Painting a car steering wheel: what and how to paint it? Steering wheel reupholstery

Restoring a car's steering wheel is often simply a necessary procedure. This is due to the fact that with constant contact of the driver with this part, the steering wheel coating wears out, scratches, stains and abrasions appear, all this makes the driving process itself less comfortable, and significantly spoils the appearance of the car interior. To solve this problem, drivers use four approaches:

buying a new part and installing it in place of the old one. A very expensive undertaking, and often it is not a justifiable waste of money, especially if the steering wheel is working properly.
calling a car repair shop for help. In this case, in addition to the consumables themselves, you will also pay a substantial amount for the provision of services.
put the cover on the steering wheel. Not a bad budget option, but many drivers don’t like the fact that the thickness of the coverage increases and driving becomes less comfortable.
painting a car steering wheel with your own hands, for example in a garage. This is a budget solution; to implement it you will need to buy materials to restore the coating and spend several hours of your time. In fact, there is nothing complicated in this whole procedure, and you will be able to cope with this task.

How to choose paint and consumables?

If you decide to restore the steering wheel yourself, then you will need materials to restore and paint this part. It is important to understand that the choice will depend on the budget that you are willing to spend on this procedure. For example, there are both “folk” paint options and professional solutions. The simplest option for painting a leather steering wheel is the most common leather restorer, which can be bought at almost any auto store. But the main disadvantage of using this product is its fragility. A layer of such a coating quickly wears off during intensive use of the vehicle, and if you bought a budget version of the restorer, then you are not insured against traces of paint on your hands, which is also an unpleasant moment.

Another budget solution is to apply leather creams, which are sold for painting jackets and shoes. These products do not belong to the class of auto cosmetics, so they will also wear off quickly and may leave marks on your hands. This also includes nail polishes, which you can use to touch up scratches and chips on the steering wheel.

The best solution would be to select professional paint for painting the steering wheel of a car, as well as restoration products. These include liquid leather, which is used to restore various mechanical damage and complete wear of the coating on the steering wheel, paint for automobile leather, conditioners that smooth the material and polishes to eliminate scratches and unevenness on the surface of the part. There are also products for removing grease stains from the skin, which in any case are formed when hands come into contact with the coating.

If you want to get a matte look at the end of the steering wheel, then special matte coatings are used for the final layer of paint, which eliminate gloss.

When choosing paint, take into account the type of leather on the steering wheel. In vegetable or combined tanning of leather, dyes with a soft composition are used; in chrome tanning, harder and denser compositions of applied materials are used.

Here is a list of materials that will be needed for work:

masking tape and protective film.
absorbent for removing sweat stains.
sanding paper.
degreaser.
liquid skin.
paint for car leather.
scotch-brite.

There are also ready-made kits for painting steering wheels on the market, which can be purchased at auto markets.

Preparing the surface

If you are not an experienced craftsman, we do not recommend removing the steering wheel yourself, as you may damage the wiring or fasteners, which will subsequently require additional financial investments. It is better to work carefully right in the salon, but at the same time having previously prepared the work area. To do this, use masking tape and film to cover all nearby surfaces, such as the instrument panel, windshield, buttons on the steering wheel, etc. We leave only the section of the steering wheel that we will paint.

Before painting the leather on the steering wheel, you need to carry out restoration work, and this technology consists of several basic steps.

Grinding. Using P400 - P600 sandpaper, we sand the surface and remove all small scratches and chips. If there is a lot of such damage, then we clean the steering wheel completely.
Now we take paper of grade P1000 - P1500 and completely matte the surface in order to increase the adhesion of the surface to the applied materials. You can also use Scotch Brite for this task.
If there are grease stains on the steering wheel, they can be removed using an absorbent.
Now we restore the leather covering using liquid leather. It is applied to the damaged areas, wait until it dries and then sand with fine-grained sandpaper until a uniform surface is obtained. Also, in addition to liquid leather, putty pastes are also used, after which they are also sanded.
All wrinkled areas of the skin are treated with conditioner and polish.
Degreasing the part.

When degreasing the coating, it is important not to take a lot of material, as the skin may wrinkle. It is important to apply a degreaser and immediately begin applying paint, do not wait until the surface dries.

Apply paint

The technology for painting a leather car steering wheel can be in two formats:

Using an aerosol can. But in this case, you will need to cover almost the entire interior with film so that paint does not get anywhere, and you will have to spend a long time and need to scrub it off with a solvent.
Use a brush and paint from a can. In this case, it will be more comfortable to work, and you will be able to completely control the consumption of material.

Apply paint to the steering wheel in several layers and do not wait for complete drying in between, but apply the material “wet”. The entire painting process will take about 30 minutes. As a finishing layer, you can use a product to give a matte effect if you are not satisfied with gloss.

