89 Steering Wheel Leather Issue

[zogltc]

I recently bought a really nice 89 Town Car...the interior is immaculate, except for the steering wheel...it is really nasty dirty and stained...

Any way to clean it up? I have tried Maguires leather cleaner and now it feels nice but still looks like crap.

I bought a Wheelskin, but it looks cheap...took it right off.

The interior is tan and the steering wheel liether is a sand color...if anyone has a wheel for sale I am interested...thanks

[joedogg]

WheelSkin? Like the one you stitch on yourself? Dosen't look good?

I was thinking of getting one myself.

[Mr Wiggl3s]

Just use a scraper type of deal, some 401 on there

[Hensley]

I've put on a couple of leather wheel skins in the past. They take a long time to get (stitch) on, and never look as good as stock. It'd be great to find a shop that will do it, but I'm sure it would be pricey.

[JoshMcMadMac]

I've put on a couple of leather wheel skins in the past. They take a long time to get (stitch) on, and never look as good as stock. It'd be great to find a shop that will do it, but I'm sure it would be pricey.

There is a shop that did a couple of wheels for the Mark VII guys...but their black listed for their lack of professionalism and poor quality.

[Mr Wiggl3s]

Ya, but i don't think they do Town Cars

I was going to ask but i didn't get around to it

[87 town]

I recently bought a really nice 89 Town Car...the interior is immaculate, except for the steering wheel...it is really nasty dirty and stained...

Any way to clean it up? I have tried Maguires leather cleaner and now it feels nice but still looks like crap.

I bought a Wheelskin, but it looks cheap...took it right off.

The interior is tan and the steering wheel liether is a sand color...if anyone has a wheel for sale I am interested...thanks

I have used "Armor All" vinyl treatment and cleaner before on my wheel. You might want to soak some on there and even work with a tooth brush for light scrubbing. I really believe if you work on it, you will get it new looking again.
I had a cover before on mine too and it didnt look right and I also felt I lost some grip.

[gadget73]

I imagine if you cut the stitches on the original leather and re-wrapped it you may have better results. I also have a cheap cover on mine because the wheel keeps going sticky. I don't have a leather wrapped steering wheel, but the plastic oozes nasty garbage and the wheel is constantly tacky. I got tired of that so it has a cover. My truck has a padded wheel with vinyl coating that is wearing thin too. Not quite sure what to do with it. No cover I can put on it won't look idiotic. Might just have to replace it. I really do hate wheel covers though.

[87 town]

I recently bought a really nice 89 Town Car...the interior is immaculate, except for the steering wheel...it is really nasty dirty and stained...

Any way to clean it up? I have tried Maguires leather cleaner and now it feels nice but still looks like crap.

I bought a Wheelskin, but it looks cheap...took it right off.

The interior is tan and the steering wheel liether is a sand color...if anyone has a wheel for sale I am interested...thanks


I just thought of another possible option here. There is a company called Auto Anything, autoanything.com and they have custom seat covers, steering wheel covers, rear view mirrors, car covers and much much more. They tailor make products per make of car and I do remember them having some nice leather wheel covers in many colors. I bought some sheepskin seat covers about 3 years ago specific for the town car and they are dynamite, fit perfect and wear well. Anyhow, you may want to check em out. They have a great catalog and the quality is there. No, i'm not a salesman for them...lol

[Sixlitre]

WheelSkin? Like the one you stitch on yourself? Dosen't look good?

I was thinking of getting one myself.

Too bad

as they looked great on both the Bronco and Cheeselers

Sixlitre

[pro-five-oh]

See the TECH article on leather restoration. DB wrote one helluva article right there.

[Deserttaxguy]

If the leather is in good condition, get some shoe leather dye in the spray can. Mask around your dash and wheel, then spray carefully-evenly with no drips. Put short bursts of thin coats on and build it up. The dye in a can at most shoe repair stores works great. I've done mine several times (not because the dye fails) just to keep it nice. I've dyed mine probably 2x in 15 years. Spray the whole wheel including the centers, and back side. Dont use Armour-all.!

[DB]

If the leather is rough and needs repair get some crack filler from leatherique.com. Paint on leather dye works better than the spray on but either will do the job. Read the tech article on restoring leather seats and it will tell you how to use the crack filler, etc.

You can make it look new and last for years if you do the right prep work and don't rush it. Good luck!