Steering Wheel recovering - best options?

[jawn101]

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?

[Chris 16409]

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.

[jawn101]

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"

[PJ Grady Inc.]

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

[jawn101]

Rob - can you share any pics of some of the nicer ones? :)

[iflights]

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.

[jawn101]

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.

[refugeefromcalif]

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

[jawn101]

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!

[Soundkillr]

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....

[opethmike]

My steering wheel was rather knackered, so I just threw it out, and use a couple of vice grips on the steering shaft instead.

[DMCMW Dave]

My steering wheel was rather knackered, so I just threw it out, and use a couple of vice grips on the steering shaft instead.

I thought you might have just welded up a chain and made your own.

[MikeWard]

A good trimmer should be able to recover it for you no problem.

52416

[nirvanaman]

I got mine done from a local small restoration shop for around $250. Black leather was not quite the right color match though. Still a lot cheaper than going through DMC and a lot better than the original condition. They were able to match the stitching perfectly. I think I am going to get the horn cover and center console armrest recovered to match.

52524

[David T]

I got mine done from a local small restoration shop for around $250. Black leather was not quite the right color match though. Still a lot cheaper than going through DMC and a lot better than the original condition. They were able to match the stitching perfectly. I think I am going to get the horn cover and center console armrest recovered to match.

52524

if the color is off you can always try redyiing it. Leatherique (.com) has the colors on file.

[nirvanaman]

if the color is off you can always try redyiing it. Leatherique (.com) has the colors on file.

Thanks, I'll check it out.

[klaus5980]

You can leave the old leather in place and cover the steering wheel with new leather.
It will look more modern and gets 'more grip' ...

52575