What about the plastic and wooden inserts on the steering wheel?

If your car has a plastic steering wheel, then the approach is similar, but there are a few differences. This concerns primarily the preparation for painting the plastic steering wheel. You will also need to sand the surface with sandpaper and degrease it, but for degreasing they use either anti-silicone or alcohol, and in no case acetone, it corrodes this material.

They paint the plastic in several layers, then often apply a matte finish. But when repairing this type of steering wheel, the paintwork does not last long and with intensive use of the car, it begins to lose its appearance and deteriorate. A good leather case may be the solution here.

If we talk about wooden inserts, they usually serve well, but there are minor scratches from rings or other mechanical damage. They can be removed by polishing, and deeper scratches can be carefully filled with clear nail polish.

Driving care

It is important not only to restore the coating on the steering wheel, but also to properly care for this part, then it will serve you for a long time and will delight you with its appearance. First of all, you need to constantly wipe the steering wheel and hands with napkins to avoid the formation of greasy stains, which will then be difficult to remove. The second is to use car leather care products, or simply dilute body detergent in water and wipe the surface with a rag. To do this, apply restorative agents to the steering wheel, wait 10–15 minutes and then wash them off with a rag. This approach will ensure a longer service life of the steering wheel coating.

Manufacturers of modern cars take care of the person behind the wheel. The steering wheel of today's cars is completely different from what it was twenty years ago. This is a comfortable, pleasant-to-touch product that can be held securely in your hands. But after five or seven years of use, it becomes smooth, worn out, slippery. This means it’s time to install a leather car steering wheel and paint it yourself.

How to restore a leather steering wheel with your own hands?

For a comfortable and safe ride in a car, it is important for the driver to have a comfortable seat, a spacious interior and a reliable steering wheel. The leather interior gives prestige and respectability to the vehicle, and emphasizes the high status of the owner. The leather-wrapped steering wheel plays a special role. It is convenient and pleasant to feel the natural material in your hands while operating. This brings additional pleasure and ensures safety. But no matter how thrifty the owner is, no matter how carefully he treats his own vehicle, over time the steering wheel braid loses its original appearance.

Preservation of the leather interior of a new car

Protective preservative compounds are applied to a perfectly clean skin surface. Even new cars always have subtle greasy stains on their seat upholstery and decorative elements. If fats and other dirt are not completely removed, they will prevent the protective composition from being evenly absorbed into the skin. This means that individual pieces of finishing will be less protected. Eventually, over time, these areas will show signs of uneven wear and discoloration.

Therefore, leather interiors, even in new cars, require high-quality dry cleaning before preservation. Only professional cleaning products penetrate the skin and make it impeccably clean.

Ways to eliminate defects on the steering wheel

Wear of the coating and loss of the original appearance of the braid require the elimination of emerging deficiencies. These include: the appearance of stains, small cracks, abrasions, scratches. If large holes or torn pieces are visible on the surface, restoring the leather on the steering wheel becomes problematic. In this case, it is better to use the services of a specialized studio to make a new reupholstery. For minor defects, the steering wheel coating can be restored in the following ways:

Use the services of a car repair shop. This option will require considerable financial costs. You will need to pay for the material and services provided.
Put a cover on the old covering, which will create some inconvenience for the driver. A thicker steering wheel will increase the volume of coverage, making it more difficult to control the car.
The most reliable and budget-friendly way to eliminate defects is to restore the leather steering wheel yourself, which will require several hours of labor and a small financial investment in the purchase of materials.

Even a beginner who does not have the appropriate skills can cope with this task. This simple procedure can be performed in your garage with careful preparation.

Aftercare

Someone might think that taking care of the steering wheel is far from the most important thing in car care. But in addition to the untidy appearance of the interior, other problems arise: drivers with allergies can react sharply to excess dust that accumulates in the microfolds of the leather covering.

In order for the surface of the steering wheel to remain clean and intact for a long time, it must be properly cared for. It is not enough to wipe your hands with wet wipes before handling the steering wheel: in any case, small grease stains will remain on the coating, which will become more noticeable over time. To thoroughly clean the surface, regularly use special products for car leather care. If desired, this product can be replaced with a regular solution of water and car shampoo. To remove dirt, apply a small amount of product to its surface, wait 10-15 minutes, and then wipe thoroughly with a soft cloth. This process will take you no more than 20 minutes.

regularly clean the surface of the steering wheel from dirt

If you wear rings, they may leave scratches on the leather surface. There are two options: either remove the metal decorations, or repeat the steering wheel restoration process as necessary.

