Steering wheel restoration - Camaro5 Chevy Camaro Forum / Camaro ZL1, SS and V6 Forums

omerc10696 · 12-06-2016, 10:54 PM

Anyone know of a good way to restore a leather steering wheel? Mine currently looks like this

obviously i drive left handed, most of the left side looks like this, the rest of the steering wheel looks great. I hate having a smooth feeling steering wheel and the left side feeling like a worn leather boot. Any help is appreciated.

ChibiBlackSheep · 12-07-2016, 10:26 AM

Have you tried the obvious first step and pick up some good leather cleaner and good leather conditioner? Sometimes you'd be amazed what is actually just dirt and not ruined leather.

I recommend Adam's stuff: http://adamspolishes.com/adam-s-leat...-care-kit.html

If it is far beyond cleaning, steering wheels honestly aren't that hard to swap out and you can probably grab a new wheel for a decent price from a GM Parts guy. I know I got my suede 1LE wheel for only $180 shipped to my door.

You can also look for a leather guy in your area, but I would probably just swap the wheel out.

omerc10696 · 12-07-2016, 08:07 PM

Thanks for the reply! I should've mentioned in my original post that I had tried leather conditioner and cleaner, it worked great for the rest of my steering wheel but not the left spot. Thank for the advice, I'm definitely going to look into replacing the steering wheel. Thanks again!

olblue75 · 12-07-2016, 09:15 PM

I swapped in a 13 1LE that I restitched to orange and got a new airbag.

nUcLeArEnVoY · 12-07-2016, 10:53 PM

Really no way to restore it. Believe it or not, your skin is abrasive and after awhile it abrade the texture from the leather away. When combined with dirt and oils from your skin, that unsightly gloss is the result. Leatherique 2-part system will return some of the factory matte sheen but it's far too gone to restore to like new. It either needs to be re-leathered or replaced, and next time I'd recommend a steering wheel cover to prevent a recurrence.

BRZN · 12-08-2016, 09:17 AM

These guys:
http://www.redlinegoods.com/SteeringWheelCover.php
They did a stock wheel in my '06 GTO:

It had, had a hand stitched cover on the stock wheel previously.

Rainbow1616 · 12-08-2016, 10:31 AM

That looks Sweet!

ChibiBlackSheep · 12-08-2016, 12:14 PM

I run a wheel skins cover in my Monte Carlo. It's nice, but it lacks that factory finish.

BRZN · 12-08-2016, 12:28 PM

Agreed regarding the lack of a factory finish to the Wheel Skins covers. The one I pictured above with the orange top and bottom was a Wheel Skins cover. I had them custom make it for me from colored leather I'd sent them. Great folks to work with, but in the GTO I decided I wanted something more unique. I have Wheel Sinks covers in my daily driven 2013 Malibu and in my 2007 Dodge Magnum. I've also used their covers in several other vehicles I've had in the past.

HAMBO · 12-09-2016, 02:58 PM

I also got a steering wheel cover. Bought this one on Amazon:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I originally bought it because the parking attendants in my office kept scratching my steering wheel (I think they keep keys or clips on their belt loops or something) so I wanted to protect the stock wheel. Over time the stripes have grown on me (and they match my rally stripes).

But ya, the one's BRZN posted seem much more legit if you are looking for a full on replacement.

Merlin · 01-04-2017, 10:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nUcLeArEnVoY

Really no way to restore it. Believe it or not, your skin is abrasive and after awhile it abrade the texture from the leather away. When combined with dirt and oils from your skin, that unsightly gloss is the result. Leatherique 2-part system will return some of the factory matte sheen but it's far too gone to restore to like new. It either needs to be re-leathered or replaced, and next time I'd recommend a steering wheel cover to prevent a recurrence.

^ Agreed. Factory leather is dyed and coated. Once that is worn off it's done. Steering wheel covers are a great preventive maintenance.

frenchsquared · 01-04-2017, 12:50 PM

you can make it less bad with black show polish. Where gloves for a few days after really working into the leather. It will not fix the feeling but it will lesson it.

