Nitro187
Viper Owner
This only took me about 10 minutes to do... and that was taking my time as well. It really is quite simple; first to the before and after pictures:
Before (Yeah, I know... pretty bad)
And After
Here are the steps I took:
Stuff you need:
a) Soft sponge brush
b) Paper towels
c) Lint-free microfiber cloth
d) Cream based leather cleaner
e) Leather color restorer (You can get this stuff possibly at a leather specialty store, but online is your best bet by far. I purchased mine on eBay, just search for "Leather Refinish Color Restorer" and you'll see it. Some auctions also come with the cream based leather cleaner as well.
f) Optional: Leather protector
Total cost: $26... but have enough to do at least 40 steering wheels, or other parts. I did my original shift knob, steering wheel, and hand brake handle... and have barely used any at all.
1. Get the car to a well lit area... taking the roof off really helps, but hey, if you have a GTS... then get a really nice light in there so you can see all the imperfections and what not.
2. Mask off the parts you don't want to color... ie. Horn section, etc.
3. Get some fine (1500 - 2000 grit) sand paper, and give the leather a good light scrubbing, to get all the high spots out. Don't worry if more of the color comes off, because you're going to be re-coloring this anyway.
4. Take a damp paper towel and give it a good wipe, to get all the oils off
5. Once it's pretty smooth, take some cream-like leather cleaner (doesn't have to be expensive... but the better the stuff, the less you have to work at it), a micro-fiber cloth (one without lint) and take off all the dirt from the steering wheel. You may need to do this a couple times. Keep doing this, until some of the old color actually comes off on the cloth... you want this to happen.
6. Lastly, get a sponge brush and spread it evenly across the entire surface... keeping in mind that you want an even coat, so watch for drip marks. You will be putting on a 2nd and 3rd coat, so don't worry if the color does not look great on the first coat. This stuff dries quickly, so work fast. Wait about a minute or two between coats... it really doesn't take long to dry.
7. You're done... after you let the steering wheel cure for a day or so, you can apply a leather protector on it to add strength... but I haven't used it, and it has held up very well.
Tip. If you find the coats aren't going on very smooth, use a micro-fiber cloth to apply it instead. The brush has to be a very soft one, that will contour with the steering wheel, not "scrape" along it.
I was able to drive the car 3 minutes after applying my last coat... it dries pretty quick like I said. But try and let the stuff cure for about 12 hours before excessive use.
Hope this helps... if you have any questions, let me know.
Before (Yeah, I know... pretty bad)
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And After
You must be registered for see images attach
You must be registered for see images attach
Here are the steps I took:
Stuff you need:
a) Soft sponge brush
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b) Paper towels
c) Lint-free microfiber cloth
d) Cream based leather cleaner
e) Leather color restorer (You can get this stuff possibly at a leather specialty store, but online is your best bet by far. I purchased mine on eBay, just search for "Leather Refinish Color Restorer" and you'll see it. Some auctions also come with the cream based leather cleaner as well.
f) Optional: Leather protector
Total cost: $26... but have enough to do at least 40 steering wheels, or other parts. I did my original shift knob, steering wheel, and hand brake handle... and have barely used any at all.
1. Get the car to a well lit area... taking the roof off really helps, but hey, if you have a GTS... then get a really nice light in there so you can see all the imperfections and what not.
2. Mask off the parts you don't want to color... ie. Horn section, etc.
3. Get some fine (1500 - 2000 grit) sand paper, and give the leather a good light scrubbing, to get all the high spots out. Don't worry if more of the color comes off, because you're going to be re-coloring this anyway.
4. Take a damp paper towel and give it a good wipe, to get all the oils off
5. Once it's pretty smooth, take some cream-like leather cleaner (doesn't have to be expensive... but the better the stuff, the less you have to work at it), a micro-fiber cloth (one without lint) and take off all the dirt from the steering wheel. You may need to do this a couple times. Keep doing this, until some of the old color actually comes off on the cloth... you want this to happen.
6. Lastly, get a sponge brush and spread it evenly across the entire surface... keeping in mind that you want an even coat, so watch for drip marks. You will be putting on a 2nd and 3rd coat, so don't worry if the color does not look great on the first coat. This stuff dries quickly, so work fast. Wait about a minute or two between coats... it really doesn't take long to dry.
7. You're done... after you let the steering wheel cure for a day or so, you can apply a leather protector on it to add strength... but I haven't used it, and it has held up very well.
Tip. If you find the coats aren't going on very smooth, use a micro-fiber cloth to apply it instead. The brush has to be a very soft one, that will contour with the steering wheel, not "scrape" along it.
I was able to drive the car 3 minutes after applying my last coat... it dries pretty quick like I said. But try and let the stuff cure for about 12 hours before excessive use.
Hope this helps... if you have any questions, let me know.
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