Even if you purchase the most expensive and high-quality products for restoring the steering wheel coating, the amount spent will be several times less than when going to a car repair shop. Restoring and painting the steering wheel is far from the most difficult process in car care. To get the job done quickly and efficiently, follow our instructions exactly.

buying a new part and installing it in place of the old one. A very expensive undertaking, and often it is not a justifiable waste of money, especially if the steering wheel is working properly.
calling a car repair shop for help. In this case, in addition to the consumables themselves, you will also pay a substantial amount for the provision of services.
put the cover on the steering wheel. Not a bad budget option, but many drivers don’t like the fact that the thickness of the coverage increases and driving becomes less comfortable.
painting a car steering wheel with your own hands, for example in a garage. This is a budget solution; to implement it you will need to buy materials to restore the coating and spend several hours of your time. In fact, there is nothing complicated in this whole procedure, and you will be able to cope with this task.

How to choose paint and consumables?

Materials for restoration work

To restore attractiveness, protect the coating from the negative influences of the external environment, and extend functionality, you need to purchase everything you need. The rich assortment of auto stores does not limit customers in the choice of products used to care for leather products. Ready-made kits with instructions are sold. You can select each component separately:

Putty or “Liquid Skin”, filling small errors, making them invisible.
Polish that restores the surface.
Cleaning agent.
Degreaser.
Fine and coarse sandpaper.
Special tape for painting work.
Water-based coloring agent.
Spray gun, brush or airbrush.
Foam rubber tampon.

Having collected all the necessary funds, you can begin the first stage of work, which consists of preparing for the main process.

Selection of paints and compositions for skin restoration

Every motorist sooner or later is faced with the need to restore the surface of the steering wheel, especially if the material is leather. It would be quite reasonable to contact a service center to solve the problem, but a more rational way out of the situation is to perform the restoration yourself.

The assortment of auto stores today allows you to choose all kinds of products not only for care, but also for skin restoration. The service life of the coating directly depends on the quality of the components included in such products.

For leather steering wheels, there are cosmetics of higher quality, which are special creams and impregnations for protection. Such products are endowed with expanded functionality, which allows you to remove sweat and fat stains and prevent the formation of new ones.

By the way, to update the surface you do not always have to resort to painting and removing the old coating. Using special creams, you can restore a well-preserved coating. They should be selected according to their characteristics and the presence of the word “reducing agent” in the instructions. The effect of such products is similar to the use of shoe polish. They do not leave marks on the palms, and the cost is affordable.

To obtain a high-quality result, painting should be done with a special paint for leather.

Materials and tools for restoring leather coverings will be needed:

“liquid leather” or leather putty;
polish-reducer;
leather cleaner - gasoline galoshes or white spirit;
masking tape;
paint, preferably water-based;
sandpaper with grit 400, 600, 1000 and 1200 units;
airbrush or spray gun;
foam tampon.

It is worth noting that it is not necessary to dismantle the steering wheel: painting can be done directly inside the car, having previously protected the part of the interior near the control. When choosing paint, you must also take into account the quality of the material. When equipping a car with a steering wheel made of vegetable tanned leather, you should choose soft paints, since the product is characterized by high absorption. If the steering wheel is made of chrome-tanned leather, then the paint composition should be more rigid due to less absorption.

If the steering wheel leather is black, it is enough to purchase standard leather paint. If the steering wheel is a different color (brown, beige), then several base paints will be required to mix and obtain the required shade.

Preparing the work area

To carry out restoration work, it is not necessary to dismantle the steering wheel. This is a labor-intensive process, and it carries the risk of damage to the steering mechanisms if the driver is incompetent. You can get by with protecting the interior by sealing the front panel with plastic film secured with tape. This will prevent paint from contaminating surrounding parts.

In order to properly restore the leather on the steering wheel, without endangering paint on other surfaces, you need to remove the steering wheel without causing damage to the mechanisms. To do this, you need to dismantle it, being careful and adhering to the following sequence:

Disconnect the negative terminal from the battery. This will prevent shorting.
Align the wheels and place the steering wheel in the straight position.
Unscrew the bolts and remove the plugs.
Loosen the steering wheel lining bolts and lift it up.
Disconnect the connectors where the airbag wires are attached using a screwdriver, without touching the airbag capsule.
Mark the location of the steering wheel by placing a mark on it and the main shaft.
Unscrew the nut and remove the steering wheel.
Using a screwdriver, remove the plastic trim and trim from the steering wheel.
Carefully cover non-removable parts with tape.

Restoration of leather on steering wheel

The second stage begins with a thorough inspection and analysis of all damage to the surface of the steering wheel. To do this, you need to wash it well with a soft foam sponge so that all the flaws are visible. Having identified the shortcomings and determined the amount of work, you can begin restoration:

Take P400 or P600 sandpaper and sand the surface.
Go over a second time with fine-grit sandpaper to a matte finish to remove the old paint and increase the adhesion of the new paint to the leather.
Degrease the surface.
Apply “liquid leather” to any defects found.
Apply the reducing agent to the surface, rubbing into the skin. Allow to dry and repeat the procedure (the number of layers depends on the condition of the skin).
Sand the restored surface.