Grabber · 01-05-2017, 10:22 AM

The redline goods one is nice, but, for that kind of money, couldn't you buy a steering wheel off of say a ZL1, or in my case, a Jeep SRT and have OEM?

Seems like a VERY nice piece, but, taking off the wheel, sending it out, waiting for it to get back, my DD would be down for over a week.

Was the wheelskins a good quality piece for the most part?

BRZN · 01-05-2017, 01:47 PM

The Wheelskins cover is very nice, but it's just a cover you stitch on yourself. You don't have to send your wheel off to have Redline Leather Goods do your wheel. They'll send you everything for you to do the job yourself.

12-06-2016, 10:54 PM	#1
omerc10696 Drives: 2010 Camaro 1LT Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Queens, NY Posts: 44 View My Garage	Steering wheel restoration Anyone know of a good way to restore a leather steering wheel? Mine currently looks like this obviously i drive left handed, most of the left side looks like this, the rest of the steering wheel looks great. I hate having a smooth feeling steering wheel and the left side feeling like a worn leather boot. Any help is appreciated.

12-07-2016, 10:26 AM	#2
ChibiBlackSheep Drives: 2012 2SS/RS, 1968 SS Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Southeast, PA Posts: 2,087	Have you tried the obvious first step and pick up some good leather cleaner and good leather conditioner? Sometimes you'd be amazed what is actually just dirt and not ruined leather. I recommend Adam's stuff: http://adamspolishes.com/adam-s-leat...-care-kit.html If it is far beyond cleaning, steering wheels honestly aren't that hard to swap out and you can probably grab a new wheel for a decent price from a GM Parts guy. I know I got my suede 1LE wheel for only $180 shipped to my door. You can also look for a leather guy in your area, but I would probably just swap the wheel out. __________________ LS3 Crate Engine Swap \| CSP Custom Cam 232/240 .615/.615 113 +3 \| Stainless Power LT Headers \| Z28 Intake \| Borla S-Type Exhaust \| FTI Triple-Disc Billet 3200 Stall 2012 Camaro 2SS/RS \| 1968 Camaro SS \| 2020 Cadillac CT5 Premium Luxury \| 2021 Spark LS

12-07-2016, 09:15 PM	#4
olblue75 Drives: 2010 2SS/RS Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Clarksville Tennesse. Posts: 6,063	I swapped in a 13 1LE that I restitched to orange and got a new airbag. __________________ Orange Krush II 1LE Front sway bar, Splitter, shocks and struts, Z28 dual mode mufflers, Intake, UCA Bushings, and Toresen 3.91 Diff. 1 piece DSS Drive Shaft, ZL1/C7 Calipers, and 32mm JPSS Rear Bar. ASC race spec splitter and wicker. 6th Gen M017 Wheels. Stainless Works 1 7/8 LTs. DSE and PAFDT Suspension components.

12-08-2016, 09:17 AM	#6
BRZN Drives: 2012 1LT Join Date: Nov 2015 Location: Denver, PA Posts: 450	These guys: http://www.redlinegoods.com/SteeringWheelCover.php They did a stock wheel in my '06 GTO: It had, had a hand stitched cover on the stock wheel previously. __________________

12-08-2016, 12:14 PM	#8
ChibiBlackSheep Drives: 2012 2SS/RS, 1968 SS Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Southeast, PA Posts: 2,087	I run a wheel skins cover in my Monte Carlo. It's nice, but it lacks that factory finish. __________________ LS3 Crate Engine Swap \| CSP Custom Cam 232/240 .615/.615 113 +3 \| Stainless Power LT Headers \| Z28 Intake \| Borla S-Type Exhaust \| FTI Triple-Disc Billet 3200 Stall 2012 Camaro 2SS/RS \| 1968 Camaro SS \| 2020 Cadillac CT5 Premium Luxury \| 2021 Spark LS

12-07-2016, 08:07 PM	#3
omerc10696 Drives: 2010 Camaro 1LT Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Queens, NY Posts: 44 View My Garage	Thanks for the reply! I should've mentioned in my original post that I had tried leather conditioner and cleaner, it worked great for the rest of my steering wheel but not the left spot. Thank for the advice, I'm definitely going to look into replacing the steering wheel. Thanks again!

