Hi! Does anyone know if it's possible to re-dye the steering wheel leather to a different (darker) color? If so, exactly HOW can I do this? And will it look o.k.?

I ask because I just scored a wood & leather steering wheel on eBay CHEAP, but it's gray in color & my interior is dark blue. Of course I'd like to make it match the color of my car, if possible.

I knew that it was a different color before I bought it, but I figured that even if I can't change it over I can resell it & get my money back.

I've always wanted a wood trimmed wheel for my interior. Any suggestions would be GREATLY appreciated.

Cheers,
96 STS

They make spray paint for leather, i used it on some boots once. It actually looked like they came that color. I'm sure it would work for you. It NEVER faded or wore off either. I had them ****ers for years too!

Funny 'ting you should mention, I also got a great deal on a wood/leather steering wheel from EBAY (it is off a 2002 Eldorado and going on my '97 DeVille). It is currently gray leather and must be dyed "Dark Montana Blue" to match the rest of the DeVille.

I got a leather dye kit from "Leather Magic" and they have automobile colour charts wherein you just troll through the list and find the colour applicable to your application. Their package arrived in the mail yesterday. They give you enough colour dye to do almost the whole interior!!!!! Of course, the addage "A little goes a long way" certainly applies here.

I plan to do it this weekend - I'll let you know how it comes out. The kit costs $39.95 U.S.

Frost
Take some pics of this transformation if you can . www.leathermagic.com ? is that the place

CHECK THIS LINK http://www.leatherworldtech.com/AutoColorChart.aspx?make=Chevrolet-Buick-Oldsmobile-Pontiac

Wow! Three hits on this post in one day. Thanks for the replies.

Frost, Definitely let us know how yours comes out. It sounds like you & I have the exact same color interior. Have you addressed the fit-up issues yet? Apparently these newer wheels fit onto smaller diameter steering shafts. But it has been done before. Check out my other posts & you'll find more details.

BTW...did you get an airbag with yours? I'm still waiting to find one cheap enough. All of them that I've found so far are outrageously priced.

Please keep us informed on how your conversion goes.

Cheers,
96 STS

I'm assuming the dye works great going from a lighter color to a darker color, but does it work the other way as well? I'm assuming the spray would work no matter what colors you were working with.

Brian

So far, all I've managed to do is remove the paddles, wiring and covered/taped off anything that WON'T be dyed. As per the instructions, I need to clean this puppy within an inch of it's life. Dishwashing detergent and water rinse until it squeaks, then a light roughing up with fine sandpaper (supplied with the kit), then an application of their "Leather Prep" to open the pores - Gee, does this thing also come with a chocolate and banana facial mask? - and then move on to the actual dye job.

Leather Magic recommends the first coat be lightly brushed on (they supply the foam brush), then all subsequent coats be sprayed (they include the spray bomb. All you have to do it hook up the bottle that the dye comes in). I figure if I'm lucky, a coupla of sprayed coats should do it for adequate coverage and tinting.

I'm going on the assumption that the wheel will look a bit darker than the rest of the interior, at least initially, as it will be alot newer and hasn't been baked by 8 years of sun 'n fun up here in the True North. We shall see.

As I go through the process, I'll be snaping the odd photo and will report on progress.

I haven't heard anything more , how did it turn out ? Any pics ?