Notices
C4 General Discussion General C4 Corvette Discussion not covered in Tech

Shoe polish on steering wheel

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old 05-29-2006, 11:39 PM
  #1  
Sadblack87
Intermediate
Thread Starter
 
Sadblack87's Avatar
 
Member Since: Apr 2005
Location: Saginaw Michigan
Posts: 36
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts

Default Shoe polish on steering wheel

This spring my steering wheel was looking pretty bad on my 87. The leather was dull looking and in places you could see undyed leather peeking through and those cracks in the leather.
While in Walmart I saw some KIWI Scuff Cover for $1.92 and thought why not as I don't want to spend the money for a new wheel right now.
It is a liquid so it is kind of messy. Just use a rag in one hand and polish in the other hand. Maybe a large rag accross your lap. I put on maybe 3 coats on the whole wheel center cap and all except emblem.
I was worried about it comming off on my hands but after 2 months everything is perfect. It wont completely fill the large cracks but the wheel is still shiny black and looking pretty god for 19 years old.
Old 05-30-2006, 12:11 AM
  #2  
Red Tornado
Team Owner
 
Red Tornado's Avatar
 
Member Since: Sep 2002
Location: OBAMA IS HITLER
Posts: 22,209
Likes: 0
Received 11 Likes on 10 Posts
Default

there have been posts in the past (its been quite awhile) about using black shoe polish for the steering wheel to freshen it up. i'm going to polish with a rag using the old paste wax in a can.

good post, thanks for sharing.
Old 05-30-2006, 12:14 AM
  #3  
vinnies87
Le Mans Master
 
vinnies87's Avatar
 
Member Since: Aug 2003
Location: Magnolia Mississippi
Posts: 9,884
Likes: 0
Received 3 Likes on 3 Posts
St. Jude '03-'04-'05-'06-'07
Default

Works great on the emergency handle cover also.... paste is the best, then buff...

ask me how i know...
Old 05-30-2006, 02:22 AM
  #4  
Wayne88
Race Director
 
Wayne88's Avatar
 
Member Since: Jan 2004
Location: Bergen County, NJ
Posts: 18,662
Received 654 Likes on 375 Posts

Default

I used liquid black shoe polish on the shifter boot.
It looks good.
Old 05-30-2006, 03:38 AM
  #5  
JrRifleCoach
Team Owner

 
JrRifleCoach's Avatar
 
Member Since: Sep 2003
Location: Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction.
Posts: 20,161
Received 640 Likes on 444 Posts
St. Jude '03-'04-'05-'06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16-'17-'18-‘19-'20-'21-'22-'23-'24


Default

Been doing this for years. If the leather is really raunchy you can sand it with 160 and many coats of Kiwi. Looks and feels real good.
Old 05-30-2006, 04:13 AM
  #6  
irfrugus
Instructor
 
irfrugus's Avatar
 
Member Since: Nov 2005
Location: Santa Barbara CA
Posts: 101
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

worked great for me. was all faded when i bought it so decided to try it out before i bought a new wheel. looks freaking brand new

kiwi instant wax shine, with self aplicator is what i used
Old 05-30-2006, 08:49 AM
  #7  
WEH 2000C5
Racer
 
WEH 2000C5's Avatar
 
Member Since: Oct 2002
Location: Kingwood TX
Posts: 470
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post

Default

I have fixed my wheel & shifter boot this way. Really is a great way to improve the interior @ no cost .
Warren.
Old 05-30-2006, 08:57 AM
  #8  
Muffin
Race Director
Support Corvetteforum!
 
Muffin's Avatar
 
Member Since: Jun 1999
Location: Merritt Ils Fl
Posts: 14,924
Likes: 0
Received 9 Likes on 7 Posts

Default

[QUOTE=irfrugus kiwi instant wax shine, with self aplicator is what i used[/QUOTE]

I was afraid of paste wax. Guess I was wrong. Kiwi looks good after 4 years however.
Old 05-30-2006, 09:19 AM
  #9  
AGENT 86
Race Director
 
AGENT 86's Avatar
 
Member Since: Jan 2003
Location: Summerland B.C. Canada
Posts: 19,667
Likes: 0
Received 36 Likes on 32 Posts

Default

Thanks for bringing this to my attention. My wheel needs a new lease on life.
Old 05-30-2006, 09:19 AM
  #10  
vpunteney
Pro
 
vpunteney's Avatar
 
Member Since: Jan 2005
Location: Olympia Washington
Posts: 727
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

If it is real bad, first use shoe dye. It is liquid, wear rubber gloves, let it dry good then on to Kiwi. The dye will get into the cracks where you may not be able to get the paist into.
Vinnie
Old 05-30-2006, 09:25 AM
  #11  
AORoads
Team Owner
 
AORoads's Avatar
 
Member Since: Jun 2005
Location: Northern, VA
Posts: 46,104
Received 2,481 Likes on 1,944 Posts
St. Jude Donor '15
"In honor of jpee"

Default

I woulda never guessed it! Thanks for the tips, guys.
Old 05-30-2006, 09:32 AM
  #12  
rstackjd
Drifting
 
rstackjd's Avatar
 
Member Since: Apr 2002
Location: Hartland WI
Posts: 1,817
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts

Default

Wow - I feel better! I did the same thing a few months ago just to see if it would work. I though it did a great job but figured the flames would roast my butt (you used shoe polish on a CORVETTE ?!?! ) so I kept that little secret to myself - glad to see I wasn't alone!

