How to recondition a walnut steering wheel?

StevenWilliams · 2nd February 2009, 21:28

I need some advice.

I have a walnut and sandstone steering wheel that I purchased for £30 from a breakers. The problem is the leather is not in the best condition and it has a slight chip on the laquer.

I'm looking for advice on how to re-colour and finish the leather and what laquer to use to fill the chip.

Due to a recent redundancy I don't want to spend a load of money doing this. I've heard that you can re-paint the leather but I wouldn't know what products to buy.

all help is appreciated and I'll post pictures as the work progresses.

Dave***t · 3rd February 2009, 06:37

Not sure about the wood, but for the leather I've seen some good results on seats from using liquid leather scuff master. A quick google should yield the info.

Don't know how it'd work on a higher friction area like a steering wheel but when used right it's very effective stuff.

Mel Dawson · 3rd February 2009, 06:48

Hi Steve,
I used leather dye from [email protected] it cost me £18.30inc p&p he does all rover colours & it makes a very good job of it (i did mine about 3 months ago & its still like new).

Cheers Mel:lol:

Bartonrover · 3rd February 2009, 08:48

If no-one can suggest a decent lacquer, I would try enamel paint (- a mix of more than one colour but mainly black or better, mix up some "off black" and with some brown and light brown) and then coat with clear nail varnish. It may need two coats of the varnish. You can get black nail varnish (they tell me) but that would be too black and too solid looking)

I used a similar approach on my son''s chipped guitar and he was quite happy though that doesn't get the friction wear this wheel might. However, try a test run on say, a piece of old copper pipe and see how you do. Mask off the area with tape first - it is too easy to get carried away and end up extending the blemish that you are trying to hide.

StevenWilliams · 3rd February 2009, 10:18

Thanks for that. I'm going to give the stuff Mel Dawson used a go to see if that akes the leather look better.

I've looked more closely at the wood and I'm wondering if standard car laquer (clearcoat) would work.

Rob75 · 3rd February 2009, 18:30

The chap you want to speak to is Bigruss, he did a simalar restoration job on the wood leather steeing wheel on his tourer.

Send him a PM just incase he misses this thread, i'm sure he wont mind.

2nd February 2009, 21:28	#1
StevenWilliams This is my second home Rover 75 Saloon 2.5 V6 British Racing Green. 81,000 miles and counting Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Crawley, West Sussex Posts: 6,183 Thanks: 0 Thanked 2 Times in 2 Posts	How to recondition a walnut steering wheel? I need some advice. I have a walnut and sandstone steering wheel that I purchased for £30 from a breakers. The problem is the leather is not in the best condition and it has a slight chip on the laquer. I'm looking for advice on how to re-colour and finish the leather and what laquer to use to fill the chip. Due to a recent redundancy I don't want to spend a load of money doing this. I've heard that you can re-paint the leather but I wouldn't know what products to buy. all help is appreciated and I'll post pictures as the work progresses. __________________ [SIGPIC][/SIGPIC] Rover 75 2.5 2000 Club SE. British Racing Green. MEMBER NUMBER: MMMDCCXXVI Looking for: 7 seater

3rd February 2009, 06:37	#2
Dave*t Gets stuck in MG ZT+ 180 SE** Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Birmingham Posts: 646 Thanks: 0 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	Not sure about the wood, but for the leather I've seen some good results on seats from using liquid leather scuff master. A quick google should yield the info. Don't know how it'd work on a higher friction area like a steering wheel but when used right it's very effective stuff. __________________ [SIGPIC][/SIGPIC]

3rd February 2009, 08:48	#4
Bartonrover Gets stuck in Rover 75 CDT & V6 saloons in Wedgwood Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: North Norfolk Posts: 782 Thanks: 2 Thanked 4 Times in 3 Posts	If no-one can suggest a decent lacquer, I would try enamel paint (- a mix of more than one colour but mainly black or better, mix up some "off black" and with some brown and light brown) and then coat with clear nail varnish. It may need two coats of the varnish. You can get black nail varnish (they tell me) but that would be too black and too solid looking) I used a similar approach on my son''s chipped guitar and he was quite happy though that doesn't get the friction wear this wheel might. However, try a test run on say, a piece of old copper pipe and see how you do. Mask off the area with tape first - it is too easy to get carried away and end up extending the blemish that you are trying to hide. __________________ http://www.the75andztclub.co.uk/foru...7ef19087b7.gif

3rd February 2009, 10:18	#5
StevenWilliams This is my second home Rover 75 Saloon 2.5 V6 British Racing Green. 81,000 miles and counting Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Crawley, West Sussex Posts: 6,183 Thanks: 0 Thanked 2 Times in 2 Posts	Thanks for that. I'm going to give the stuff Mel Dawson used a go to see if that akes the leather look better. I've looked more closely at the wood and I'm wondering if standard car laquer (clearcoat) would work. __________________ [SIGPIC][/SIGPIC] Rover 75 2.5 2000 Club SE. British Racing Green. MEMBER NUMBER: MMMDCCXXVI Looking for: 7 seater

3rd February 2009, 18:30	#6
Rob75 Gets stuck in Jaguar Join Date: May 2008 Location: wellington, somerset Posts: 905 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	The chap you want to speak to is Bigruss, he did a simalar restoration job on the wood leather steeing wheel on his tourer. Send him a PM just incase he misses this thread, i'm sure he wont mind. __________________ [SIGPIC][/SIGPIC]

3rd February 2009, 06:48	#3
Mel Dawson Passed Away 2004 facelift saloon cdti se connoisser Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Brixham Posts: 765 Thanks: 88 Thanked 22 Times in 17 Posts	Hi Steve, I used leather dye from [email protected] it cost me £18.30inc p&p he does all rover colours & it makes a very good job of it (i did mine about 3 months ago & its still like new). Cheers Mel:lol: