steering wheel dye
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 655
Likes: 2
From: Rio Vista ca.
steering wheel dye
I've been using black shoe polish, both paste and cream, to cover the "scuff marks" on my steering wheel. They work fine but only last for a couple of drives. Has anyone here tried dyeing the wheel for a more permanent fix. My wheel is in great shape except for the scuff marks so I don't want to replace it.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 2,619
Likes: 1
From: Whidbey Island Washington
I've been using black shoe polish, both paste and cream, to cover the "scuff marks" on my steering wheel. They work fine but only last for a couple of drives. Has anyone here tried dyeing the wheel for a more permanent fix. My wheel is in great shape except for the scuff marks so I don't want to replace it.
I've used their black on my '96 interior parts including steering wheel and also sent them a small piece of leather from the under seat bottom for my Allante. Got a Perfect match when used on driver's seat, shift lever, door grips etc. Great service and communications from customer service reps!
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 655
Likes: 2
From: Rio Vista ca.
Thanks for the link, ZRWON. I checked out their website. Seems like they have their act together. I'll probably get their dye kit if I can't find something a little cheaper, although there's probably enough in that kit to do the wear lines in my seats as well.
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 1,057
Likes: 2
From: Ohio
I used black shoe dye first. Let it dry, then lightly polished it.
Worked great! It's a very small thing that makes a good improvement in the overall impression of the car.
I didn't use anything special, just black shoe dye and black shoe polish. Highly recommend it.
Worked great! It's a very small thing that makes a good improvement in the overall impression of the car.
I didn't use anything special, just black shoe dye and black shoe polish. Highly recommend it.
Racer
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 272
Likes: 0
From: Westfield IN
I used the Eckler's steering wheel cover. It looks okay, but has some lumps where the big spokes are (86L) where there is no lacing. I might pull it off and try the shoe polish trick. Wish I had thought of that first!
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 73,568
Likes: 33
From: Somewhere in Mo
St. Jude Donor '09-'10, '14
this is the one I got. you may find them a little less expensive at Mid america
http://www.shopsar.com/v/Wheelskins/...FRwpawodIXLe0w
http://www.shopsar.com/v/Wheelskins/...FRwpawodIXLe0w
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer
Brett Foote
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years
Joe Kucinski
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!
Michael S. Palmer
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!
Joe Kucinski
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 8,735
Likes: 412
From: WV
I used the black shoe polish that is a bottled liquid ,you put it on with a little ball type applicator. Holds up pretty well because it soaks in better.If your going to get a cover, Wheelskins is the best, takes a while to stitch them up but they look great...WW
Last edited by WW7; Apr 2, 2009 at 12:56 PM.
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 73,568
Likes: 33
From: Somewhere in Mo
St. Jude Donor '09-'10, '14
That is my thoughts also. If you follow the directions and TAKE YOUR TIME they look great when your finished. Almost can't tell it's a cover. I have the Red and Black retro. Looks great in my red/black interior and kinda helps bring the Red to the dash area. Wish I had pics to share but I will as soon as the weather allows to wax and polish.
Racer
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 272
Likes: 0
From: Westfield IN
Thanks for the thread guys- you've motivated me to do "something"! A quick search got me to the Wheelskin site- upon request, they will send you a new needle and thread. I'm going to try again, and see if I can do a better job!
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 73,568
Likes: 33
From: Somewhere in Mo
St. Jude Donor '09-'10, '14
One last thought on the covers. When you are lacing the cover and going around the spokes be carefull when you get around the spoke to make sure you start back up lacing the proper holes. If you do not you will get little "bubbles" in lacing. I did this once so I had to undo a portion of it and get it lined back up properly. As long as you stay lined up in regards to your two lacing holes it will come out fine.
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 655
Likes: 2
From: Rio Vista ca.
One last thought on the covers. When you are lacing the cover and going around the spokes be carefull when you get around the spoke to make sure you start back up lacing the proper holes. If you do not you will get little "bubbles" in lacing. I did this once so I had to undo a portion of it and get it lined back up properly. As long as you stay lined up in regards to your two lacing holes it will come out fine.
