Is the steering wheel leather? - Toyota Nation Forum : Toyota Car and Truck Forums

pmesfun · 08-04-2010, 08:43 PM

I going to repair my steering wheel and can't decide whether or not it's leather. Anybody knows? Thanks.

Chunkywolf · 08-04-2010, 09:31 PM

Yes

pmesfun · 08-04-2010, 09:32 PM

Thank you.

Chunkywolf · 08-04-2010, 10:28 PM

on a side note... that's QUITE a worn down steering wheel.... mine hasn't even developed cracks @ 156k

The Digital MagE · 08-04-2010, 10:49 PM

how do you plan to repair it?

i made a bad mistake with mine. it was just dirty - no damage - until i cleaned it with alcohol. bummer - took the "paint" off of it. i thought it was dirt coming off so i didn't quit...

anybody know how to put more paint on the wheel?

pmesfun · 08-05-2010, 01:23 AM

Well it is the result of my dad putting a cheap steering wheel cover on, it cut into the leather. It wasn't the bad, but the biggest tear is where my hand is most. Anyways I planning on sanding it with 400/600 grit. Cover tears with super glue gel and sand it with 240 grit. Smooth it out, then use filler to even out the wheel, after that use Thompson water seal. Once that is done put Adhesion promoter. Finally use Ruste-Oleum gloss gray to paint the wheel and shift knob. http://www.autozone.com/autozone/acc...er=550010_0_0_

pmesfun · 08-05-2010, 02:42 PM

Progress so far:

tjmc25 · 08-05-2010, 02:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Digital Mag

how do you plan to repair it?

i made a bad mistake with mine. it was just dirty - no damage - until i cleaned it with alcohol. bummer - took the "paint" off of it. i thought it was dirt coming off so i didn't quit...

anybody know how to put more paint on the wheel?

I dont think that its paint, its dye put in in the tanning process. I work at a leather tannery, we dye leather any color that you can think of. I would think at this point you could color it somehow, but I'm thinking paint probably isnt the way.

workerant · 08-05-2010, 02:51 PM

Just get a cover and wrap it over. Easy fix.

pmesfun · 08-05-2010, 04:49 PM

more pics:

The Digital MagE · 08-05-2010, 09:46 PM

to the OP:

you could just go to a junkyard and buy another wheel...

but if you do BE CAREFUL of the airbag - they can injure, even kill, when they go off accidentally!

i would look for instructions on how to disarm the airbag in an avalon before i pulled the wheel...

pmesfun · 08-05-2010, 10:02 PM

first coat applied, need to use filler to even out parts.

Jigg007 · 08-05-2010, 10:11 PM

That actually looks really good! I'm curious as to how it will feel and hold up to constant man-handling.

pmesfun · 08-05-2010, 10:36 PM

Time will tell, right now I filling in uneven spots and getting it ready for another coat.

Chunkywolf · 08-06-2010, 02:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Digital Mag

to the OP:

you could just go to a junkyard and buy another wheel...

but if you do BE CAREFUL of the airbag - they can injure, even kill, when they go off accidentally!

i would look for instructions on how to disarm the airbag in an avalon before i pulled the wheel...

Last I checked, airbags in cars like these were just plugged in with 2 wires( + and ground)... just make sure the battery is disconnected when unplugging/plugging back in the airbag. Also, if you hook up the battery with an airbag disconnected, it will normally throw a light up on the dash, and require a trip to the dealer to get it fixed(not sure in this car though).