If the coating is not very worn, you may not need paint on the steering wheel after restoration. After removing cracks, dents and scratches, and carefully treating them with “liquid leather”, the steering wheel will acquire an aesthetic appearance. If this does not happen, we proceed to the staining procedure.

How does skin preservation occur?

Clean, undamaged skin of uniform color is subject to treatment with preservative compounds.

Dry cleaning of leather surfaces to be treated with preservatives.
Monitoring the surface condition to identify defects.
Skin restoration (if required, paid separately).
Leather painting (if required, paid separately).
Leather polishing (if required, paid separately).
Treatment of leather with a preservative composition.
Drying the skin.

If at the stage of monitoring the surface condition of leather coverings no defects are identified, then steps 3-5 are not performed. The services listed there are provided for an additional fee.

Leather Star and Pol Star preservatives prevent the skin from absorbing ink, lipstick and other stubborn stains. Traces of them can be easily removed even with ordinary detergent.

Painting leather braid

The selection of paint depends on the quality of the material from which the steering wheel braid is made. If your car's steering wheel is covered with vegetable-tanned leather, it is better to use soft coloring materials. Chrome tanning requires a harsher dye.

Water-based paint is ideal for all types of leather . It is easy to paint a leather steering wheel using any application method. The simplest is painting from an aerosol can. After preparing the surface, the dye is sprayed over the entire surface. In order for the layer to lay down evenly, the can must be kept at a distance.

After the composition has dried, the surface should be polished. The procedure is repeated until the perfect result.

There is an easier way. It’s good if you can use an airbrush, it will help save material and lay down an even layer.

You can carry out the procedure with a brush, swab or sponge. Each subsequent layer is evenly applied to the cleaned and sanded surface, without waiting for final drying. This method is called “wet paint”.

After complete drying, the surface is treated with a matte or glossy fixative. You can use a freshly painted steering wheel after 12-14 hours.

Painting your car's steering wheel this way will provide it with an attractive appearance, good condition and a long service life.

About leather materials

Any car store sells various cosmetic materials for the skin, the label of which will indicate that the product also has a restorative effect. Will this paint last? It all depends on the quality of the components that are included in the composition. The principle of operation of the dye is approximately the same as the action of shoe polish.

But along with these products, there are also better skin products. These are protective impregnations and creams. Thus, these products are able to remove already formed fatty stains and also prevent the appearance of new ones. To smooth out scratches and cracks, use special polishes or conditioners for leather products. Liquid leather is also used for the same purposes. You can also use shoe wax or nail polish.

When choosing paint for leather, you should also consider the quality of the materials. For example, if a car has a steering wheel with a combined or vegetable tanning, then for such a coating it is necessary to purchase soft coloring materials. This is because such skin has higher absorption. If the tanning is chrome, then the absorption is much lower. This means that the steering wheel can be painted with harsher dyes.

Caring for a restored steering wheel

Proper care of the car interior and careful handling of the steering wheel braid will prevent the appearance of unwanted defects on the surface of the steering wheel. But if the steering wheel has lost its ideal original appearance and has ceased to give pleasure when you touch it, you need to rid it of scuffs, cracks and scratches in time. Carry out restoration.

To extend the service life of the restored braid, you need to constantly monitor its condition, clean it from dirt, and treat it with special soft, delicate products: car shampoos, lotions or wet wipes.

Features of steering wheel repair

Steering wheel restoration

Intensive use over time leads to the formation of abrasions, scratches, old dirt and other damage on the braid.
In order to return the steering wheel to good condition, the surface is repaired using professional products from Color Glo International. The steering wheel is thoroughly cleaned of old dirt, and cracks, nicks, irregularities, and dents are treated with professional restoration material, the structure of which is identical to the structure of the leather braid.

The colorist selects a shade of paint that is identical to the original, and the master restorer carefully paints the surface. The paints dry quickly, and 15-20 minutes after painting the steering wheel is mounted in its original place.

Steering wheel reupholstery

In cases where the wear of the braid is significant and restoration is not advisable, or the task is to make a new design or refine the steering wheel, reupholstery is done.
The steering wheel
is reupholstered:

Eco-leather (leatherette);
Genuine leather;
Alcantara;
Combination of leather and Alcantara;
Natural suede.

The work is carried out in our sewing workshop by highly qualified craftsmen from authentic material or chosen by the client. Cutting and sewing is carried out according to a pre-developed design approved by the customer. We offer more than 200 colors and shades of leather and Alcantara, which we receive directly from the manufacturer. Our craftsmen use 4 types of finishing stitches.

Heated steering wheel

Steering wheel heating is performed as a separate service or in combination with steering wheel reupholstery. Heating ensures a comfortable ride in the cold season.

