Too much 'Patina'?! Show me yours!

[kav]

When is vintage patina too much? When do you make the call to repair and take away that originality?

This vintage Momo Monza steering wheel came on my car. It had a horrible steering wheel cover hiding the torn leather. One of the first things I bought for the car was a new Momo Prototipo and put the Monza aside.

The more I look at it hanging on the wall, the more I like it and want to put it back on the car. But the damage to the leather bugs me and doesn't feel good in your hands.

Is this too much patina? Should I have the wheel recovered or run with it keeping it's originality?

Show me your 'patina' parts!

Cheers.

-Kav.

[pkabush]

I totally understand wanting to keep the patina but that’s a pretty big hole in the leather.
I’d be tempted to have it recovered in distressed leather.

[Antomero]

I would have it recovered in Alcantara. IMO

[manbridge 74]

Most overused word ever. But I get it….

Recover and add some wear marks is what I’d do. If I really liked the part.

[kav]

Any recommendations for a good place to get it recovered?

The Monza looks a little more involved than the Prototipo.

Cheers

-Kav

[pkabush]

Dallas custom steering wheel gets good reviews here. I’ve never used them though.

[PrairieDriver]

+1 for Dallas Custom Steering Wheel. In October they refinished the original wheel on my ‘71. They did a perfect job and were easy to deal with. Turnaround time was surprisingly short, which was important since I don’t own a backup wheel. My car was off the road for about 12 days (including round trip delivery of the wheel from the Chicago area).

[icarp]

Kav, why don't you just have the upper part recovered , I have done this in the past .
A seam at each spoke . have the old leather matched as best as you can
Just a thought , I also have heard good things about dallas
Ian

[PrairieDriver]

Further to my post made earlier today, here are some before and after pictures of the steering wheel refinished by Dallas Custom Steering Wheels

[kav]

Thanks so much or the recommendation! I will check them out. Can i ask how much they charged for such a good job?

Cheers.

-Kav.

[Reiver]

Bro, that's not 'patina' that is old and wore out... when distressed jeans were a thing it didn't include a hole in the crotch area.

[kav]

Originally Posted by Reiver

Bro, that's not 'patina' that is old and wore out... when distressed jeans were a thing it didn't include a hole in the crotch area.

Hahaha!!

[PrairieDriver]

Not cheap. $399 plus shipping. Leather is as perfect as one would hope; great hand feel.

I interacted with Donald Le (dallascustomsw@yahoo.com). My bet is that he would provide a quote including various options within 48 hours. Very easy to work with.

[GH85Carrera]

The steering wheel is the one part that your hands are in constant contact with. It is right in front of your face and gets looked at all the time.

My steering wheel was worn and discolored and the threads were coming out. It was simply ugly. Dallas steering wheel made it the perfect color match to my interior once again, and it is joy to touch and use.

Screw the patina bit, make it look and feel right. It will get wear and use and it will be your wear and use marks that come from real driving. I am very happy that I had Dallas Steering wheel fix mine.

[pkabush]

I definitely agree that that wheel is to far gone to use. However, to me, it’s like repainting a classic car. Sure, the car looks shiny and new after fresh paint. But, the originality is then gone forever.
I like the idea of recovering just the top half with leather that’s matched as close as possible.
Stacked MoMo wheels are pretty rare these days.

[Coastr]

Recover the leather and leave the rest. With your grubby mitts grabbing it all the time, steering wheel leather is the first thing to get patina.

[sugarwood]

Treat yourself and restore the Monza

[Reiver]

If you like the look have it restored with distressed leather.

[Cairo94507]

Another vote for Dallas Customs; they did the wheel on my '71 914-6.