steering wheel 'leather'

[rhauptschein]

Any specific suggestions to fix up the steering wheel leather? The steering wheel got a bit dried out and rough when we moved the car from the northeast to southern california; it is not as pleasant to grip now.

[JRL]

Needs to be professionally restored, nothing you can do

[stupidloose]

I don't kknow the cost to have one redone, But IPD sells a nice leather skin cover that comes in matching interior colors. http://www.ipdusa.com/products/7076/109489-steering-wheel-cover-black

[JRL]

My cost is from 50 to $75 depending on how badly thrashed the wheel is.
When I bought this XC the wheel was DESTROYED. This picture is the "after" picture!

http://i732.photobucket.com/albums/ww329/JRL1194/1999V70XCBLACKTANNEWSTEERINGWHEELdocx.jpg

[tolian2]

That's a great price for you (and you only, most likely).
BTW, do you know what product your guy uses to restore it like that.

[Astro14]

I have installed the "Wheelskinz" that IPD sells on both the XC and the 4 Runner. It's an easy DIY, and the feel is great. Looks good on the XC, the color matched very closely (looks good on the 4R too...).

IF you don't have access to a guy like JRL, the Wheelskinz are a good product.

Lexol is my choice for leather care - most auto parts stores carry it...

[JRL]

That's a great price for you (and you only, most likely).
BTW, do you know what product your guy uses to restore it like that.

It's a leather dye but the process he uses to restore the wheel before painting/dying is tricky.
You don't just spray, it would look awful

[stupidloose]

It's a leather dye but the process he uses to restore the wheel before painting/dying is tricky.
You don't just spray, it would look awful

JRL, Can this same process be used on seats?

[JRL]

You can see part of the seat in that picture, same refinishing process