Racer
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 272
Likes: 0
From: Westfield IN
Yes they did- generic directions though. My trouble was when I got to the spokes- there are no dummy holes there, and I couldn't exactly make a smooth trasition around the spokes.
Pro
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 713
Likes: 0
From: Commerce Twsp Michigan
I've been using black shoe polish, both paste and cream, to cover the "scuff marks" on my steering wheel. They work fine but only last for a couple of drives. Has anyone here tried dyeing the wheel for a more permanent fix. My wheel is in great shape except for the scuff marks so I don't want to replace it.
semcoatings.com
Racer
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 301
Likes: 0
From: Seattle / Tacoma area Washington
I tried a cover kit too. And much like Myred86, I had some issues around the 2 large spokes. My kit had no dummy holes either, but it came out ok. I have some gaps there. Not great but better than what was there before though.
If I was to try it again, I would get a pair of those things the doctors use to to do stitches. One of the problems I had was keeping the tension on the line, I think that would help a lot too, keeping the seam tight.
But maybe one day, I will pay the bucks and get me a new steering wheel.
Harry
If I was to try it again, I would get a pair of those things the doctors use to to do stitches. One of the problems I had was keeping the tension on the line, I think that would help a lot too, keeping the seam tight.
But maybe one day, I will pay the bucks and get me a new steering wheel.
Harry
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 73,568
Likes: 33
From: Somewhere in Mo
St. Jude Donor '09-'10, '14
I tried a cover kit too. And much like Myred86, I had some issues around the 2 large spokes. My kit had no dummy holes either, but it came out ok. I have some gaps there. Not great but better than what was there before though.
If I was to try it again, I would get a pair of those things the doctors use to to do stitches. One of the problems I had was keeping the tension on the line, I think that would help a lot too, keeping the seam tight.
But maybe one day, I will pay the bucks and get me a new steering wheel.
Harry
If I was to try it again, I would get a pair of those things the doctors use to to do stitches. One of the problems I had was keeping the tension on the line, I think that would help a lot too, keeping the seam tight.
But maybe one day, I will pay the bucks and get me a new steering wheel.
Harry
Take your time and keep the lacing tight and they do look very good.
Safety Car
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 3,939
Likes: 1
From: Vero Beach Florida
Here is a shot of the cover I use heavy grade leather full lacing. Most after market guys carry them.
I have tighten up the little wrinkel on outside spoke since photos
I have tighten up the little wrinkel on outside spoke since photos
Last edited by floridamale; Apr 2, 2009 at 06:04 PM.
Team Owner
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 34,873
Likes: 487
From: Lacey WA RVN 68-69
NCM Sinkhole Donor
When I got my 87, the steering wheel was showing lots of white or gray spots where the original dye was going away. I bought some black Kiwi Leather Dye at a local department store. It's a small (2.5oz) bottle with a sponge applicator.
I took the time to thoroughly clean the steering wheel with warm soapy water followed by some leather cleaner. I let it dry for a day and then applied 3 coats of the leather dye waiting for each coat to become nearly dry. I let that sit for 24 hours with the car in my garage and the window down.
After the steering wheel was completely dry, I applied some Groit's Garage Leather care. That was 3 years ago and the steering wheel is still nice and black. The leather has not cracked anywhere and is still soft.
I took the time to thoroughly clean the steering wheel with warm soapy water followed by some leather cleaner. I let it dry for a day and then applied 3 coats of the leather dye waiting for each coat to become nearly dry. I let that sit for 24 hours with the car in my garage and the window down.
After the steering wheel was completely dry, I applied some Groit's Garage Leather care. That was 3 years ago and the steering wheel is still nice and black. The leather has not cracked anywhere and is still soft.
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 73,568
Likes: 33
From: Somewhere in Mo
St. Jude Donor '09-'10, '14
looks great, that's what I have been trying to explain. Thanks for the pic.