Wood Steering Wheel Repair

HobieMarty · 04-06-2022, 03:43 PM

I have my Dad's Lexus RX 350 and have really enjoyed driving it. It has a wood and leather steering wheel and the top of the wheel has some missing clear coating. Does anyone know how I would go about restoring this? The wood isn't damaged, just that the clear has chipped away. It must've been like this for many years as I do not feel any sharp edges.

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herr_oberst · 04-06-2022, 03:56 PM

Mask off the leather, (All the leather and all the areas that poly and sanding dust might get into and on; it would be best to remove the wheel, but that involves the airbag, so I don't know if that's realistically an option) strip off the rest of the polyurethane, sand, and apply a few coats of poly in the course of a few days.

That's how I'd do it.

LEAKYSEALS951 · 04:13 PM

I'm redoing my 66' wood steering wheel as we speak. Just rubbed the third coat of polyurethane on it. It was much further gone than yours- multiple cracks and dents, which I had to fill in with epoxy, cyanoacrylate, and wood sawdust. Tomorrow I will probably start wet sanding, and spray poly on it for several more coats, sanding, then buffing as needed.

When I'm done I will paint the grey primered arms black.

You've got it easy. fine sand the clear until smooth, add in finish in thin coats. If it doesn't blend, remove the wheel and finish the whole thing. Undoing the airbag is a hassle, but if you remove the battery, and know the battery reconnect procedure for your vehicle, it shouldn't blow up too bad.

Steve Carlton · 04-06-2022, 04:16 PM

What does a wheel like that go for in good shape on eBay?

LEAKYSEALS951 · 04-06-2022, 04:22 PM

^you talkin' to me or Marty?

That's another good idea, the leather wheel on my volvo has gotten worn out several times over. I just buy a new used one off ebay cheap and change it. That's where I learned to disconnect airbags. It's always a sphincter puckering experience.

I bet you could find a used wheel for the lexus if you didn't want to mess with refinishing.

Steve Carlton · 04-06-2022, 04:57 PM

Marty. I'm sure a '66 Porsche wheel would be big bucks!

I'm asking Toyota to goodwill the steering wheel on my 2017. It's not leather, but it looks and feels like it. It's also a known problem with certain models. If they say no, I'm told the interior repair guys can fix it and I'll look into that. I could come up with 2-3 names of guys in the bay area.

HobieMarty · 04-06-2022, 06:12 PM

Thanks for all of the suggestions, I really appreciate it.

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908/930 · 908/930's Garage

I think you should use a two part poly or automotive clear coat also two part, single part polyurethane will likely get sticky from the oils from your hand, or always wear driving gloves, LOL.

A930Rocket · 04-06-2022, 06:26 PM

I don’t have any suggestions, but it sounds like the guys do.

I asked one place what they would charge to recover my 30-year-old Momo suede steering wheel. They came back with $450. I can buy a new one for $200🙄

sc_rufctr · 04-06-2022, 06:34 PM

There's one big problem with restoring that steering wheel Hobie. It looks like the clear coat is slightly colored. You'll have real problems trying to match that with the rest of the wood inside the car. (assuming there is matching wood trim on the doors and dash)

It may be best to try and source a good matching second hand steering wheel (without an airbag$$).

gregpark · 04-06-2022, 07:32 PM

Never tried it but I'll bet Tung oil would be a great finish for a wooden steering wheel. It's a silky smooth finish that's really pleasing to your hand. I've used it on stair rails and furniture. Easy to apply and very durable. I'd do 5 or 6 coats abrading with 0000 steel wool between coats

look 171 · 04-06-2022, 08:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gregpark

Never tried it but I'll bet Tung oil would be a great finish for a wooden steering wheel. It's a silky smooth finish that's really pleasing to your hand. I've used it on stair rails and furniture. Easy to apply and very durable. I'd do 5 or 6 coats abrading with 0000 steel wool between coats

I am not sure how well it will hold up under the blazing sun?

I have used a commercial type clear acrylic from an automotive paint place with very good luck on my old 72 GM truck. It was not the steering wheel where it sits under direct blazing socal hot sun but I made a pair of door handles out of Rock Maple so I can close the door because there are no more original that I can find. Sprayed 7 coats, rubbing out between coats. Held up fine over many years of abuse. Final coat was done with polishing compound then a coat of paste wax. I know it was a bit carried away for a couple of door handles but it was cool to look at.

fintstone · fintstone's Garage

Quote:

Originally Posted by Steve Carlton

What does a wheel like that go for in good shape on eBay?

About $110. Almost not worth the effort.

LWJ · 04-06-2022, 09:17 PM

I’m not a fan of polyurethane. It’s plastic.

Epoxy can be amazing on wood. Sand down with finer grits to a haze and then put a wax coat on.

Did a table that we use daily. It’s nice.

Tung oil is also great as mentioned above.

Not sure about sun resistance for either finish.

sc_rufctr · 04-06-2022, 09:32 PM

Or you could just live with it.... Patina?

HobieMarty · 04-06-2022, 10:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sc_rufctr

Or you could just live with it.... Patina?

True!!!
Thanks for all the suggestions. This was my Dad's vehicle and he passed away this past February. His hands were on that steering wheel so I wouldn't want to replace it with another one.
Thanks for all the input.

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Chocaholic · 04-07-2022, 04:35 AM

Strongly agree. Not sure I would refinish it. It was his hands that wore the varnish off. I’d leave it that way and think about him every time I sat behind the wheel.

KFC911 · 04-07-2022, 04:55 AM

I would leave it just as it is also. So your dad was a "one hand on the wheel at the 12:30 position" eh

?

Probably had his left arm hanging out the window waving at folks too

...

"Let it be...."

HobieMarty · 04-07-2022, 04:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KC911

I would leave it just as it is also. So your dad was a "one hand on the wheel at the 12:30 position" eh

?

Probably had his left arm hanging out the window waving at folks too

...

"Let it be...."

Not sure about that one, he bought the car used about four, maybe five years ago to replace the RX300 that he had, so the steering wheel may have already been like that. He gifted me that RX300 a few years ago. What am I gonna do with two Lexus SUVs??? The 300 has a towing set up which has come in handy.

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