best and a real good guy, but the patina is gone after the restoration.

Tom, keep play up on the Buzz. I will make sure not to inhale to close to the mix.

John

[sithot]

Patina moved out of my garage a few years ago.

Tom