Steering wheel renovation project.

After my success, repairing a leather and wood steering wheel, I took-on another in the hope of another win...

I bought a wheel, for a good price, from Munster who told me it was in need of some TLC and thought "no problem".
He wasn't fibbing...
http://i1100.photobucket.com/albums/...l/IMAG0724.jpg

http://i1100.photobucket.com/albums/...l/IMAG0725.jpg

So, I'm quite confident I can sort the chips and scratches and, at first, the leather looked ok...
http://i1100.photobucket.com/albums/...l/IMAG0721.jpg

http://i1100.photobucket.com/albums/...l/IMAG0720.jpg

http://i1100.photobucket.com/albums/...l/IMAG0719.jpg

But, after a good clean, I could see the real effect of 14 years of use...

http://i1100.photobucket.com/albums/...l/DSCF9493.jpg

http://i1100.photobucket.com/albums/...l/DSCF9492.jpg

I'm gonna have to learn how to fix leather...

I've been doing some research on leather renovation and think I can get some results here but more on that later, when I can get hold of some equipment I don't already have.

First thing's first... fill the chips and scratches...

Because there's some big chunks missing, I'll need to use more than one colour to do the job. Once again I'm using a mixture of acrylic paint and epoxy resin...
http://i1100.photobucket.com/albums/...l/DSCF9495.jpg

On with the job...

http://i1100.photobucket.com/albums/...l/DSCF9497.jpg

http://i1100.photobucket.com/albums/...l/DSCF9496.jpg

More to follow... Stay tuned ;)

Ah, you'd know........... what size torx screw are the screws holding the airbag to the steering wheel. The ones behind it?? My garage didnt put my steering wheel on straight and i want to sort that tomrorow

Another great job coming up by the look of it.)

Off the top of my head... I think it's T25. You'll need a torx key or a 2" torx bit in a small adjustable spanner. A standard bit won't get deep enough into the hole to grip the bolt and a driver is too long to get between the steering wheel and the dash/cowl. If you're careful, you can remove the bolts, pop the airbag out and get somebody to hold it out of the way while you use a 19 or 18mm (can't remember which) socket with a 2"extension to undo the main bolt holding the wheel on. That way, you won't need to disconnect the battery and unplug the airbag.
Alternatively, take it back to the garage and get them to do the job properly.
I wouldn't let you drive it away with a wonkey wheel, so a professional outfit shouldn't either.

Typical, im missing the t25 Key in my set. I think i might just get them to do it then. Its just the faff of taking it there and waiting while they do it. You definitely give everything ago dont you.... What do you actually do as a profession if you dont mind me asking

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Rudeyboy18

Typical, im missing the t25 Key in my set. I think i might just get them to do it then. Its just the faff of taking it there and waiting while they do it. You definitely give everything ago dont you.... What do you actually do as a profession if you dont mind me asking

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I work for a large construction firm. I cover environmental spill response, lifting equipment inspection and repair, emergancy breakdown, PPE allocation, stock traceability, work at height equipment inspection, powered access inspection and driving, vehicle banking, loading/unloading of goods, driving various forklifts, small multi-drop deliveries around the country, domestic maintenance, fire equipment inspection, asbestos inspection among other things...

Most of my colligues refer to me as a jobsworth tho. When something works as it should, nobody really notices ;)

Looks a bit worse than the last one, will be interesting to see how you get on with the leather mate.

leather isn't something I've worked with much. i can get it soft, as you know but repairing it should be interesting.

Well done on taking this on! not something id like to try tbh lol.......far to fiddley

Makes me go cross-eyed too lol.
Gripping a cocktail stick (how I apply the resin) can be tricky with my sausage fingers too ;)

How on earth do you "chip" a steering wheel? Unless you grip it really tight and dig your fingernails in?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by bomb192uk

How on earth do you "chip" a steering wheel? Unless you grip it really tight and dig your fingernails in?

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Believe it or not, the wood bit isn't wood. It's a laminated metal insert. After years of sunlight and contaminants from grubby hands (there's a lot of evidence to say previous owner liked the odd choccy bar) causes the wood effect to go brittle, then a quick slap from a hand with a chunky wedding ring will be enough to chip it.


Been making some headway with the leather... Pics later ;)

Quote:

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Originally Posted by M-R-P

Believe it or not, the wood bit isn't wood. It's a laminated metal insert. After years of sunlight and contaminants from grubby hands (there's a lot of evidence to say previous owner liked the odd choccy bar) causes the wood effect to go brittle, then a quick slap from a hand with a chunky wedding ring will be enough to chip it.


Been making some headway with the leather... Pics later ;)

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Ah, I see, didn't think about rings.

Cool, actually my steering wheel leather is degraded somewhat, looking forward to the write up :)