Can I paint the steering wheel?

[jagee]

I've got my steering wheel off to change my turn signal switch and I was wondering if it is ok to paint it. The vinyl is in good shape but is a little discolored. I'm kinda worried to do it because I have another old car that someone has painted the steering wheel and it has become VERY sticky. Has anyone ever painted one before? If so, what did you use and how did it turn out?

[TTait]

The center pad can be touched up with a vinyl dye, but most of the wheel is leather, not vinyl.

In theory, many vinyl dyes are also ok on leather...

Either way, don't use paint - use a dye - and prep is king. There could be multiple layers of waxes, conditioners, armor all, you name it on both the wheel and center pad.

SEM makes nice vinyl dye, and also has a vinyl prep product. Not sure what you would use to prep the leather...

[Dangermouse]

Isn't your wheel leather covered?

I think it would do exactly as you have seen and become sticky.

You can get it recovered at DMCH btw

[DMCNY]

The leather on my wheel was in pretty good shape for original, but did have a few small areas of fading. I used turtle wax black color wax. I think it turned out very nice.

Use at your own risk, of coarse.

[jagee]

What do you think about paint intended for use on vinyl? I used it on my door panels in my Chevelle with good results. Do you think it would work the same on the leather?

[WelmoedJ]

As other already mentioned the steering wheel is mainly covered in leather.
I would not use any dye or paint on the steering wheel.

It's ok for parts that you don't touch regularly, but you hold the steering wheel all the time you drive, isn't it?
I presume it would get sticky if your hands are warm and get moist.

A better way - also adviced previously - is to have it recovered.

The center pad can also be covered in leather (with imprinted DMC logo).
Interested? Go and visit www.deloreancarprojects.com

[Bitsyncmaster]

It's ok for parts that you don't touch regularly, but you hold the steering wheel all the time you drive, isn't it?
I presume it would get sticky if your hands are warm and get moist.


Exactly. Not only warm and moist but you get a lot of oils and acids from you hands that makes paint sticky. The paint would also need a lot of flex to prevent cracking.

You can try black shoe polish which is very thin and will sink into the leather.

[David T]

Go over to leatherique.com for dyes, rejuvinator, and cleaner for leather. The leather in the Delorean consists of:
seating surfaces (the front of the back and the top of the seat)
door pull straps
steering wheel
shift boot (in the 5-speeds)
All of the other interior surfaces are vinyl (or fabric). Different products are used for each so do not mix.
David Teitelbaum

[TTait]

Yeah, no way on paint. Dye - only if its intended for leather and if you really prep the heck out of it. Leather dye is also available for shoes, belts, etc. If you do dye it, don't let it drip on the carpet or seat.

Maybe get an old leather work glove, dye that first, and then after it dries wear it inside out all day to see what happens...

All of that said - if you get to the point where you either are going to dye the leather, or have it recovered or replace the wheel, you have little to lose at that point in carefully trying.

T