Painting materials
The first step is to decide what material needs to be restored. After all, the steering wheel can be not only leather, but also plastic or with wooden inserts. The selection of suitable paint depends on the material.
When choosing the right paint, you must take into account that its cost is directly related to abrasion resistance. Since the steering wheel is used very actively and this abrasion resistance is very important, experts recommend not saving. Painting the steering wheel using modern materials can be done using an aerosol can or a swab.
Sponge braids
The sponge braid for the steering wheel is covered with Alcantara and eco-leather. The model has a memory effect and fits on the steering wheel like a cover. The braid does not slip in the palms; in winter, the sponge and Alcantara retain heat, and in the heat they absorb moisture. After several trips, the shape of the braid will remember the grip positions and adapt to the driver. Select the color and size of the braid in the online store catalog.
The sponge braid for the steering wheel fits like a cover, remembers the shape of the hands and does not put pressure on the driver’s palms and fingers. Sponge inserts are lined with soft Alcantara. The braided rim is made of eco-leather. There are several color solutions in the series.
Sponge braid for the steering wheel, trimmed with Alcantara. The sponge remembers the shape of your hands (memory effect) and does not put pressure on your fingers and palms. Alcantara makes the braid pleasant to the touch and resistant to damage. The diamond-shaped sponge inserts prevent slipping. The braid is put on the steering wheel as a cover. In winter, your hands will not be cold, and in hot weather the material absorbs sweat. On the website you can choose the color and size of the braid for a specific steering wheel.
Sponge braid for the steering wheel, covered with eco-leather. The sponge remembers the shape of your hands (memory effect) and does not put pressure on your fingers and palms. Eco-leather makes the braid durable, and the diamond-shaped sponge inserts prevent slipping. The braid is put on the steering wheel as a cover.
A modern steering wheel braid with a whole range of interesting solutions. Sponge inserts adapt to the driver's grip and take the most comfortable shape. Durable material with a glossy shine looks very stylish, and in three places the braid is covered with eco-leather. Externally, the model gives the impression of varnished wood covered with leather. There are three braid options in the series.
About leather materials
Any car store sells various cosmetic materials for the skin, the label of which will indicate that the product also has a restorative effect. Will this paint last? It all depends on the quality of the components that are included in the composition. The principle of operation of the dye is approximately the same as the action of shoe polish.
When choosing paint for leather, you should also consider the quality of the materials. For example, if a car has a steering wheel with a combined or vegetable tanning, then for such a coating it is necessary to purchase soft coloring materials. This is because such skin has higher absorption. If the tanning is chrome, then the absorption is much lower. This means that the steering wheel can be painted with harsher dyes.
Let’s take a closer look at what a steering wheel cover is and why it is needed
The steering wheel cover not only plays a decorative role, but can also improve the appearance of the car.
By the appearance of the steering wheel, you can usually determine how old the car is, but if the steering wheel is new and beautiful, then it will not give out all the details about the car, which can help in selling the car. Also, one of the most important characteristics is the thickness of the steering wheel, which, by the way, is discussed in this video:
Thanks to the constriction, this parameter can be adjusted to the individual preferences of the driver. It will not be possible to make the steering wheel thinner, but it is possible to make the steering wheel thicker 4-8 millimeters. It seems that the difference is not significant but this is 12%-24% of the usual steering wheel thickness.
Another reason for tightening the steering wheel may be the desire to make it soft. Before covering the leather, the steering wheel is covered with porous, soft polyurethane. Soft steering wheels are used in all BMW E65 and M-series .
Tactile sensations play an important role when driving. By choosing high-quality material for covering, you get a guarantee that it will not slip and will hold well in your hands. This will definitely give you confidence when driving.
Required chemistry set
For restoration work you will need more than just dye. Professionals in workshops use a whole set of modern auto chemical products for different stages of preparation and painting.
A special degreaser is required. It is especially effective for the initial removal of oily stains, as well as other impurities on the skin. You also need a cleaner for leather, plastic and vinyl surfaces. The kit for painting the steering wheel also includes a special absorbent agent. It is designed to remove deep, stubborn stains from sweat, oil and grease on leather surfaces. It wouldn't hurt to buy a tube of liquid skin.
Which product is better to choose? For painting, it is recommended to use water-based leather and vinyl paint. It is capable of qualitatively restoring the shade. A matte finish is also recommended for leather and vinyl. The “Stitcher” product will provide maximum abrasion resistance with the help of a special protective layer.
