Torn Steering Wheel; recover or replace?

[Rick]

The leather of my steering wheel is knackered!

I've had a quote to for £300 to recover it while getting my seats done, which I'm happy enough with.

But it got me thinking, can I just get another steering wheel for less hassle?

I'm not even sure mines original as it has a superfluous centre horn push.

[cbclotus]

^{Hi Rick .Good luck .not sure ref steering wheel .car looks great ...Mike}

[greentengu]

My ‘86 Federal car has the same center steering wheel push, but in my case at least it doesn’t actually activate anything—it seems like there may have been some provision for a push horn that never got past the drawing board. 

Having seen many nice aftermarket wheels, I’d still have to vote on keeping the original—somehow the shape just seems to fit better with the persona of the interior. However, another wheel may cost quite a bit less. 

As in either case you plan to remove it, you may behoove yourself to purchase a jewelers or eyeglass flat-blade screwdriver to pry off the Lotus emblem gently in order to access the retaining nut underneath it. Just a thought. 

—Scott

[Rick]

I'd want to stay original if I replaced it, but original in better condition.  I've been having a look around and it appears they might not be that easy to come by.

[markt]

That's the original steering wheel. They all look like that after a while (well mine did anyway).

I prefer the one fitted to the S2 JPS, but  hang on to the other one for originality's sake.

[ChrisJ]

That's an Excel steering wheel fitted to a JPS.

[C43]

thats the correct wheel on the JPS S2, my brothers is exactly the same.

and my 84 S3 turbo is the two spoke as show above. Trouble with re covering the wheel is you will then want to do the rest of the interior...

I have seen second hand ones come up for sale.

C43

[gvy]

In my opinion , that is the original momo steering wheel.

Yours is in a bad condition, however mine was not to good either but I refurbished it.

Original state :

http://HPIM4116 by Geert Vijncke, on Flickr

After filling in the cracks with leather filler :

http://HPIM4118 by Geert Vijncke, on Flickr

endresult after priming and painting with leather paint

http://HPIM4121 by Geert Vijncke, on Flickr

[ChrisJ]

1 hour ago, C43 said:

thats the correct wheel on the JPS S2, my brothers is exactly the same.

Whoops, apologies, thought the JPS had the normal S2 steering wheel.

[C43]

3 hours ago, ChrisJ said:

Whoops, apologies, thought the JPS had the normal S2 steering wheel.

no pb, my brother is pretty intent on getting is S2 as close to origial as possible, we seem to have spend a lot of time looking at old photos of the car  

[Rick]

Mine is the '82 Turbo, S3. So would that be the 2 spoke?

 

Wow, that refurb came out amazing!

 

My wheel has a LARGE tear in it though. Could they even be filled? There's not enough leather left in the area to make the sides meet.

[gvy]

Rick,

Yes. This steering wheel became standard on the S3 and turbo around 1980.

About the refurb.

It is badly worn, but if it were mine , I tried to refurb it.

You need leather glue, heavy leather filler and  leather dye products. They are not that expensive, so costwise you  look at may be 70 bpd in products and about 4 hrs work. But it looks a serious wear.

I think I would start cleaning and degreasing using alcohol, then using sandpaper 600 scuffing loose parts. Dont scuff to hard on the stiches. then I would cut a small piece of leather (from an old seat ore something and glue it in place to fill most of the hole. Then you start using the heavy filler. It will need some layers and a heatgun and in between light scuffing. If the shape becomes good, the hard work is done.

Dying it black again with leather paint is simple and durable.

I used HG products for mine. (I did the complete leather interior) and I am very happy with their colourant . But I think you should look at furniture clinic products. look at their basic leather repair kit https://www.furnitureclinic.co.uk/Basic_Leather_Repair_Kit

and leather colourant :https://www.furnitureclinic.co.uk/Leather_Colourant

and because a steering wheel is a heavy used item seal it with a leather finish :https://www.furnitureclinic.co.uk/Leather_Finish_Kit

I was not happy with the HG filler.

 

 

Edited January 14, 2018 by gvy

[C43]

I have used colourlock products on my interior (I believe very similar) and its amazing the finish you can get. Once you start be warned, you can't stop! I have now done the whole of my interior.

 

 

[cbclotus]

Looks fantastic .very nice. ....Mike

[Rick]

That's brilliant guys.

Great advice on the refurb!