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First of all, im new to the forum and i want to take this chance to say Hello to everyone in this ClubLexus
Secondly, i would love to get some help or any ideas on how to fix or recondition my steering wheel leather. It fades right at the left corner. Please take a look at the pictures and if you guys don't mind,
help me out with any suggestions on how to fix this.
Thanks you guys !
Steering wheel leather may be the most difficult interior item to 'fix'.
I've tried, with other vehicles, in the past, and honestly, the best solution is a local upholstery shop specializing in automotive leather...however, remember there are wires under there for the heater.
I'd say you might attempt to re-dye it, but I fear you'd always get it on your hands when driving.
It's gotta be re-dyed, I would take it to a leather shop. Won't be expensive and the result will be awesome.
^^^^^
yep... this... or if you browse the web, there are some kits you can find to try to do it yourself. I wouldn't, considering it's not an invisible spot !
Its semi aniline , most of the color is still there its just scuffed a bit
Don't you get tired of playing out this "Mr know it all" fantasy online every day ?
LOL, not sure where that came from. What did I do to pee in your cornflakes today? If you don't want to read what I post, put me on your ignore list. Sorry for being knowledgeable
Anyways, the leather in the car is coated with a clear urethane coating. Whenever you see exposed hide like that, the coating has failed and the only way to repair it is to redye and recoat the leather. The leather being "semi aniline" doesn't mean anything, all that means is the leather is dyed all the way through, it's still coated and if you see exposed hide it's still a failed coating and it still needs to be redyed.
Trying to clean that type of wear in my experience will make it look worse.
LOL, not sure where that came from. What did I do to pee in your cornflakes today? If you don't want to read what I post, put me on your ignore list. Sorry for being knowledgeable
Anyways, the leather in the car is coated with a clear urethane coating. Whenever you see exposed hide like that, the coating has failed and the only way to repair it is to redye and recoat the leather. The leather being "semi aniline" doesn't mean anything, all that means is the leather is dyed all the way through, it's still coated and if you see exposed hide it's still a failed coating and it still needs to be redyed.
Trying to clean that type of wear in my experience will make it look worse.
So then explain why someone would need to re-dye leather that still has all its color? Do you want to retract your previous statement and say perhaps maybe the wheel needs to be only re-cleared ?
Semi aniline has everything to do with it, as the color is in the leather itself, and hasn't been removed. These wheels mark easily but bounce back just as quick.
Make it worse by using a leather treatment? Why don't we put a wager on it..... you have paypal?
The process of redying leather doesn't work that way. They don't just "reclear" leather. They sand the leather down, redye it and then replace the topcoat. A member just had this done to his seat of his LS460. I have had and seen this exact sort of wear on multiple steering wheels, a redye is the only permanent solution in my experience.
Yes the the color is in the leather itself, but that's not the issue, the issue is the topcoat has failed. You are also assuming that he has semi aniline leather, not all LS460s do. Mine doesn't.
Why would I want to wager with you? Not sure why you feel the need to try and "compete" with me. OP asked for advice, you posted your thoughts and I posted mine. He can decide what course he wants to take.
Just a thought before you spend any money...I don't know what year your car is but maybe have Lexus look at it first at your next service appointment if you use them for service? I have had good results with some goodwill gestures for premature wear. That steering wheel looks like it is a lot more worn than most I have seen...could be manufacturer defect? I know they are having some issues with the non-leather parts but maybe yours does have a coating issue?
I don't see any reference to the OPs car having semi-aniline leather(?) In any event I don't know if cars with semi-aniline leather seats have semi-aniline steering wheels(?) Quick fixes never worked on the leather cover on my RX300 - In the end, I learned to just live with it.
By all means, try Leatherique and perhaps some black dye - once its dry you shouldn't have any issues with the color coming off on your hands if you use solvent based dye (not water based).