Along with self-painting, a service such as professional restoration of the steering wheel is available. Many tuning studios paint the steering wheel. Reviews about the work are very positive. The surface does not wear off for at least another 150 thousand kilometers. However, the budget for these works cannot be compared with those carried out independently.
Cutting out and sewing blanks
Patterning is not a difficult task, because we already have a ready-made pattern. It is best to first transfer the details onto cardboard, this will make it easier for us to make the pattern on the leather itself. When transferring to cardboard, be sure to add 2-3 mm to the seams. Now the simplest thing remains - to draw the details of our blanks on the skin. A ballpoint pen or marker is suitable for this.
Our pattern is ready. Now you need to sew the parts together, leaving only the inner seam of the steering wheel free. It is better to sew using a sewing machine, it will be stronger. And don’t forget about the thread, it should be nylon and not too thin.
The next step is fitting. We apply the workpiece to the steering wheel and check everything carefully. Make sure that the tailored leather braid fits as tightly as possible to the steering wheel. This will help prevent the trim from twisting in the future. If you are satisfied with everything, move on to the next stage.
Preparatory work
First of all, cover the dashboard with film so as not to stain it. Film or other protective material is best secured using masking tape. The latter will also help protect the steering wheel spokes and buttons.
Next, you need to remove from the surface all scratches, cracks, dents and other defects that have formed during use. Why start with this? Because in some cases you can do without painting if the leather on the steering wheel is not old or worn out. After removing all the defects, it will be possible to assess whether major restoration work is needed or whether the problem will be solved by simply re-upholstering the steering wheel.
Types and options of covering + materials
Steering wheel rim reupholstery
The BMW E39 steering wheel rim is perfectly covered in white leather using a herringbone stitch.
The easiest way is to cover the steering wheel rim. In this type of work, only the rim itself is covered with leather or leatherette, and where it connects with the knitting needles, the material is sheathed and glued.
Eco-leather steering wheel upholstery
Eco-leather is an excellent material for covering the steering wheel. The main thing is that it is environmentally friendly.
Eco-leather is an innovative environmentally friendly material . It is very difficult to distinguish it from genuine leather. The material is not very expensive, but high quality and reliable. Eco-leather is very elastic and fits the steering wheel perfectly, and the homogeneous structure of the material looks expensive and organic.
Original steering wheel reupholstery, choice of threads
If you are very creative and not like everyone else (and also love a blanket and coffee), this type of cover is for you.
Degreasing
Next, the skin must be thoroughly degreased so that the painting of the car steering wheel turns out to be of the highest quality and even. It is recommended to purchase special cleaners for leather products. But if your budget is limited, then regular white spirit will do.
Remember that the skin absorbs these degreasers very well. Therefore, for processing it is necessary to use a rag slightly moistened with liquid. One of the mistakes is that car enthusiasts try to carefully apply white spirit. As a result, the skin will be dry and wrinkled.
Restoration of plastic elements
Recently, you can see a lot of plastic parts on car steering wheels. Over time, they also lose their appearance. You can paint this type of steering wheel, but the color will fade quickly. In order for the coating to adhere better to the surface, the surface should be sanded. Before painting, it is recommended to thoroughly degrease the steering wheel. But not with white spirit, but with ordinary medical alcohol. It is best to spray paint in thin layers.
But it is best and much more effective in this case to use another restoration method - re-upholstering the steering wheel. In the case of plastic, installing a good leather braid will solve the situation.
The Moscow tuning studio AXIOMauto provides a professional service of high-quality painting and prompt removal of scuffs on a leather car steering wheel, which is an affordable alternative to reupholstery.
Gel braids
Gel braid for the steering wheel made of leather with a diamond-shaped texture and two covers made of eco-leather with perforations. Gel inserts remain elastic even in cold weather and make the steering wheel more comfortable to grip. Steel rings divide the rim into four sections. The braid is put on like a cover. Sporty dynamic design.
The braid on the steering wheel is made to look like carbon. Durable base material is combined with eco-leather inserts. Four steel rings divide the rim into equal sectors. Externally, the model looks like a premium braid. Fits on the steering wheel as a cover. Gel inserts help to hold the steering wheel, do not freeze in the cold and massage your palms while driving. Three design options.
How is a leather steering wheel painted?
- Paint tinting. The paint color is matched to the skin tone to preserve the original look of the steering wheel and the harmony of colors in the interior.
- Preparing for painting. The surface of the steering wheel is cleaned and degreased, after which the leather is sanded. If there are defects (for example, sagging skin or seams), they must be eliminated. If there are severe defects (for example, tears), we recommend reupholstering the steering wheel, because These damages will be noticeable after painting. Painting the steering wheel will successfully disguise minor scuffs and scratches.