Old 05-30-2006, 02:41 PM
  #13  
Aardwolf
Race Director
 
Aardwolf's Avatar
 
Member Since: Jun 2004
Location: WI
Posts: 12,485
Received 372 Likes on 308 Posts

Default

Last year Fleet Farm had the black polish on sale for fifty cents. Cheapest repair ever!
Old 05-30-2006, 02:53 PM
  #14  
AORoads
Team Owner
 
AORoads's Avatar
 
Member Since: Jun 2005
Location: Northern, VA
Posts: 46,104
Received 2,481 Likes on 1,944 Posts
St. Jude Donor '15
"In honor of jpee"

Default

Originally Posted by rstackjd
Wow - I feel better! I did the same thing a few months ago just to see if it would work. I though it did a great job but figured the flames would roast my butt (you used shoe polish on a CORVETTE ?!?! ) so I kept that little secret to myself - glad to see I wasn't alone!

Tell me this: how could ANYONE ever ROAST your butt in Wisconsin???

I mean, c'mon---we're talkin' upper midwest tundra, baby!!!
Old 05-30-2006, 04:17 PM
  #15  
rstackjd
Drifting
 
rstackjd's Avatar
 
Member Since: Apr 2002
Location: Hartland WI
Posts: 1,817
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts

Default

Originally Posted by LT4CompYell
Tell me this: how could ANYONE ever ROAST your butt in Wisconsin???

I mean, c'mon---we're talkin' upper midwest tundra, baby!!!
I didn't say there wouldn't be some pleasant side effects of it!
Old 06-01-2006, 11:03 AM
  #16  
C4STL
Instructor
 
C4STL's Avatar
 
Member Since: Oct 2005
Location: Creve Coeur Missouri
Posts: 139
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

Originally Posted by Sadblack87
This spring my steering wheel was looking pretty bad on my 87. The leather was dull looking and in places you could see undyed leather peeking through and those cracks in the leather.
While in Walmart I saw some KIWI Scuff Cover for $1.92 and thought why not as I don't want to spend the money for a new wheel right now.
It is a liquid so it is kind of messy. Just use a rag in one hand and polish in the other hand. Maybe a large rag accross your lap. I put on maybe 3 coats on the whole wheel center cap and all except emblem.
I was worried about it comming off on my hands but after 2 months everything is perfect. It wont completely fill the large cracks but the wheel is still shiny black and looking pretty god for 19 years old.
How long does it take to fully dry? Dont want to make a mess of things!HA
Old 06-01-2006, 12:59 PM
  #17  
PLRX
Team Owner

 
PLRX's Avatar
 
Member Since: Aug 2005
Location: Riverside County Southern California
Posts: 34,988
Received 501 Likes on 342 Posts
Co-winner 2020 C4 of the Year - Modified
2018 Corvette of Year Finalist
2017 C4 of Year
2016 C7 of Year Finalist
St. Jude Donor '09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16-'17-'18-'19-'20


Default



Get notified of new replies

To Shoe polish on steering wheel

Old 06-01-2006, 02:13 PM
  #18  
rstackjd
Drifting
 
rstackjd's Avatar
 
Member Since: Apr 2002
Location: Hartland WI
Posts: 1,817
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts

Default

Originally Posted by C4STL
How long does it take to fully dry? Dont want to make a mess of things!HA
I let mine dry over night and then took a towel to it for one more buff before using - no problems

Old 06-01-2006, 07:04 PM
  #19  
JackDidley
Race Director
 
JackDidley's Avatar
 
Member Since: Sep 2003
Location: Database Error Indiana
Posts: 16,615
Received 230 Likes on 162 Posts

Default

Originally Posted by rstackjd
I let mine dry over night and then took a towel to it for one more buff before using - no problems

Works great, but you have to repeat from time to time. I finally gave up and got a wheelskins leather cover for about $30. If the car was something special I would not mind spending the $$$ for a new wheel.
Old 06-01-2006, 08:47 PM
  #20  
JIMBO7
Racer
 
JIMBO7's Avatar
 
Member Since: Jan 2001
Location: Ludlow Ma
Posts: 386
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts

Default

It's leather, just like GI boots. You can spitshine it if you want to! Ask any Gyrene!!


Quick Reply: Shoe polish on steering wheel



All times are GMT -4. The time now is 08:00 PM.