Recovering OEM steering wheel with new leather

[dcains]

I found an old thread in another forum, but it was from 11 years ago, so I'll ask again. Has anyone recently had their steering wheel recovered with new leather? If so, which shop did you use, and can you post some pics? I know there are DIY kits out there, but I'm looking for a professional job which looks original. I was thinking about a bit thicker padding, and perhaps perforated leather. TIA.

This is the wheel I have:

[bimas]

I found an old thread in another forum, but it was from 11 years ago, so I'll ask again. Has anyone recently had their steering wheel recovered with new leather? If so, which shop did you use, and can you post some pics? I know there are DIY kits out there, but I'm looking for a professional job which looks original. I was thinking about a bit thicker padding, and perhaps perforated leather. TIA. This is the wheel I have:

This won't be very helpful to most, but perhaps anecdotal. I have traveled my wheel to a small town in the Czech Republic (I was going there anyway), and brought an AGLA kit to an upholsterer inside a Mazda dealer. He considered the project a challenge. After a few days, I got my wheel back beautifully recovered, with original stitching. The guy returned the AGLA leather to me stating that he prefers to cut his own (and better). All set and done, $100. I don't think he'd do it again for that low. He said it was challenging.

[FernandoBunster]

Although I haven't had the opportunity to use this place they come highly recommended by Bert Poliakoff.

http://www.leatherwheels.com

[dcains]

Bert actually sent me Chris' email address last night, and in the reply I received I see his phone number matches that site. Wonder what it didn't come up in a Google search?

Anyway, that looks like the shop to use, and I'll post up some pics when I get the job done.

[n2bimmer]

Thats not a bad price. It would cost a little over $200 after shipping and added options. There is a local guy who quoted me $200. Ill have to do mine as well.

[Bert Poliakoff]

Shipping $15 each way via Fedex

[LarryM]

This guy came recommended to me. I had him recover the M-Tech1 wheel for my 535is using "M" tri-color stitching and it turned out beautiful. He has pics of literally hundreds of examples of his work. See pages 8 and 9 (and maybe more...) of the Steering Wheels section to see what the tri-color stitching looks like.

http://www.dallassteeringwheel.com/index.htm

[dcains]

I'm going to go with Chris at leatherwheels, as Bert's recommendation is good enough for me. I like the type of leather on the wheel in sample pic #7, which would cost $230 + shipping.

[tonym427]

Did you ever get the wheel redone?

[dcains]

Embarrassed to say I still haven't. Just too many other things to do, and I've had some health issues this past year. It's getting closer to the top of my list, though.

[Dash01]

FWIW, my '85 Shark had a factory sport steering wheel, which had gotten badly alligatored after decades of sun. It had ~2mm high raised spots from the leather cracking and expanding, so I planned to replace it.

On impulse while detailing the car, I tried wet sanding the leather with probably 800 grit emery paper. With amazingly little effort, the alligator texture came right off, without sanding down completely through the leather. I applied some bees wax or leather conditioner (forget which) after using some black shoe polish. Result: The damn thing looked nearly new afterward.

Got similar results sanding a leather covered armrest on a 20 year old BMW. Be gentle as you sand, lest you sand right through the leather. Might save the cost of a new cover...

[tonym427]

Embarrassed to say I still haven't. Just too many other things to do, and I've had some health issues this past year. It's getting closer to the top of my list, though.

I just sent mine out so hoping to post pictures once its back , wish you good health Dean!

[FlyOverCountry]

I did my own with a Red line kit...

http://www.redlinegoods.com/SteeringWheelCover.php

I'll use the same kit on my e24 this was my e23.

It turned out well for the the $65 I spent for the Kit.

[dcains]

That looks remarkably nice. Does the new leather install ove the original leather, or did you strip the wheel back to the rubber padding?

Edit: l had some time to look at the site, and I see the original leather is removed first, but I also didn't see any kits for $65. They start @$129, with the options adding cost.

[FlyOverCountry]

You remove all the old leather and start with a bare wheel. It took a good 2 hrs to complete but was not hard just tedious. Mounted on a 1x4 board with a bolt and put the board in my vice. Buy some contact cement and go to town.

They had some discount code or sale I used to get it for $65. The kit is just a piece of leather cut, with stitching on each side and sewn together. Slip on the cover and glue and start stitching the weave back and forth even it out as you go.

The ship them from Poland so you know the kit is probably $10 to make. But the leather has good feel.


Google is your Friend some times.....


Make sure to use our current DISCOUNT CODE: H1N1C93TU251 if you want something this cool

http://www.redlinegoods.com/giveback.php

:-)

[n2bimmer]

That wheel looks nice.

[dcains]

It definitely does, but I wonder about by dexterity with a needle and thread.

[FlyOverCountry]

there is not a whole lot of needle and threading the way the BMW wheels are stitched. it's pulling one side stitch closer to the other with the thread.

[83 528e]

I did my own with a Red line kit...

http://www.redlinegoods.com/SteeringWheelCover.php

I'll use the same kit on my e24 this was my e23.

It turned out well for the the $65 I spent for the Kit.

Looks great, My question is what did you do to get the M Tech to fit the E23 Column? Did you do the E28 Shaft swap?

[FlyOverCountry]

yep, check the e23 forum I have a write up on the swap .