- Painting. Paint is applied to the prepared skin in several layers. The surface is dried after applying each layer.
Steering wheel wrap
Before you start remaking the steering wheel, you need to decide what type of seam we will use. There are quite a lot of them, but three are the most popular among car enthusiasts:
If you like the last two, then before starting the covering work, you need to stitch on a sewing machine along the entire circumference on both edges. These seams will be useful later to tighten the edges of the pattern. For a braid, such stitching is not needed.
Pigtail seam. For it, we make uniform markings for future punctures on one side along the entire perimeter of the inner seam. On the other side we make the same marks, but they should not be located opposite the marks of the parallel side, but exactly in the middle. Now we apply the blank to the steering wheel and begin to tighten the edges of the pattern along the intended puncture sites. For this we use the same nylon thread.
“Sports” and “macrame” seams are very similar in technique. To tighten these seams, we use the stitching we made earlier. We tighten the sides of the pattern by grabbing the stitching sections alternately on one side and the other. There is only one difference - for a sports seam we grab each stitching loop, for macrame - every other stitch.
Materials used
High-quality water-based paint designed specifically for painting leather in cars. Withstands multiple temperature changes and mechanical friction. It is a completely environmentally friendly product and does not cause adverse reactions from the human body.
EXPERIENCE
Professionals in their field with over 15 years of experience
AFFORDABLE PRICES
It's always cheaper with us. Prices from 2,000 rubles
QUALITY
High-quality original materials
GUARANTEE
Long-term guarantee for all types of work
Video about us
The steering wheel in a car is the place with which the driver most often comes into contact, so its surface wears off quickly. Any materials tend to wear out. Our salon offers a steering wheel painting . We can restore a spectacular look to the interior without disturbing its design. The upholstery can be painted without even removing the steering wheel. To do this, it is necessary to properly cover the rest of the space so as not to paint over parts that do not require restoration.
Auto studio AxiomAuto offers car steering wheel painting . Our specialists will perform all the work efficiently, eliminating scuffs and defects. Taking into account the removal and installation of the steering wheel, it takes just over 1 hour. As soon as you bring the car, we begin the restoration work. You can pick up the car on the same day. By using the service, you will be able to:
- improve the appearance of the upholstery;
- extend the operational life;
- transform the interior of your car.
When painting the steering wheel , special equipment is used, so you should not do it at home. We work with high-quality and wear-resistant paint.
Learning how to correctly put the braid on the steering wheel
First of all, remove any sharp objects away from you, be it a screwdriver, pry bar, awl or anything else! No matter how much you would like to speed up the process of putting on the braid using these tools, remember that by using them, you risk damaging not only the braid, but also the steering wheel itself. To put it on, you only need the braid itself. Also, there is no need to pre-stretch the braid or heat it over an open fire. This will not lead to anything good.
You only need to pay attention to the temperature of the steering wheel braid itself. If the process occurs in warm weather, then there are no problems. If it’s frosty outside, then before putting the braid on the steering wheel, put it in the cabin closer to the stove and bring it to normal temperature. After this, align the steering wheel and attach the braid to it. If there are notches or patterns on it, position them according to the position of the steering wheel. You need to start tightening the braid from the top, smoothly moving down. To make the process easier, help yourself with rotational movements around the rim of the steering wheel - this way the braid will sit on the steering wheel much faster. All. As you can see, nothing complicated.
We hope you will follow our recommendations. Then the selected steering wheel braid will serve you faithfully for more than one season.
TOP 5 best steering wheel braids with prices and reviews at the end of the article. Scroll!
A steering wheel braid is a useful accessory that is not only a decorative element, but also makes driving more comfortable. This unique steering wheel cover prevents slipping and increases the size of the steering wheel (this is convenient for people with large hands).
Coloring in stages
In Moscow, various companies can offer steering wheel painting. You should trust only qualified craftsmen. Our auto mechanics have over 15 years of experience in car restoration. The work performed is covered by a guarantee. We have an individual approach to each client. The work is carried out in stages:
- Craftsmen thoroughly clean the surface using special products. The steering wheel is degreased.
- Remove the old layer of paint by sanding it off with sandpaper.
- Cracks, chips, and defects are covered with a special paste.
- The paint is applied with a spray gun. After drying, a protective layer is applied on top.
To paint the steering wheel of a car, we use water-based paint. It is able to withstand large temperature changes, mechanical friction, and shock. There are no harmful substances in the composition, so the paint is not dangerous to the human body with constant contact. The price of the work varies depending on the make of the car and the complexity of the task. Our website provides photographs before and after restoration.
