Leather finish on steering wheels

[Jeremy]

The leather on my steering wheel was always "weak", but I took decent care of it. I just Leatheriqued and cleaned it yesterday/today, and most of the remaining finish came off with the treatment unfortunately. What can be done to "re-seal" leather? Is this part of what a re-dye accomplishes? The wheel itself is relatively rare, I've only seen one other like it. I think it's an e30 Hartge wheel by Momo. It's three spoked and relatively tiny in diameter (I don't have any pictures handy). I wouldn't care much, but the feel of the leather is no longer smooth. It's a touch abrasive, likely from the few remaining bits of finish that are left. I'd prefer not to trash the wheel because I really like it, but recovering it is probably totally outside the budget, and I've seen mixed results from such endeavors.

What are my options here?

[Motronic]

Leatherique has a steering wheel sealer called Kleer Kote. I have a bottle left over if you want to try it.

I think that's the name or similar.
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Edit: KLEAR KOTE by LEATHERIQUE- Developed by Leatherique for the automotive industry. This is a BRUSH OR SPRAY application of a polymer KLEAR KOTE used to protect surfaces. NOT recommended for outdoor application (vinyl tops). Will make CANVAS WATER REPELLENT. Great for sealing an older canvas top. (can turn milky on dark colors when wet. Developed for the EXTRA SHINE that some people want in a finish.

http://www.leatherique.com/products.html

[demetk]

I sand mine down, re-dye if needed and apply 3 coats of Krylon clear satin. The wheel in the e34 has held up for a year and a half. I just did the wheel in the e28 the same way but didn't need the re-dye. Total cost $5.50.

[Jeremy]

Thanks guys, I'll look into those. I had to pop out on an errand and remembered to grab a shot of the wheel. If anybody knows definitively what wheel this is or what's it's from, let me know.

[Mike W.]

I'm not a big Leatherique fan, but I have used their black dye on steering wheels with good results. It's a little soft and gummy for a while, but looks good and is protective. The worst thing seems to be when the dye wears off and it's down to bare leather, it wears quickly and right on thru.

[Jeremy]

I'm guessing that's what the "Klear Kote" is meant to prevent. I do like the Leatherique products. They're a little problematic if the finish is compromised in any way though.

[Mike W.]

A little shiny, but still. Leatherique dye.

[BRRV]

I'll be odd man out here and say that with the perspiration, oils from your hands, etc., I don't think any of the polymer dyes last long. Their only advantage is that they will "look" OE. But as mentioned they will get gummy after awhile, especially in higher humidity. And this would include Leatherique, although I do think that particular product will last longer than most. Now, what I use, after cleaning the wheel with something that strips the salt and grime out of the leather, is common spray leather shoe dye / lacquer (you can buy it at most good shoe repair shops). You probably have to remove the wheel, since it's a spray. Several light coats, flashed for a few minutes, will last for years. PRO: Will last far longer than anything else I've ever tried, in fact, years since I did my wheel the last time. CONS: Heavier applications will result in a hard, shiny, very black finish to the leather. I actually like this, but some who like the leather uber-soft and so on won't. And actually, my initial application of spray didn't look all that much different than the pic Mike is showing; subsequent touch up coats without leveling or stripping build the surface, obviously.

The beauty of this is that it will protect the leather permanently. My original wheel, which began a little delamination of the leather fibers in just a couple of spots more than 15 years ago, looks perfect to this day, using a combination of Leatherique Crack Filler (for small gouges and other imperfections), their black polymer dye applied with a detail brush to color the filler, and Meltonian or Leather Magic spray lacquer over the entire wheel.

[demetk]

Now, what I use, after cleaning the wheel with something that strips the salt and grime out of the leather, is common spray leather shoe dye / lacquer (you can buy it at most good shoe repair shops). You probably have to remove the wheel, since it's a spray. Several light coats, flashed for a few minutes, will last for years.

Yup, I tried the latex stuff that you apply with a moist cloth and it was great until it wore off in a year. I'm pretty sure the Krylon clear is lacquer based since it dries in like 10 minutes.

[tn535i]

I would be curious to try one of the spray type (lacquer) but rather than spray it directly on the wheel, spray it onto a cloth and wipe it in until you get the sheen you're after. I've done this on other things and like that approach. So it's more like staining wood than painting and you will reach a point it simply doesn't absorb much anymore and avoid getting a thick film.

Anybody tried like this? I have a wheel and shift knob I would like to touch up both.

[Mike W.]

I'll be odd man out here and say that with the perspiration, oils from your hands, etc., I don't think any of the polymer dyes last long. Their only advantage is that they will "look" OE. But as mentioned they will get gummy after awhile, especially in higher humidity. And this would include Leatherique, although I do think that particular product will last longer than most. Now, what I use, after cleaning the wheel with something that strips the salt and grime out of the leather, is common spray leather shoe dye / lacquer (you can buy it at most good shoe repair shops). You probably have to remove the wheel, since it's a spray. Several light coats, flashed for a few minutes, will last for years. PRO: Will last far longer than anything else I've ever tried, in fact, years since I did my wheel the last time. CONS: Heavier applications will result in a hard, shiny, very black finish to the leather. I actually like this, but some who like the leather uber-soft and so on won't. And actually, my initial application of spray didn't look all that much different than the pic Mike is showing; subsequent touch up coats without leveling or stripping build the surface, obviously.

The beauty of this is that it will protect the leather permanently. My original wheel, which began a little delamination of the leather fibers in just a couple of spots more than 15 years ago, looks perfect to this day, using a combination of Leatherique Crack Filler (for small gouges and other imperfections), their black polymer dye applied with a detail brush to color the filler, and Meltonian or Leather Magic spray lacquer over the entire wheel.

I'm not enough of a chemist to agree or disagree with your supposition, but I have heard very good things about using black shoe polish on seats. The liquid kind, not the paste. I've never tried it but that doesn't mean I won't sometime.