How to recondition a walnut steering wheel?

[StevenWilliams]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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.

[BigRuss]

Just spotted this thread.

The problem that you have is that the original laquer used is tinted finding a match could be difficult.

I repaired the a chip in my tourer's walnut by using water based acrylic paint.
Colours used were Black, Burnt Umber and Burnt Sienna. they were applied thickly and at the same time without mixing too much to match the figuring in the walnut.

This was left to harden fully in a warm place then using very fine production paper smoothed to match the profile of the wheel. the whole walnut section was then lightly rubbed down and cleaned with thinners.

Normal clear acrylic automotive spray laquer was then used to restore the high gloss finish.

Hope this helps

Russ

[StevenWilliams]

Thanks. I've already started with some nail varnish topcoat from the misses and I have some pics. The stuff is essentially a laquer and sets like steel.

The first two are of the first coat.





And the next two are after two coats





I think it will look OK when finished.

I'm intentionally adding a little to much and it will need filing back later onde it hardens.

[StevenWilliams]

While the lacquer dries I thought I'd start to clean the bare leather.

I started by using a little white spirit and isopropinol alcohol. I don’t want to use to much just in case it damages the leather but I think this should be enough ready for the re-colouring.

[Jules]

Good thread Steve
BTW have you noticed the "Gap" between wood & leather.
Its very small on yours & other early Steering wheels.

If you check out later ones especially the Facelifted versions with Light Oak,
the Gap is enormous