TheSamba.com :: View topic - steering wheel restoration help

Wed Feb 29, 2012 6:12 pm

Just wanted to see if anyone could give me any tips on how to bring back to life a 75-76 scirocco steering wheel I have on my ghia.

This is the wheel (pic is dark but the wheel is a light grey, horn black):

I would like to get it close to being back to this color and texture (minus the wear) if at all possible:

The plastic horn button easily comes back to life with back to black. But the actual rubber on the wheel is a different story. Its worn out and faded grey but not worn to the point where its falling apart, just smooth from use.

Should keep trying leather conditioner to bring back the moisture to the rubber? I first tried back to black and armorall and it pretty much drinks it. I tried a little leather conditioner and it feels a little softer but really hasnt done much. I would like to get it black again if i can like the second pic.

Also, is there a black dye that I could use on it? Someone mentioned that as an option.

Thanks in advance for any help!

Wed Feb 29, 2012 6:17 pm

maybe try and get a whole of some forum that would be totally into wheels,chrome and such...there has to be one around somewhere!!!

Thu Mar 01, 2012 5:51 am

Well depends how much you love that wheel. There is a guy local to me that does killer interior work and can recover steering wheels. He hates doing it, but they look killer when they are done. Also not very cheap.....I think he gets about 2-250 to do a wheel but the work is mindblowing

Thu Mar 01, 2012 9:27 am

I appreciate it but i just want to try to bring the color back because the wheel itself is in great shape. I dont mind it being a bit worn from use, it gives it the vintage feel but i would like to bring the grey back to black. I guess maybe i will keep trying leather cond (put it on, let it dry for a few days, then do it again so it doesnt become too soft). Then maybe after it becomes soft again the back to black might bring back some sheen. Worst case it i could try some dye.

Thu Mar 01, 2012 9:40 am

Leather! 8) or SEM paint?

Thu Mar 01, 2012 10:10 am

whats sem paint? I was using leather cond to try to soften up the rubber on the wheel (i assume its rubber) so it could then take in some back to black. Im not sure what other products i could use on it to bring it back to life. It was pretty brittle when i got it but the more condtioner i use on it the better it feels.

Fri Mar 02, 2012 6:33 am

Someone mentioned this:

http://www.duplicolor.com/products/vinylFabricCoating/

Vinyl dye paint from duplicolor. Is the wheel material vinyl or rubber? Do you think this is worth a shot?