Features of work
Not all cars are equipped with a leather steering wheel. In the middle segment of cars it is covered with soft plastic, in some brands - with wooden overlays. However, these materials also wear out and lose their original appearance. Painting a plastic steering wheel is done in the same way as leather. Before painting, the surface must be cleaned with fine sandpaper. You can use waterproof spray paint. It is applied from a long distance and in doses. For a good result, 3-4 layers are needed.
We create a pattern for a pattern
There are different ways to create patterns and many tips on this matter. One of them is to rip out the old sheathing. It is quite possible that some car services also use this method. But it is only good if the steering wheel was previously covered with leather or other material. Other sources suggest cutting out rectangles from leather, attaching them to the steering wheel and then making the necessary notches. We will use a different method.
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Not faster, but more accurate.
- cling film;
- masking tape;
- stationery knife;
- fountain pen or marker;
- cardboard.
Advice from auto mechanics
You can tell about the condition of the car by looking at the steering wheel. A worn-out structure may indicate high mileage, so to sell a car you must first restore it. Painting the steering wheel will help restore a spectacular look . To maintain attractiveness, mechanics advise:
- purchase a leather steering wheel cover to protect against rings on your hands;
- use silicone polishes;
- Periodically treat the steering wheel, wiping off dirt and dust.
In addition to painting the steering wheel , our craftsmen also provide other services, such as reupholstery, interior repair, control panels and seats. All of them are designed to update the design of the vehicle. We provide advice on all issues of interest. The specialist will tell you about the benefits of materials and how to properly care for them.
Painting the steering wheel is a modern way of restoration at an affordable price. Our craftsmen will quickly eliminate defects and scuffs. To contact us, you can request a “call back”. A manager will call you back within an hour to agree on the details. Our address: Moscow, Ramenki metro station, st. Mosfilmovskaya, house 80-A. Phone numbers are located in the header of the site.
Restoring a car's steering wheel is often simply a necessary procedure. This is due to the fact that with constant contact of the driver with this part, the steering wheel coating wears out, scratches, stains and abrasions appear, all this makes the driving process itself less comfortable, and significantly spoils the appearance of the car interior. To solve this problem, drivers use four approaches:
- buying a new part and installing it in place of the old one. A very expensive undertaking, and often it is not a justifiable waste of money, especially if the steering wheel is working properly.
- calling a car repair shop for help. In this case, in addition to the consumables themselves, you will also pay a substantial amount for the provision of services.
- put the cover on the steering wheel. Not a bad budget option, but many drivers don’t like the fact that the thickness of the coverage increases and driving becomes less comfortable.
- painting a car steering wheel with your own hands, for example in a garage. This is a budget solution; to implement it you will need to buy materials to restore the coating and spend several hours of your time. In fact, there is nothing complicated in this whole procedure, and you will be able to cope with this task.
How to choose paint and consumables?
If you decide to restore the steering wheel yourself, then you will need materials to restore and paint this part. It is important to understand that the choice will depend on the budget that you are willing to spend on this procedure. For example, there are both “folk” paint options and professional solutions. The simplest option for painting a leather steering wheel is the most common leather restorer, which can be bought at almost any auto store. But the main disadvantage of using this product is its fragility. A layer of such a coating quickly wears off during intensive use of the vehicle, and if you bought a budget version of the restorer, then you are not insured against traces of paint on your hands, which is also an unpleasant moment.
Another budget solution is to apply leather creams, which are sold for painting jackets and shoes. These products do not belong to the class of auto cosmetics, so they will also wear off quickly and may leave marks on your hands. This also includes nail polishes, which you can use to touch up scratches and chips on the steering wheel.
The best solution would be to select professional paint for painting the steering wheel of a car, as well as restoration products. These include liquid leather, which is used to restore various mechanical damage and complete wear of the coating on the steering wheel, paint for automobile leather, conditioners that smooth the material and polishes to eliminate scratches and unevenness on the surface of the part. There are also products for removing grease stains from the skin, which in any case are formed when hands come into contact with the coating.
If you want to get a matte look at the end of the steering wheel, then special matte coatings are used for the final layer of paint, which eliminate gloss.
Braids with carbon texture
Braid with an unusual design. On both sides of the eco-leather rim there are inserts with a carbon texture, and at the bottom of the braid there are double rings with the same pattern. The braid fits onto the steering wheel as a cover.
Braid with original design. The rim with protrusions is covered with one-color eco-leather. At the bottom there are bright double rings with blue carbon embossing.