Re-protecting leather on steering wheel

This forum is designated for Detailing discussion...
Forum rules
Please take a look at the rules for posting in the Technical section as all posts will be moderated accordingly...

Technical Section Rules
Post Reply
VAG Fan
Lieutenant
Posts: 1440
Registered for: 8 years
Location: Pretoria

Re-protecting leather on steering wheel

Post by VAG Fan »

On my Mk4, the coating on the leather steering wheel has worn away in the top section (11 to 1 o'clock), and the same thing is starting to happen on the right (3 o'clock).

My old Audi 500 had the same thing many years ago, and shame on me, I never really did anything about it. Over time, the raw leather became more and more brittle, until it started to crack and peel away completely.

I would like to avoid this on my Mk4, while it is hopefully not too late already. Currently, the exposed leather is still mostly intact, but it is starting to show some fine hairline cracks. So I would like to re-protect it, before summer, as I have been "blessed" with sweaty hands. :twisted:

My plan would be to...
... lightly sand or scour the remaining paint / dye / coating
... clean the exposed leather to try and remove as much dirt and sweat salts as possible, to avoid further deterioration
... possibly nourish the exposed leather before it's re-sealed
... re-seal the entire steering wheel with a suitable paint / dye / coating.

The gear shift pouch could do with a similar treatment. It even has a few small holes at the creased points, but if they are re-dyed, they would hardly be noticeable.

Two questions to the detailers:
1) Is this a good work plan?
2) What products could you recommend to do this job? Presumably I would only need a small quantity...

Edit: the sealant would obviously have to be resistant to daily handling, i.e. durable and non-staining. This is my key question. Does such a product exist?
Mark R.
- - - - - - - - - -
2004 VW Golf TDI, type 1J, AHF, 317k (2016-current) --- daily
1990 VW Fox, type 16, HM, 304k (2005-current) --- spare runaround
Previous:
1992 Audi 500 SE, type C4, AAR (2001-2020) --- nice while it lasted
1983 VW Golf GTS, type 17, FR (1992-2005) --- most fun car I've ever had
1978 Audi 100 GLS 5E, type 43, WC (1991-92) --- died in the side of a Rekord who cut me off
- - - - - - - - - -
User avatar
herco
Cadet
Posts: 97
Registered for: 10 years 1 month
Car Make: Audi
Car Model: B8.5 S4
Location: Pretoria

Re: Re-protecting leather on steering wheel

Post by herco »

I am in the same boat!

What did you end up doing?
Current: Audi B8.5 S4 :cool: + V4 Multistrada + KTM 300 tpi

Memorable Ex's:
'16 BMW S1000R -> One of the best bikes out there.
'17 Ducati 1299. An actual beast!
Molten Orange Fiesta ST
E90 320d MSPORT I should've kept this one ///M
'95 Opel Astra tS
'99 Opel 200IS Euro :'(
VAG Fan
Lieutenant
Posts: 1440
Registered for: 8 years
Location: Pretoria

Re: Re-protecting leather on steering wheel

Post by VAG Fan »

Nothing yet. Fortunately, I found the error on my aircon, so that's working again, which means that the steering wheel is getting only a fraction of the sweat that it used to.

But my plan is not to buy another steering wheel (as some here have suggested). Rather, I'm planning on sticking with my original plan as outlined above, if I can find a suitable product. Alternately, I'll contact upholsterers and saddlers and get a quote for re-covering, because the OEM leather is very hard and glossy, not soft and grippy. If I knew more about speciality stitches, I'd even try to do it myself. I suppose there's always a first time.

As always, if I try something, I'll definitely post my feedback here.
Mark R.
- - - - - - - - - -
2004 VW Golf TDI, type 1J, AHF, 317k (2016-current) --- daily
1990 VW Fox, type 16, HM, 304k (2005-current) --- spare runaround
Previous:
1992 Audi 500 SE, type C4, AAR (2001-2020) --- nice while it lasted
1983 VW Golf GTS, type 17, FR (1992-2005) --- most fun car I've ever had
1978 Audi 100 GLS 5E, type 43, WC (1991-92) --- died in the side of a Rekord who cut me off
- - - - - - - - - -
User avatar
Wolf Mk2 16V
Cadet
Posts: 422
Registered for: 9 years 8 months
Location: Randburg

Re: Re-protecting leather on steering wheel

Post by Wolf Mk2 16V »

Try colorglo in Centurion, they seem to work miracles with leather!
2015 VW Golf Gti
1990 Golf GTi 16 Valve Executive
1987 Golf GTS
1993 Citi Golf Designa 1800
2015 VW Move Up!
VAG Fan
Lieutenant
Posts: 1440
Registered for: 8 years
Location: Pretoria

Re: Re-protecting leather on steering wheel

Post by VAG Fan »

Much obliged, will do!
Mark R.
- - - - - - - - - -
2004 VW Golf TDI, type 1J, AHF, 317k (2016-current) --- daily
1990 VW Fox, type 16, HM, 304k (2005-current) --- spare runaround
Previous:
1992 Audi 500 SE, type C4, AAR (2001-2020) --- nice while it lasted
1983 VW Golf GTS, type 17, FR (1992-2005) --- most fun car I've ever had
1978 Audi 100 GLS 5E, type 43, WC (1991-92) --- died in the side of a Rekord who cut me off
- - - - - - - - - -
Post Reply