Oivey2000

My RX300 has a wood/leather steering wheel. The wood on the steering wheel used to be bright & shiny, like the wood still is around my center console & on the gearshift & doors. However, there is now a milky, dull, opaque film over the wood. There is still a glimmer of bright, shiny wood on the edges where it meets the leather, but the wood looks dull & has lost it's lustre. The dealership said it's probably because of a cleaner/chemical I used and they have no idea if it can be salvaged. I am sure there is a clearcoat finish on the wheel, and I am uncertain if the dullness/film is just on the finish or if it has somehow seeped in to the wood itself underneath? Does anyone have any suggestions as to who I can take the car to to give me an opinion as to if the wood can be re-finished & brought back to what it was before? I am in Maryland and I don't have a clue where to even look to go for an opinion. Thanks!

bob2200

I would think it can be refinished, but I also think it likely that you would be better off (cost and time-wise) replacing it with one from an auto recycler (i.e., junk yard). I have some ideas on home refinishing, but I don't think it would yield a high-quality enough finish.

Oivey2000

someone suggested i use a buffing compound which is safe for clearcoat finishes, since the dull film is most likely on the clearcoat finish & did not go down to the wood itself. my only fear is of ruining the finish, so i might test it on the back of the wheel before i break down & go looking for a junked one

audioboy

Can you post the chemical/cleaner you used so that I can stay away from it? I typically use Armor All, or similar products. What were you using?

I hope you can get your steering wheel shiny again!