Steering Wheel restoration

[X5_twin]

Just restored my MSport leather steering wheel on my X5. It was looking shiny and generally dirty and felt terrible. So thought I'd post a few pictures and share it with you all. What a difference its made.

from this (before):



to this (after):





What you need:
- JML Doktor Power Magic Eraser
- Warm water
- Gliptone leather cleaner and restorer products - GT12 and GT11 see link. http://www.liquidleather.com/car-shop.html
- Lint free cloth to gently apply and wipe away the Gliptone etc.


Step by step guide:

1 - Tear a 2-3" strip of the magic eraser.

2 - Rinse in hot/warm water and squeeze dry.

3 - Gently wipe the steering wheel in one direction working your way around the wheel so as not to wipe dirt back over the area you have just cleaned. You'll see the eraser getting dirty and the wheel will start to appear to look matt again.

4- Rinse the dirt out of the magic eraser under the tap or in another bowl of clean water. Repeat step 3 gradually gently working your way around the steering wheel. Not pressing too hard as it might damage the leather. Keep clear of the stitching too. I doubt water is good for it, and also the stitching causes the magic eraser to break-up and crumble.

5 - Once you are satisfied that the magic eraser is no longer picking up dirt you can then apply the leather cleaner and conditioner as per the instructions on the bottles. Wipe away any excess water and make sure the steering wheel is dry.

5 - Apply the cleaner (GT12) first. Use a a cloth and again work your way around the steering wheel in one direction. Wipe away any excess. Allow to dry.

6 - Apply the conditioner (GT11) again with a cloth working your way around the wheel. Wipe away any excess. Allow to dry and repeat this step again to give it extra conditioner.

My wheel looked terrible, it was shiny and felt dirty. Now its restored and look great for a car of its age plus its got the new matt look and feels soft and thick again, like new. It took about 20mins and has made a huge difference to the interior.

Might go and have a crack at my seats next !

[X5Sport]

Very nice job...... :alkashi:

Richard

[X5_twin]

Thanks. I happy with the result. No doubt if I'd spent longer with the magic eraser i would have cleaned the leather up better before treating it.

Now the interior feels like new. I just need to find a way to repair this on the steering wheel. It drives me mad everyday I look at it (this photo is pre-clean!)

[JohnnyRob]

If it is possible to remove the switch panel(s) from the steering wheel, you could then wrap them 3m black matt film, or carbon

[X5_twin]

I'd really like to do that or find a company that could. I've emailed 2 companies that do vehicle wraps but not had any luck.

[Sanj]

I've done my own on the 1-Series, needs a hair dryer and patience. Sometimes a few return attempts too. Can post up pics if you like?

[X5_twin]

If you could post pictures. I'd love to know how to do it myself.

[Sanj]

Here you go (sorry about the flash). PM me about DIYing:

[storminmike]

Is this Power Magic Eraser just the same as that supplied as a clay bar?

[Caesium]

The magic eraser is basically dense foam, you can get it in Wilkinsons

[X5_twin]

I bought my magic eraser in Homebase. Its a dense white rectangular piece of 'sponge'. I also highly recommend the leather cleaner too I used too. Very good stuff.

[X5_twin]

Sanj looks like a very professional job. Nice work.

Once I've done my steering wheel I'm also tempted to do the roof of my Abarth 500. M3 style carbon roof ! Can you get external grade carbon wrap?

[Sanj]

Same stuff as you would use on the interior - 3M DiNoc

[X5_twin]

Thanks Sanj. I'm keen to look into this.

Thinking about it ideally I'd like an OEM looking finish for the steering wheel. I'll have a look to see finishes they do.

Once again your job looks very impressive. Nice work.

[Sanj]

You can get almost the same look with matt black pain finish. This is the lazy way to finish it.  )