How to recondition a walnut steering wheel? - Page 2

StevenWilliams · 15th February 2009, 18:45

I have now started to recondition the leather on the wheel. It's a multi step process so I will post pictures at each stage.

The following pictures are after a thorough clean with white spirit and single coat of leather colour.

The leather looks a little lighter than in the other pictures but trust me it's the same. In fact I have only put the leather re-colour on the affected areas and the main leather had not been touched.

I was quite suprised how much a single coat has done.

StevenWilliams · 15th February 2009, 18:49

I left the first coat dry and then applied a second coat. I'm getting more impressed with each use.

I have a little spillage as I was not steady enogh with the brush I used but still. It's starting to look quite good.

StevenWilliams · 15th February 2009, 18:50

If you look at what I started with compared to now I think you'll agree it is quite suprising how good this stuff I'm using is.

Before

After

Phil · 15th February 2009, 18:51

That is looking very good!

StevenWilliams · 15th February 2009, 19:06

Quote:

Originally Posted by Phil

That is looking very good!

Thanks.

I want to try and re-smooth the leather where it has been rubbed a lot. At the moment it's a little frayed and does not quite feel the same on the large area. Any ideas?

Phil · 15th February 2009, 19:18

Quote:

Originally Posted by StevenWilliams

Thanks.

I want to try and re-smooth the leather where it has been rubbed a lot. At the moment it's a little frayed and does not quite feel the same on the large area. Any ideas?

Could you shave it??

Mel Dawson · 15th February 2009, 19:40

Hi Steve,
Glad its working o.k, when i used it after 4 or 5 coats it looked like new. I dried mine with a hair dryer between coats to make it quicker.

Cheers Mel:lol:

StevenWilliams · 15th February 2009, 20:04

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mel Dawson

Hi Steve,
Glad its working o.k, when i used it after 4 or 5 coats it looked like new. I dried mine with a hair dryer between coats to make it quicker.

Cheers Mel:lol:

HI, Yes it's working great thanks.. The colour is a perfect match. I'm in no hurry but I did also use a hair dryer to dry the first coat.

I think it will look excellent when finished but i don't think it will feel perfect. I'm tempted to shave it and then use a fine wet and dry to just clean the worst of the 'frayed' edges.

Mel Dawson · 15th February 2009, 20:11

Id be very careful Steve as you may make it worse perhaps try it on the back of it.

Mel

StevenWilliams · 15th February 2009, 21:18

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mel Dawson

Id be very careful Steve as you may make it worse perhaps try it on the back of it.

Mel

I will probably try the wheel out for a few weeks after I've finished this attempt. If I don;t like the feel only then will I get a little more drastic.

The other option is to transplant some leather from a non wood wheel as they are cheap enough.

15th February 2009, 18:45	#11
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	I have now started to recondition the leather on the wheel. It's a multi step process so I will post pictures at each stage. The following pictures are after a thorough clean with white spirit and single coat of leather colour. The leather looks a little lighter than in the other pictures but trust me it's the same. In fact I have only put the leather re-colour on the affected areas and the main leather had not been touched. I was quite suprised how much a single coat has done. __________________ [SIGPIC][/SIGPIC] Rover 75 2.5 2000 Club SE. British Racing Green. MEMBER NUMBER: MMMDCCXXVI Looking for: 7 seater

15th February 2009, 18:49	#12
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	Second Coat of leather colour I left the first coat dry and then applied a second coat. I'm getting more impressed with each use. I have a little spillage as I was not steady enogh with the brush I used but still. It's starting to look quite good. __________________ [SIGPIC][/SIGPIC] Rover 75 2.5 2000 Club SE. British Racing Green. MEMBER NUMBER: MMMDCCXXVI Looking for: 7 seater

15th February 2009, 18:50	#13
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	Looking at the progress If you look at what I started with compared to now I think you'll agree it is quite suprising how good this stuff I'm using is. Before After __________________ [SIGPIC][/SIGPIC] Rover 75 2.5 2000 Club SE. British Racing Green. MEMBER NUMBER: MMMDCCXXVI Looking for: 7 seater

15th February 2009, 18:51	#14
Phil This is my second home Rover 75 CDT Connoisseur SE Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Wales Posts: 12,227 Thanks: 469 Thanked 523 Times in 241 Posts	That is looking very good! __________________

15th February 2009, 19:40	#17
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, Glad its working o.k, when i used it after 4 or 5 coats it looked like new. I dried mine with a hair dryer between coats to make it quicker. Cheers Mel:lol: Last edited by Mel Dawson; 15th February 2009 at 19:42.. Reason: misspelling

15th February 2009, 20:11	#19
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	Id be very careful Steve as you may make it worse perhaps try it on the back of it. Mel