Heated steering wheel

They are installed in two types
depending on your wishes: standard or increased area and power.
After installation in its original location, the technician carefully checks the functionality of the steering wheel heating system.

Steering wheel tuning / Improving steering wheel anatomy

Steering wheel tuning

are developed and produced for individual comfort and taking into account the personal characteristics and wishes of the client.

We follow fashion trends in design and know how to make all sorts of interesting “tricks”, such as course markings.

Inserts on the steering wheel made of wood and carbon fiber will give the car a high status and beauty in the interior.

Repairing the steering wheel after the airbags and curtains have deployed

Our Auto Atelier uses only proven safe technologies and materials. We provide a company guarantee for our work.

How to paint a car steering wheel

First of all, you need to purchase everything you need for painting:

Putty (the ideal choice is liquid leather. It is easy to use and removes cracks well).
Surface degreasing agent (The simplest and cheapest option is white spirit).
Polish (it can be used both after painting or restoration, and for daily care of surfaces in the car).
Sandpaper (fine for polishing and coarser for leveling).
Scotch.
Tassels.
Foam rubber.
Dye.

You can choose different materials for painting, both in composition and price. The paints themselves also come in different types:

Cream paint. Thick in consistency, fills small cracks well. It is used in the absence of putty, but, as practice shows, it does not completely fill the hollow surface).
Leather paint (can be either a special automotive paint or a regular household paint; it is better to give preference to the first option, it is more durable).
Liquid leather (can be used as a base for paint and as an independent material. It all depends on the condition of the skin).

A special nuance when choosing a product is the material from which the steering wheel is made. For example, if it has natural tanned inserts, then you should choose soft paint. This is necessary to avoid damaging the skin due to its high absorption.

If the wheel has a lame tanning, then it is better to purchase a harder paint. It has a rich composition, due to which the coloring result will be higher.

You can go the most budget-friendly route, that is, paint the steering wheel with regular leather paint. It performs the initial task, but the wheel will leave marks on your hands and will quickly return to its previous appearance. If possible, it is better to use professional tools.

They are as easy to use as regular shoe polish. Only the effect will be longer and of higher quality. One such product is liquid skin. It is used to restore the surface of the steering wheel. There are also various polishes that are used to consolidate the result of painting and restoration of the steering wheel.

Surface preparation

First, the surface must be thoroughly sanded, removing remnants of the old coating and increasing the area of contact of the paint with the steering wheel material. You definitely need to get rid of paint that is weak and peeling. The abrasive grain size is selected according to the hardness of the material - numbers P400, P600 can be considered the standard. Preparing the surface directly for painting requires a softer abrasive (gray Scotch-Brite, sandpaper P1000, P1200). After removing the old paint, it may turn out that as a result of cracking of the leather, irregularities that cannot be removed with sandpaper remain on the surface. There are several options for fixing minor scratches:

Leveling - filling the damaged area with leather conditioner from a car and rubbing the softened material with polish.
Puttying – filling a scratch with “liquid leather” or a similar substance, drying, matting.
A budget solution is shoe wax (rough leather), nail polish, cyanoacrylate, and other folk remedies.

Degreasing the surface should not be skipped, but it should be borne in mind that the skin easily absorbs such substances, and you should not fill the freshly sanded surface with white spirit. Wiping should be done with a slightly dampened microfiber cloth. The ideal option is to use leather cleaner as an intermediate step before painting.

Preparatory stage

You can paint the steering wheel without disassembling it. The main thing here is accuracy and compliance with the simplest safety standards. But it will be much more convenient to disconnect it.

Removing the steering wheel

First of all, you need to set the wheel to a straight position. Then:

Remove the terminals from the battery.
Remove the bolts using a socket wrench.
Remove the plugs.
Loosen the cover bolts.
Push the trim up and deactivate the airbags. Do not touch the pillow capsule itself.
Unscrew the nut and remove the steering wheel

Cleaning the leather on the steering wheel

After removing the wheel, you need to clean it. Here you will need sandpaper, the coarsest one. With its help you can achieve a smooth surface. Before using the paper, the steering wheel can be washed with car shampoo.

Main stage: priming and painting

There is the easiest and fastest way to restore a steering wheel. This is spray paint. More painstaking work is done with a brush.

After sanding the steering wheel, degrease the surface so that the paint can be applied more evenly. There is no need to use too much product, as there is a danger of drying out the skin.

Then use putty or liquid leather. Used for deep cracks. Afterwards paint is applied. This is done in several layers. Usually at least 4 layers are made. There is no need to wait for each to dry completely.

The paint for the steering wheel is water-based. After complete drying, the surface is polished and a special agent is applied that secures the properties of the paint. These manipulations will help return the steering wheel to an almost new look.

