I just picked up a cherry 85,000 mile, one owner 1999 LS 400 and found 4 or 5 very small cracks that go most of the way around the wheel. I mean around the wheel like your finger would go when wrapped around it. Does anyone know how I can get this fixed? The leather is in great shape and the cracks are small, but it bothers me knowing it's there. I'm very patient and rather good working with my hands, but don't know if it's a lacquer or some type of epoxy based clear finish.

James

 

Almost all of the clearcoats on wood in today's cars are a polyurethane, like the paint on the car itself.

That said, do you have pics, or can you take a couple?

It sounds to me like the wheel took an impact of some kind, be it someones chest or simply an irritated driver slamming their arm(s) down on it during a frustrating driving encounter. Polyurethane is pretty flexible, but only to a point. If the wheel was flexed enough, that could explain the cracks.

And the bad news is, if they are stress cracks, clear through the cover coat, there's nothing you can do but refinish.

But, pics might allow us to give better advice.