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Thread: Steering Wheel recovering - best options?

  1. #1
    My friends think I'm nuts jawn101's Avatar
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    Steering Wheel recovering - best options?

    Hey all. Looking to address a cosmetic thing that's been bugging me for a while. My shrunken, sun damaged leather on the steering wheel. Yes, the center cap is wrecked as well but the fix for that is cheap and obvious. The thing that I'm wondering about is what everyone is doing as far as recovering or replacing the wheel itself. Of course there's nothing structurally or mechanically wrong with it, it's just the leather outer wrap that needs help. Houston wants what would seem to be a ridiculous $480 with a $150 core that will entail at least another $60 in two-way shipping charges. It seems like there must be a less expensive way to achieve similar results.

    I don't want to go the hub adapter/MOMO(type) route and would rather have the OEM look. What have others done?
    Jon
    1981 DMC-12 #02100. July 1981. 5-speed, black, grooved w/flap.
    restoration log, March 2011 to present
    full and detailed photo restoration log

  2. #2
    Senior Member Chris 16409's Avatar
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    I would honestly find a local upholstery shop and have them give you a quote. Any competent shop should be able to do it for $200 or less.
    Chris Miles

    For Better or Worse I own a DeLorean!
    1983 Grey Manual, VIN #16409, Fresno, California

  3. #3
    My friends think I'm nuts jawn101's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Chris 16409 View Post
    I would honestly find a local upholstery shop and have them give you a quote. Any competent shop should be able to do it for $200 or less.
    Surprisingly there are two such shops in my town, and both laughed me off the phone when I asked. They said "I dont know anyone who does those, they're a pain in the butt"
    Jon
    1981 DMC-12 #02100. July 1981. 5-speed, black, grooved w/flap.
    restoration log, March 2011 to present
    full and detailed photo restoration log

  4. #4
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    NOS (blem) Steering Wheels

    Quote Originally Posted by jawn101 View Post
    Surprisingly there are two such shops in my town, and both laughed me off the phone when I asked. They said "I dont know anyone who does those, they're a pain in the butt"
    Back in the day we acquired a large of inventory of parts from the Bridgewater/Somerville prep center which included almost 100 steering wheels that had scuffs or scratches. We still have a few left. We spray them with a flexible black dye and they look almost good as new. We sell them for $250- plus the core charge if not provided one. It is actually hard to find an upholstery shop with the necessary box stitch equipment that is willing and able to do steering wheels and they generally get about $400- or so to do so. If you're looking for stock this may be your best option.
    Rob

  5. #5
    My friends think I'm nuts jawn101's Avatar
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    Rob - can you share any pics of some of the nicer ones?
    Jon
    1981 DMC-12 #02100. July 1981. 5-speed, black, grooved w/flap.
    restoration log, March 2011 to present
    full and detailed photo restoration log

  6. #6
    Senior Member
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    Hervey has recovered steering wheels on his interior page that I can certainly vouch for. $299.00. He'll want your old one in exchange.

    I put one in my car and it was the final touch I was looking for.

  7. #7
    My friends think I'm nuts jawn101's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by iflights View Post
    Hervey has recovered steering wheels on his interior page that I can certainly vouch for. $299.00. He'll want your old one in exchange.

    I put one in my car and it was the final touch I was looking for.
    Ugh, I'd forgotten he existed. Maybe I'll take a look.
    Jon
    1981 DMC-12 #02100. July 1981. 5-speed, black, grooved w/flap.
    restoration log, March 2011 to present
    full and detailed photo restoration log

  8. #8
    Mostly Harmless... refugeefromcalif's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by jawn101 View Post
    Ugh, I'd forgotten he existed. Maybe I'll take a look.
    Might be better that you forget he exists... (As you know, Lots of Horror stories dealing with him).
    Just my .02.

    George
    George.



    1974 BMW RS90 motorcycle
    1981 DeLorean. Cruise Control, Wings-A-Loft, Eibach springs, Spax shocks, Stage1 exhaust, Manual, Grey and Grooved, LED clock and fixed pulls.
    1993 del Sol S (With a Few, Upgrades)
    2017 Chrysler Pacifica Limited

  9. #9
    My friends think I'm nuts jawn101's Avatar
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    Steering Wheel recovering - best options?

    Quote Originally Posted by refugeefromcalif View Post
    Might be better that you forget he exists... (As you know, Lots of Horror stories dealing with him).
    Just my .02.

    George
    Yeah, my luck I'd get the wheel from a '78 Lada wrapped in sticky tin foil. "I've sold a million of these and you're the first complaint" - no thanks. Will probably go with Rob if they're really as nice as he says!
    Jon
    1981 DMC-12 #02100. July 1981. 5-speed, black, grooved w/flap.
    restoration log, March 2011 to present
    full and detailed photo restoration log

  10. #10
    User title. Soundkillr's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by jawn101 View Post
    Yeah, my luck I'd get the wheel from a '78 Lada wrapped in sticky tin foil. "I've sold a million of these and you're the first complaint" - no thanks. Will probably go with Rob if they're really as nice as he says!
    Lol, thats a true story.

    Btw, it is expensive for shops to recover steering wheels. Way back when, I called multiple shops, and not one would touch a steering wheel....
    Soundkillr was here.

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