OK. So my first post looking for tips......

My daughters newly acquired 500 Lounge has cream interior trim. The steering wheel leather has some wear that I'd like to rectify before we present her with the car.
I've done leather repairs before but mainly on black so I know whats what but my questions are:

Has anyone successfully repaired / improved damage on a cream wheel?
What product / colourant was bought and from where?
What was the end result?

I've thought about changing it to black but all the wheels on evilbay do not come with the airbag. And the cream wheel obviously has a cream bag and a black wheel a black bag.

Here's a shot of the damage (but I guess most have seen it before) along with the gratuitous shot of her first car. It's actually very clean all round.

TIA.

I bought a cream and black leather cover to protect mine from ebay, that might be an option for you? I think it was about £15.

Hello and welcome to the forum.

You can buy kits to repair this sort of damage.

Start by watching one of the many leather repair videos on youtube.

It's more about the colour and what kits people have actually bought for the cream colour, not how it's done. As i say, I've carried out leather repairs / touch ups before with good results. I could end up buying upteen kits that are all the wrong colour?

Not really interested in a cover as the wheel rim is already fairly thick.

Wheel is easy to change rather than repair. Airbag is easy to remove. You could get a replacement for about £30

Cream are thin on the ground, found this
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/steering-...793083?hash=item4b0d4e763b:g:xIwAAOSwiONYQAnB

I've seen on car programs where they "Repaint" the leather to fix problems like this but a straight swap would take only 20 mins, just disconnect the battery.

That wheel looks quite shiny and worn in the picture - may be worth sourcing a replacement.
Perhaps Typecastboy could give a guide of how to change the wheel - he's done lots of jobs on 500s.

B7TMW said:

It's more about the colour and what kits people have actually bought for the cream colour, not how it's done. As i say, I've carried out leather repairs / touch ups before with good results. I could end up buying upteen kits that are all the wrong colour?

Not really interested in a cover as the wheel rim is already fairly thick.

Click to expand...

I have indeed. Next time I change one I will do a video too, but it's quite easy.

John202020 said:

Cream are thin on the ground, found this


I've seen on car programs where they "Repaint" the leather to fix problems like this but a straight swap would take only 20 mins, just disconnect the battery.

Click to expand...

That's actually not too bad a price for a retrimmed wheel. Thanks. Probably worth the money as apposed to the time it'll take me to prep the damage, build up the paint / dye and then refinsh it.

B7TMW said:

It's more about the colour and what kits people have actually bought for the cream colour, not how it's done. As i say, I've carried out leather repairs / touch ups before with good results. I could end up buying upteen kits that are all the wrong colour?

Not really interested in a cover as the wheel rim is already fairly thick.

Click to expand...

Just an option, I bought mine to protect the condition of the cream leather, it is a bit thick on , but you soon get used to it.

Sorted! Picked up a good Lounge steering wheel on eBay for £58. it was filthy but has cleaned up a treat. More to the point, it's improved the interior massively.

Also picked up a set of mats for it. I looked at genuine mats but found these for £25! The fit is perfect and they seem great quality. I fitted some BMW fixings as I cannot stand mats that move about. Thought other owners may be interested if looking for mats.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/121556030181?_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649&ssPageName=STRK:MEBIDX:IT

Over on the Z4 forum that I also participate in loads of guys there have had their steering wheels retrimmed, I've never heard a negative comment about his work, infact I have had a VW steering wheel retrimmed myself to a very high quality, IIRC it was £110 to do including postage back, he offers an advance replacement wheel (for BMW's, not sure about others) just incase the car is your DD.


He does some pretty high end cars but I must admit I couldn't find any cream steering wheels that he'd retrimmed in his gallery.


Ping him an email & ask, no harm in that.


http://royalsteeringwheels.com/


(PS, I am in no way affiliated with this company, just passing on recommendations)