If the steering wheel is slightly worn, you can exclude painting from the list. That is:

Wash the wheel.
Degrease.
Putty (if necessary).
Apply a special leather restorer. After each rubbing, you need to dry the steering wheel.
Sand.

To keep your steering wheel looking like new longer, you need to take care of it. These are the basic rules that will help prolong the effect after coloring:

Wipe the surface with napkins
Use only delicate fabrics and specialized automotive products.

In addition to daily care, you should wash your steering wheel with a sponge soaked in car shampoo. After wiping with a rag, you can use polish. There are matte and glossy products. The mat will give the steering wheel a more natural look.

With proper and regular care, the steering wheel will look clean and grease-free.

Painting a leather steering wheel

To cover the steering wheel, it is best to use water-based paints, especially since they are great for any skin type and are easier to work with. On average, about 20–30 grams of paint is spent on painting a steering wheel, if the color is selected independently.

If possible, it is better to use an airbrush, since the tool will not only save paint, but also apply an even layer. One of the most affordable coloring options is the use of leather paint in cans, which is applied in several layers with interlayer drying.

In extreme cases, you can use a foam swab. It is best to apply paint in several layers (2-3). As a rule, the subsequent layer is applied immediately, which will ensure control of paint absorption into the material.

After painting, you need to apply a protective layer of varnish (matte or glossy). This coating will keep the surface in good condition for a longer time. In terms of time, the recovery process takes about 5–6 hours. In fact, the work is not labor-intensive, but it requires accuracy and attention, and there is no need to rush. If paint gets on the glass, you can carefully remove it with solvent No. 646.

Restoring the leather on the steering wheel or how to paint it. Details + video

This is probably a problem with all leather steering wheels; sooner or later they begin to peel off. Not the physical skin, but the paint on its surface. And you start to have telltale bald spots that are really annoying! DAMN, why take a “leather steering wheel” if in a year or two it will peel off like a “torn cat.” I would take plastic and drive for an endlessly long time! OKAY - sadness, there is a car, there is a “hearth”, something needs to be done. Is it possible to somehow paint or restore this place? Let's find out...

THE CONTENT OF THE ARTICLE

To be honest, guys, I also had such a problem on my steering wheel, it was simply wear and tear on the rear edge of the leather surface. It looks annoying, especially if you are selling a car - it is very noticeable. What remains needs to be painted or restored. Although for myself personally, I see three solutions to the problem. That’s exactly what we’ll talk about today...

New case

What can I say, this is the simplest, but also the most “collective farm” method of surface restoration. Now I don’t want to offend anyone, some drivers can make a really beautiful braid , which is often bought in Chinese stores. It is simply stretched and sheathed with special threads; in fact, the entire restoration ends there. That is, the abrasion is located under this braid. This is the cheapest way, I have friends who ordered leather cases for only 200 - 500 rubles.

It’s more difficult when all the steering wheel skin is removed, that is, the seams are physically cut and the standard braid is removed. Then a new one, made of fresh leather, is installed in its place. Not everyone can do this, and often there is simply no reason to! After all, you need very strong damage to the surface (a cut or deep abrasion), then it makes sense. Yes, and special companies are engaged in such restoration; you are unlikely to do it yourself; it will be “a bit complicated.”

However, this method of restoration is worth noting; after all, usually a new cheap case saves the situation.

There is another method, more correct, you need to follow this path.

Painting and priming the leather on the steering wheel

If you do not have any damage that is deeply embedded in the surface, you can paint and prime it yourself. This is the most effective method for abrasions from 3 to 5 years. I have several friends who did everything with their own hands and it turned out impressive!

What we need, firstly, a special set, it includes:

Degreaser
Paint, usually water-based
Finish matte coating
Sometimes the morning is a strong degreaser
Also an ultra-strong cleanser
Putty paste (in advanced cases)
“Stitcher”, a property that tightly binds the putty and the top layer of paint

Personally, I have seen all this in many kits in stores to restore the surface of the steering wheel leather. But often you just need a "degreaser", paint and a matte finish.

That's all. Let's look at the restoration process itself - painting.

Recovery process

What I would like to note before the process is that you definitely need to buy masking tape and a large cellophane to close the interior, otherwise the paint will settle in the interior, which is not what we need.

We cover those parts that do not need restoration, usually these are wooden inserts or central plastic elements. We “wrap” the front panel and the seats in cellophane.

We clean the damaged surfaces with fine sandpaper. Not much, usually until white skin appears.

We degrease the steering wheel and apply a special compound that should remove all greasy elements. If it is not enough, you need to use stronger formulations (morning remedy). After this, we wipe the steering wheel so that there is no dirt or any other grease left.

Then, if there are deep damages, they can be repaired with a special primer.

