Steering Wheel upholstery replacement

Adam18290 · 18 Jan 2008 at 21:24

Just wondered how you would go around changing the actual upholstry on a leather steering wheel and how much it would cost?

Thanks

laiman · 19 Jan 2008 at 00:32

Not really sure where would be best as its a bit fiddly stitching them on is it not?
Maybe cheaper to replace the whole thing, depending on wheel mounted controls etc.

Might even be best to go outside the motor trade, I'm sure I saw one repaired on some TV program by a saddle maker or something once could be worth a shot, probably better to wait for someone who knows.

edit: Even a good leather shop, somewhere that does their own stuff might be a good place to try?

Ev0 · 19 Jan 2008 at 00:56

To get a rough idea of prices I know of a car upholstering company based around the bournemouth area who charge around 150 for a full wheel retrim. It's pricey but have seen pics and the quality looks very good. I'd expect this to be the most you'd pay for a basic retrim though, reckon you could get it cheaper elsewhere or as someone said find a non car related tradesperson who could do it.

Sometimes this is lots cheaper than a new wheel, my Clio wheel is made of really soft leather and it just gets hacked to hell. A new wheel is around £350 from Renault, but am getting a friends brother who works as an upholsterer to do it a bit cheaper, looking to pay about £75 still though!

Tican · 19 Jan 2008 at 10:22

Look in a breakers yard for a new wheel possibly?

Adam18290 · 19 Jan 2008 at 11:18

Yea breakers yard could be a good idea, ill do a bit of research.

Thanks

Tican · 19 Jan 2008 at 12:33

Adam18290 said:
Yea breakers yard could be a good idea, ill do a bit of research.

Thanks

Maybe also try eBay, some bargains to be had some times

Mark A · 19 Jan 2008 at 16:32

Ev0 said:
To get a rough idea of prices I know of a car upholstering company based around the bournemouth area who charge around 150 for a full wheel retrim. It's pricey but have seen pics and the quality looks very good. I'd expect this to be the most you'd pay for a basic retrim though, reckon you could get it cheaper elsewhere or as someone said find a non car related tradesperson who could do it.

Sometimes this is lots cheaper than a new wheel, my Clio wheel is made of really soft leather and it just gets hacked to hell. A new wheel is around £350 from Renault, but am getting a friends brother who works as an upholsterer to do it a bit cheaper, looking to pay about £75 still though!

£350

, is that including the airbag etc?.

My wheel is a bit scuffed like someone has used a chemical to clean it and its removed the coating from the leather in places. I'm thinking of getting a Focus RS leather wheel with blue trim from ebay for £135.

Adam18290 · 19 Jan 2008 at 16:46

What would you say is the most effective way of cleaning a leather steering wheel, in some places its sticky and ive tried with warm soapy water but it just kept turning the water grey (the colour of the steering wheel) and didnt know whether it was the dirt or whether i was rubbing the steering wheel away :S