Leather treatment/repair/replacement options?

ddddddd

Bought an X
Location
los angeles
Hello everyone, I would like to get some input on my options to fix the nasty rotting leather steering wheel and gear shift knob (tranny not x-fer).

This is what it currently looks like.

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Obviously I can get a replacement shift knob, but does anyone have suggestions, favorite brands, etc? I like the stock knob a lot, better than a sphere or cylindrical design. Leather is preferred, but stainless or other smooth metal would be cool too.

The steering wheel though is harder, it is really expensive to replace the whole wheel, and as far as I know the only other options are covers, which I have always found annoying while driving. Anyone have a truly excellent cover that wont get in the way of steering? I was also thinking there might be a way to condition or treat the leather so as to bring it back to a healthy state? Any input is appreciated.
 

ddddddd

Bought an X
Location
los angeles
Thanks for the link maudeeb. That was a good writeup. Any idea about conditioning the leather though, cause my wheel is already leather, and I would rather not buy a whole new wheel if I can get away with it.
 

Prime

Shut up Baby, I know it!
Admin
Location
Denver Adjacent
You could try a good leather soap. Maybe something good from a saddlery? A place like that is going to have lots of experience with hand wear on leather.

You could also try a strip club.... Speaking of skin contact with leather.

/fun research
 

ddddddd

Bought an X
Location
los angeles
You could try a good leather soap. Maybe something good from a saddlery? A place like that is going to have lots of experience with hand wear on leather.

You could also try a strip club.... Speaking of skin contact with leather.

/fun research

Haha I don't think that is going to help the problem, probably make it worse.

I recently discovered there are steering wheel covers that are more or less permanent, they sew them around the wheel. May have to look into that.
 

Macland

Titan Swapped / SAS'd
Founding Member
For covers you could check out wheelskins.com I believe that's the correct site. They use real leather, I've requested and received samples but never went through with buying anything.
 

metzican

Suspension Lift
Location
Lafaytte, la
Try looking up a leather shop. I know when I layed down my bike and destroyed one of my saddle bags, they did an amazing job on reworking and conditioning it saved me about 400 dollars too. Talk to them see if they have anything you could do or see if they could do it themselves.
 

GedKealmen

Test Drive
Location
Ensenada, MX
Hey Shumanchu, I have a similar situation with my X's steering wheel. The leather gave out at the top and flared so I need to change it... did you find a leather shop that could do a good job or did you try the wheelskins option?
 

tedh1979

Test Drive
Thanks for the link maudeeb. That was a good writeup. Any idea about conditioning the leather though, cause my wheel is already leather, and I would rather not buy a whole new wheel if I can get away with it.

Two good products for leather. Meguirs leather cleaner. My favorite though, before all these leather cleaners were invented, get regular Armor All tire spray, the white spray. Put your vehicle in the direct hot sun. Spray the seats and dash, etc.. and let the sun bake that Armor All into the seats and dash. Then take a towel and very lightly wipe up the excess. I use Meguirs, but when Meguirs fails and I want a really wet look, I use plain old Armor All.

I just bought an 03 Xterra with black leather. The driver's seat has a one inch crack in the leather but the rest of the leather is fine. It isn't cracked but I can tell that it is dry. It needs a deep conditioning.
 
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