I was looking at my steering wheel this morning and noticing that the leather or whatever material it is covered with is starting to wear out. Whenever it is humid out my hands get stuck to it and little pieces of it come off. What all has everyone done with their steering wheel? I know to replace it is complicated having the airbag in it and all. Is it possible to have someone just cover it while still installed on the car? Or would it be cheaper to just buy one off a part-out and have a shop swap them?

 

Owners of high mileage cars are all going to be facing this soon. The trouble is steering wheels seem to be one of the things that first disappear from the maker's inventory. Back when I had a TransAm and needed a wheel, the only color GM could supply was red and this for a tan interior.

I'd suggest shopping for a used wheel or wrapping yours. The wraps are never as satisfactory as the original wheel but will get you by.

 

Be glad it only looks like that!!! This is a problem on all evos, esp ones in hot climate i have 50k on my 05 and it looks alot worse than that F$%^& Florida heat!!

 

My wheel is like that too and I was planning on getting it wrapped in alcantara. Feels just like suade but will last a lot longer. Though I heard that it will tear you hands up if you constantly drive without gloves on...

Here's an ex:

Though I wouldn't wrap the middle part of the wheel. Just the wheel itself.

 

armor all???

 

I say rewrap or buy used. I'm in the same boat as you. Mine is destroyed across the top, and the wheel has pink paint specks all over the wheel. If you didn't already know a new steeringwheel cost about 1k

 

That's what I was figuring it would cost so I definitely don't want to go that route unless it's last resort. Maybe I'll make a call to some upholstery shops and see what they would suggest.

 

mine is about 10 times worse than yours & i had that problem early this morning really bad.. everytime i went somewhere i would go into the bathroom and wash off my hands because of that black crap. i hate steering wheel covers and really only like leather.. im probably going to try to find a newer one or just wrap it but dont have a clue yet.

 

That looks badass. How much and where can this be done?

 

The wheel looks very dirty. It's no slam on the OP. Over time, dirt combines with the oil in one's hands and forms its own coating, if you will. Before anything, I'd strongly suggest a good cleaning. Get a small bowl of warm water, add a drop of dish washing liquid and a splash of isopropyl alcohol from the drug store. Dip a brush into the mixture and scrub the surface of the wheel. Good luck.

 

it might be cheaper to repolsture

 

Get a new one. The stock wheel gets boring at times. lol

 

Rewrap it should be cheaper than a whole new wheel but might not look as good, or you could get a second hand one most of them would probably have wear and tear anyhow.

 

I'd replace it but that's just me.

 

You can find a replacement for much less than it would cost you to reupholster. After that you can sell your old one for someone looking for one with an airbag to recoup some funds.