12-07-2016, 10:53 PM	#5
nUcLeArEnVoY Oldbie that nobody knows Drives: 2011 1SS/RS M6 Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Homestead, FL Posts: 3,459 View My Garage	Really no way to restore it. Believe it or not, your skin is abrasive and after awhile it abrade the texture from the leather away. When combined with dirt and oils from your skin, that unsightly gloss is the result. Leatherique 2-part system will return some of the factory matte sheen but it's far too gone to restore to like new. It either needs to be re-leathered or replaced, and next time I'd recommend a steering wheel cover to prevent a recurrence.

12-08-2016, 10:31 AM	#7
Rainbow1616 Drives: 2011 Inferno Orange Camaro 2SS/RS Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Pittsburgh, PA Posts: 1,368	That looks Sweet!

12-08-2016, 12:28 PM	#9
BRZN Drives: 2012 1LT Join Date: Nov 2015 Location: Denver, PA Posts: 450	Agreed regarding the lack of a factory finish to the Wheel Skins covers. The one I pictured above with the orange top and bottom was a Wheel Skins cover. I had them custom make it for me from colored leather I'd sent them. Great folks to work with, but in the GTO I decided I wanted something more unique. I have Wheel Sinks covers in my daily driven 2013 Malibu and in my 2007 Dodge Magnum. I've also used their covers in several other vehicles I've had in the past. __________________

12-09-2016, 02:58 PM	#10
HAMBO Drives: Supercharged 2013 AGM 2SS/RS Join Date: Oct 2013 Location: Los Angeles, CA Posts: 786	I also got a steering wheel cover. Bought this one on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1 I originally bought it because the parking attendants in my office kept scratching my steering wheel (I think they keep keys or clips on their belt loops or something) so I wanted to protect the stock wheel. Over time the stripes have grown on me (and they match my rally stripes). But ya, the one's BRZN posted seem much more legit if you are looking for a full on replacement. __________________ 2013 AGM 2SS/RS SLP TVS2300, Edge CAI, 3" Magnaflow catback, BC Racing BR series coilovers, HRE FF15's (20x10 square) with Michelin Pilot Sport 4S's, GM STB, BMR front and rear sway bars and toe links, Prothane subframe bushings and front control arm inserts, JDP rear upper control arm bushings, Elite Engineering catch can. Tuned by Cunningham Motorsports. 1967 Bolero Red 396 SS/RS Convertible

01-04-2017, 12:50 PM	#12
frenchsquared Drives: 15 Z28, 01 Corvette, 96 Corvette Join Date: Dec 2016 Location: Colorado Posts: 863	you can make it less bad with black show polish. Where gloves for a few days after really working into the leather. It will not fix the feeling but it will lesson it.

01-05-2017, 10:22 AM	#13
Grabber Just a car guy Drives: 2016 Durango R/T AWD Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Wheeling, IL Posts: 808	The redline goods one is nice, but, for that kind of money, couldn't you buy a steering wheel off of say a ZL1, or in my case, a Jeep SRT and have OEM? Seems like a VERY nice piece, but, taking off the wheel, sending it out, waiting for it to get back, my DD would be down for over a week. Was the wheelskins a good quality piece for the most part? __________________ 2016 Durango R/T AWD 2014 5.0 - Ported CobraJet Manifold - SCJ Mono-Blade TB - Kooks 1-3/4" LT Headers - Kooks O/R H-pipe - Custom Intake - McLeod clutch line - Borla S-Type Axle Backs - AED Tuned - 443 RWHP / 388 RWTQ - GONE 05 GT - Sold 03 Cobra - Gone (Never Forgotten)

01-05-2017, 01:47 PM	#14
BRZN Drives: 2012 1LT Join Date: Nov 2015 Location: Denver, PA Posts: 450	The Wheelskins cover is very nice, but it's just a cover you stitch on yourself. You don't have to send your wheel off to have Redline Leather Goods do your wheel. They'll send you everything for you to do the job yourself. __________________