Member Since: 27 May 2013
Location: Oxfordshire
Posts: 68
How to renovate a lumpy leather steering wheel...
Although buying a new steering wheel is a better option you can seriously improve the existing one for around £10. I'm restoring a classic car with a lot of leather in it and have had to try and save some of the expensive elements using repair kits.
The basic principle is to remove the finish with nail varnish remover then apply the new finish - (basically a special paint) and then matt or gloss or satin sealer (looks like PVA glue), leather colour repair kits are available on eBay for around £10. Simply apply the nail varnish remover to a cloth and then rub away until the lumps have disolved - the cloth will go very black! I didn't spend very long doing this but it still came out pretty well - took me less than an hour in total...
Results of a not very thorough job are below;
Click image to enlarge
12th Jun 2013 8:47 am
Biffysun
Member Since: 09 Jul 2011
Location: Central
Posts: 1790
Great job mate, what a difference
12th Jun 2013 8:50 am
Steve D
Member Since: 04 Nov 2012
Location: Essexshire
Posts: 377
I drive quite a few motors in my job and I HATE that black bobbly on the steering wheel. What is it? A mixture of dirt and congealed hand sweat? Yuk!
12th Jun 2013 8:54 am
Advanced Factors Site Sponsor
Member Since: 27 Nov 2012
Location: Southampton
Posts: 2649
Looks great, you might be getting a lot of new D3 contacts soon!Paul Redding
+44 (0)23 8052 2774
Order Parts Online at www.advancedfactors.co.uk
12th Jun 2013 8:57 am
euangibson
Member Since: 24 Dec 2010
Location: Borders
Posts: 11027
Really nice job
Steve D wrote:
I drive quite a few motors in my job and I HATE that black bobbly on the steering wheel. What is it? A mixture of dirt and congealed hand sweat? Yuk!
Did LR not suggest it was caused by moisturisers,or some other cosmetic product ? (thereby nicely side-stepping any warranty claims)"Better to remain silent and be thought a fool,than to speak out and remove all doubt" ?.....what rubbish...
Locking rear E-diff
RLD spare wheel protector & sump guard
Extended roof rails
Series 111 mudflaps
Black side tubes,grill and vents
Timed climate remote
Hids4u interior lights
D4 Firenze my2012 HSE
D3 Java 2005 SE manual (sold,sadly,thanks for the memories)
1966 '88 Series 2a....still starts in the morning better than I do...
12th Jun 2013 9:04 am
CGA
Member Since: 03 May 2010
Location: Preferably horrizontal
Posts: 284
Top result.
How long do you expect it to last, and what does it feel like/slippy?CGA
12th Jun 2013 9:06 am
randall977
Member Since: 27 May 2013
Location: Oxfordshire
Posts: 68
The lumps are a mixture of leather paint and leather varnish - which is why nail varnish remover works so well on it. I think sweat and heat make it go lumpy but poor choice of finish is the cause - it's not like it's new technology! The new finish should last a long time, it feels like any other leather steering wheel - no guarantee but so far so good in the sun and humidity...
12th Jun 2013 9:21 am
Steve D
Member Since: 04 Nov 2012
Location: Essexshire
Posts: 377
I've seen the same on gearknobs too. Urrrgh!
12th Jun 2013 9:23 pm
Dave
Member Since: 08 Mar 2006
Location: North Yorkshire
Posts: 2462
Wow! Well done. Tip of the day 8)Captain Nick Medhurst would ask:
"What is the first rule when overlanding?"
I would Reply:
"Duratrac"
12th Jun 2013 9:28 pm
welshsurferdude
Member Since: 15 Dec 2012
Location: Cardiff
Posts: 209
I have that same bobbly mess on a disco hse I just bought👷! You may have just saved me buying a new wheel!
Seems there are repair kits for steering wheels on eBay with everything you need to restore it for £15!
12th Jun 2013 9:36 pm
blowpipe
Member Since: 07 May 2009
Location: lightwater
Posts: 1111
Superb. Link for kit appreciated (prob via ebay section to comply with forum guidelines).
12th Jun 2013 9:41 pm
iand3
Member Since: 24 Apr 2013
Location: All over
Posts: 130
Thats great! Top job! So did you apply the paint finish aswell in your 'after' pic or is that just from nail varnish remover?Current: D3 TDV6 S; GGAT's, DIY 7inch Tablet mount, DIY Reversing Camera, Stage 1 remap, EGR delete
Previous: Freelander TD4, D2 V8, D1 TDI, Series 3 Petrol plus Numerous performance cars!
12th Jun 2013 10:28 pm
Disco_Mikey
Member Since: 29 May 2007
Location: Dundee, Scotland
Posts: 20844
blowpipe wrote:
Superb. Link for kit appreciated (prob via ebay section to comply with forum guidelines).
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Great job mate, what a difference 
on the steering wheel. What is it? A mixture of dirt and congealed hand sweat? Yuk!
