Shoe polish on steering wheel
#1
Intermediate
Thread Starter
Member Since: Apr 2005
Location: Saginaw Michigan
Posts: 36
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
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.
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.
#2
Team Owner
Member Since: Sep 2002
Location: OBAMA IS HITLER
Posts: 22,209
Likes: 0
Received 11 Likes
on
10 Posts
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.
good post, thanks for sharing.
#5
Team Owner
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
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.
#6
Instructor
Member Since: Nov 2005
Location: Santa Barbara CA
Posts: 101
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
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
kiwi instant wax shine, with self aplicator is what i used
#8
Race Director
[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.
I was afraid of paste wax. Guess I was wrong. Kiwi looks good after 4 years however.
#10
Pro
Member Since: Jan 2005
Location: Olympia Washington
Posts: 727
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
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
Vinnie
#11
Team Owner
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"
I woulda never guessed it! Thanks for the tips, guys.
#12
Drifting
Member Since: Apr 2002
Location: Hartland WI
Posts: 1,817
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
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!
#13
Race Director
Last year Fleet Farm had the black polish on sale for fifty cents. Cheapest repair ever!
#14
Team Owner
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"
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!
I mean, c'mon---we're talkin' upper midwest tundra, baby!!!
#15
Drifting
Member Since: Apr 2002
Location: Hartland WI
Posts: 1,817
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
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 mean, c'mon---we're talkin' upper midwest tundra, baby!!!
#16
Instructor
Member Since: Oct 2005
Location: Creve Coeur Missouri
Posts: 139
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
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.
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.
#17
Team Owner
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
#18
Drifting
Member Since: Apr 2002
Location: Hartland WI
Posts: 1,817
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Originally Posted by C4STL
How long does it take to fully dry? Dont want to make a mess of things!HA
#19
Race Director
Member Since: Sep 2003
Location: Database Error Indiana
Posts: 16,615
Received 230 Likes
on
162 Posts
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