After this, we apply a layer of paint, simply spray it from a spray can. Apply with “short” movements; you don’t need to stop for a long time at one point, because it will flow.

After it dries, about 30 - 40 minutes, you need to cover it with a matte finish. This is what will fix the paint layer.
If you used a primer, then you need to apply a layer of “crosslinker” before painting. It will fix the primer and prevent it from falling apart.

As you can see, painting and restoring the leather on the steering wheel is nothing complicated, it literally takes a couple of hours. One more warning, it is advisable to carry out all work in a closed box so that dust does not fall on the surface to be painted.

Now let's watch a short video.

This concludes the article, read our AUTOBLOG.

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Selection of paints and compositions for skin restoration

The assortment of auto stores today allows you to choose all kinds of products not only for care, but also for skin restoration. The service life of the coating directly depends on the quality of the components included in such products.

Materials and tools for restoring leather coverings will be needed:

“liquid leather” or leather putty;
polish-reducer;
leather cleaner - gasoline galoshes or white spirit;
masking tape;
paint, preferably water-based;
sandpaper with grit 400, 600, 1000 and 1200 units;
airbrush or spray gun;
foam tampon.

Painting such a steering wheel will require not only the availability of suitable paint in two colors, but also special care

How to update a leather steering wheel with your own hands and care for the leather braid

Every driver sooner or later has to deal with such a problem as wear of the steering wheel surface and the loss of the original appearance of the material, especially if this material is leather. A reasonable solution in this case may be to restore the steering wheel in a specialized workshop. But what if you don’t want to overpay for such services and would like to know how to clean and paint a leather steering wheel with your own hands so that you can carry out restoration work in your own garage? This approach to solving the issue is perhaps more rational, and its implementation is accessible to every car enthusiast. You just need to have free time, read this article and prepare everything you need for work.

No matter how clean your hands are while driving, your steering wheel cover will still need to be cleaned over time. You can extend the life of a leather surface, as well as delay the need for restoration and painting, with proper care and timely removal of contaminants. And yet, sooner or later, the number of abrasions and scratches will increase so much that drastic restoration measures will become the only correct solution. We will further describe in detail how to care for the leather braid and how to restore the previous appearance of the steering wheel with your own hands.

These technicians will work on your car.

Alexander, master technologist. Specializes in polishing and dry cleaning, performs local paintwork repairs and ceramic treatment of vehicles, restores chips, installs anti-gravel protection, and is responsible for repairing and painting leather. Working in her specialty since 2020.

A true professional who knows his business very well and understands his responsibility to the client. Alexander does his job flawlessly because he studied detailing from the best masters in the industry. He is responsible, always collected, instantly concentrates on the task and therefore always completes even the smallest task immaculately correctly and with excellent results. A pleasant person to talk to, always ready to help even strangers.

Ilya, anti-gravel protection installation specialist. Specializes in the installation of premium anti-gravel films, engages in leather restoration, dry cleaning, and restoration of electrical equipment. Experience in the field of professional detailing - since 2017.

He perceives every task as a challenge from fate, so he completes even complex, time-consuming tasks with passion and diligence. Loves non-standard positions and always comes out of them beautifully. Always acts based on the interests of the client. Ilya is always cool, calm, and calculating, so he always measures seven times before cutting once. He gets along well with his colleagues and is respected by the firm's regular clients.

Proper care of a leather steering wheel

At some point, did you notice that the steering wheel of your car has lost its appearance, which is why the driving process has become less pleasant? In this case, appropriate measures must be taken. For example, you can restore the surface of the steering wheel to its original condition and maintain it in this form through proper and timely maintenance.

If the leather covering is very well preserved, but its appearance is somewhat damaged, then in the process of restoring it, you can limit yourself to the use of special cleaning compounds. It is quite easy to recognize a leather surface cleaner when purchasing it at a car cosmetics store: the packaging usually says “leather cleaner” (or something similar) and provides instructions on how to clean the leather steering wheel from dirt using it. You may also need a toothbrush and a clean, soft cloth.

Most leather steering wheel cleaners have similar properties, so the following list of steps can be used as a general guide:

First, spray the product onto the surface to be treated.
Wait a few minutes - during this time the liquid will dissolve the contaminants.
Now you should wipe the surface with a cloth and spray the product again.
Next, using a toothbrush, you need to clean all hard-to-reach places from dirt.
Finally, dry the steering wheel with a clean cloth.

Using a cleaning product and a dry cloth, you will quickly remove dirt from the steering wheel and braid.
After cleaning, it is advisable to treat the coating with a special impregnation and conditioner. The first product prevents the destruction of the skin under the influence of sweat, dirt and other aggressive factors, and the second one ensures the elasticity of the material for a long time. Although you can purchase a cleaning composition that contains the necessary protective components.

For those car owners who are not ready to spend extra money on buying cleaning products in the store, a good alternative would be to prepare the composition yourself. For this, warm water and car wash shampoo dissolved in it are suitable ingredients. Just be careful not to add too much shampoo so that the surface of the steering wheel becomes sticky after treatment. This solution should be used in the same way as caring for a leather steering wheel using store-bought products.

During routine maintenance, it is not necessary to remove the steering wheel. You just need to prevent liquid from getting on the spokes, steering wheel buttons and dashboard. For protection, use plastic film, securing it with tape.

Restoring a leather steering wheel by painting

By properly caring for your steering wheel braid, you can significantly extend its service life. But even in this case, over time, scuffs and small scratches appear on the surface, which do not have the best effect on the appearance of the steering wheel and, as a result, the aesthetics of the car’s interior as a whole. Therefore, drivers quite reasonably ask the question: how to restore a leather steering wheel with your own hands if ordinary preventive measures are not enough? This will be discussed further.

You can hide defects in the coating using coloring agents.

Painting a leather steering wheel can also be done at home - there is nothing overly complicated here. You just need to select the appropriate materials and follow the recommendations. By the way, if you do not want to dismantle your steering wheel during restoration, all procedures can be carried out right on the spot. Just take care to protect the instrument panel from paint. Still, it is much more convenient to work with the steering wheel removed, plus the result will be of better quality.

Preparing for painting

Before you begin painting work, you need to prepare the surface. To do this, you will have to buy a kit in a specialized store designed for restoring leather products. If you don’t have such a set, you can purchase each component separately, and we’ll tell you what to do with it and how to clean a leather car steering wheel below.

So, in the process of preparatory work you will need:

polish-reducer;
leather cleaner (white spirit or Galosh gasoline);
several types of sandpaper with different grits: 400, 600, 1000 and 1200 units;
putty for leather (“liquid” leather);

Surface restoration begins with sanding to remove dirt, grease and old paint residues. In addition, this way you will improve the adhesion of the fresh paint composition. First, use P400 or P600 sandpaper to remove the top layer of paint. After this, the leather must be sanded using fine-grained sandpaper (P1000 or P1200).

The next step is puttying. To do this, many specialists and car enthusiasts prefer to use “liquid” leather, although you can hide dents and scratches with a special putty, purchasing it at any place where car cosmetics are sold. Very minor flaws are hidden with the help of a restorative polish. After treatment of the damaged areas is completed, wait 20 minutes and sand the surface where the restoration composition was applied.

Then you need to degrease the surface with white spirit (or another cleaning agent), but keep in mind that after treatment with sandpaper, the skin begins to intensively absorb any cleaning composition. Therefore, wipe the steering wheel with a clean rag. The final stage of preparation is to protect the steering wheel spokes and the buttons located on it from paint particles, using the same plastic film and tape. Now you can proceed directly to painting work.

Painting the leather steering wheel

Before you paint a leather steering wheel with your own hands, you should decide on the type of paint to use. Which composition is best? According to experts, it is advisable to use water-based paint intended for leather - it is suitable for all leather surfaces. To paint one steering wheel, as a rule, no more than 20–30 grams of prepared paint are consumed. As for the shade, it can be selected by mixing different colors.

Cover other surfaces, such as the horn button

You can apply paint to leather using a foam pad. But if you have an airbrush, then its use is more preferable, since in this case the paint will lay down in an even layer and will be used more economically. It is better to apply 2-3 layers of paint, and you should not wait for the previous layer to dry - apply the next one immediately. This method of painting is called “wet” and allows you to control the process of paint absorption into the skin. Upon completion of the painting work, it would be useful to apply a layer of varnish, which will ensure the preservation of the surface of the leather steering wheel for much longer.

The approximate time it will take to restore the steering wheel of your car is about 5–6 hours. Despite the fact that the work is not difficult, do not rush, and be careful when performing each stage. And it’s also better not to skimp on quality paint and a good restoration kit.

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Comments 120

I did the same thing, everything holds up perfectly.

I need to redo it already)))) 2 years and it’s worn out again))) but the mileage during this time is either 31 thousand)))))

I did the same operation with the steering wheel and automatic transmission knob, only degreased it with acetone. It turned out beautifully, I applied it in two layers. I found liquid leather in a regular store. The issue price is about 500 rubles. I hope it lasts for a long time

2 years for sure, I already need to do it again☺☺

or places where the lacing should not be touched at all?)))

The stitching was painted along with the leather, just don’t overdo it with sandpaper in these places

and the line is not covered with the composition, ? or is removed from it after the procedure

I smeared everything, honestly didn’t pay attention to the line, but if the cream has dried, it can’t be removed without mechanical or chemical intervention

It’s finished!) and I did it. It turned out as described. Next time I will buy more and not skimp on the cream (preferably three layers. Thanks for your help!