worn steering wheel leather - MG-Rover.org Forums

rob12770 · 16-06-2012, 05:26

Hi All,
ive just bought a 75 in nice condition apart from the steering wheel, is a bit worn in places, is there a method to fix them or is it a case of replace or get a cover ?
cheers Rob

WarrenL · 16-06-2012, 07:33

I've got the same issue on my 105,000 mile Connoisseur. I intend to take it to a little firm I know of that specialises in leather, vinyl and plastic repairs to have the steering wheel worked over a little. It can be done, they've previously done some minor repairs to the seats in my '72 P6B.

wullie480 · 16-06-2012, 08:20

The steering wheels can be dyed.

There's a member on the other side called stubie who sells the dyes.

http://www.the75andztclub.co.uk/foru...ad.php?t=84554

rob12770 · 16-06-2012, 16:08

great, thanks lads, i bought one of those wallnut effect steering wheel covers from halfords for a few quid, tbh it looks ok, but good to know you can get the wheel dyed
cheers rob

rob12770 · 18-06-2012, 06:16

heres a pic of that halfords wheel cover i mentioned..looks not bad, better than a scabby old beige steering wheel

RichandPaula · 02-07-2012, 11:16

I actually like that cover, looks a good match.
How are you finding it now you've had it a while?

stormbind · 02-07-2012, 12:23

I've had that same cover for over a year. Bought it on ebay.

1. The wood-look parts have rubbish grip and offer no insulation (they are freezing cold in winter).

2. The black parts are OK, but shy of specialised high-grip cover.

3. On close inspection, the silver parts are cheap-looking plastic, but most passengers wouldn't see that.

4. Over time (about 20k miles) the silver starts to wear off and turn white.

5. It takes about 1 month for the dizzying toxic fumes from the cover to fade or get used to (not sure which).

6. I put mine on the other way round (upside down?) to reduce the silver bling-effect. I think this also helps keep my hands on the black surface, but not sure.

673NN · 02-07-2012, 12:46

I priced getting a steering wheel recovered by an upholsterer. I think it was £80. I didnt get it done but the leather had worn smooth and was annoying the life out of me. My head has gone the same way.

RichandPaula · 02-07-2012, 15:29

Phew - Thanks for the review - saved me a couple of quid there!

stubie · 02-07-2012, 19:58

Chaps have a look at this thread to see what can be achieved..

http://www.the75andztclub.co.uk/foru...ghlight=stubie

Stubs

stormbind · 03-07-2012, 07:58

Where can you buy the dye?

Some of the better-looking covers I have seen are 100% leather, and they are tied around the inside of the wheel. Most are universal because the tying goes all the way round and you skip whatever sections have an obstruction. I have not seen one fitted to a Rover? Prices and colours vary. It's just a quick example:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/FOR-LAND-R...item3cb290719a

stubie · 03-07-2012, 11:36

Stormbind PM Sent

Stubs

Mischief · 03-07-2012, 18:13

here is my cover i got from halfords:

Looks quite good.

djb · 03-07-2012, 19:46

Im intrigued. That halfrauds wheel looks top notch for the price.
Does it just slip on? I may just buy two and keep one for when the other one wears out.
It really does look pucka

Im gonna go buy one on the weekend

stormbind · 03-07-2012, 19:58

No tools are needed but it is very tight and difficult to stretch. That's good because you don't want it slipping in an emergency situation. On the other hand, if you put it on wonky, it will stay wonky!

It needs to be made warm (I flexed mine a lot and it hurt my thumbs to get it on). I reckon using a a hair dryer to warm it up might make it more flexible.

After 20k miles mine still looks nearly new. I have seen only a touch of wear on the silver bits.

The inside of the cover doesn't close the gap. You will see your steering wheel, so best to thoroughly clean it before adding the cover

Mischief · 03-07-2012, 21:31

Yeah they are tight to get on and if put on wonky you have to start again lol took me 10 mins to get it on lol.

The inner gab is hardly noticable TBH i just didnt want to go through the headache of getting it re-dyed, i have another of these just in case.

16-06-2012, 05:26	#1
rob12770 Registered User Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Glasgow Car: 03 1800 75 SE Posts: 43	worn steering wheel leather Hi All, ive just bought a 75 in nice condition apart from the steering wheel, is a bit worn in places, is there a method to fix them or is it a case of replace or get a cover ? cheers Rob

03-07-2012, 07:58	#11
stormbind Registered User Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Suffolk & Surrey Car: ROVER Posts: 2,262	Where can you buy the dye? Some of the better-looking covers I have seen are 100% leather, and they are tied around the inside of the wheel. Most are universal because the tying goes all the way round and you skip whatever sections have an obstruction. I have not seen one fitted to a Rover? Prices and colours vary. It's just a quick example: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/FOR-LAND-R...item3cb290719a Last edited by stormbind; 03-07-2012 at 08:06.

03-07-2012, 19:58	#15
stormbind Registered User Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Suffolk & Surrey Car: ROVER Posts: 2,262	No tools are needed but it is very tight and difficult to stretch. That's good because you don't want it slipping in an emergency situation. On the other hand, if you put it on wonky, it will stay wonky! It needs to be made warm (I flexed mine a lot and it hurt my thumbs to get it on). I reckon using a a hair dryer to warm it up might make it more flexible. After 20k miles mine still looks nearly new. I have seen only a touch of wear on the silver bits. The inside of the cover doesn't close the gap. You will see your steering wheel, so best to thoroughly clean it before adding the cover Last edited by stormbind; 03-07-2012 at 20:04.

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16-06-2012, 07:33	#2
WarrenL Registered User Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Christchurch, New Zealand Car: 1972 Rover 3500, 2000 Rover 75 Connoisseur 2.5 auto. Posts: 245	I've got the same issue on my 105,000 mile Connoisseur. I intend to take it to a little firm I know of that specialises in leather, vinyl and plastic repairs to have the steering wheel worked over a little. It can be done, they've previously done some minor repairs to the seats in my '72 P6B.

16-06-2012, 08:20	#3
wullie480 Registered User Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Cumnock,Ayrshire Car: 2 x MG ZT CDTI+ 135 Posts: 1,698	The steering wheels can be dyed. There's a member on the other side called stubie who sells the dyes. http://www.the75andztclub.co.uk/foru...ad.php?t=84554

16-06-2012, 16:08	#4
rob12770 Registered User Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Glasgow Car: 03 1800 75 SE Posts: 43	great, thanks lads, i bought one of those wallnut effect steering wheel covers from halfords for a few quid, tbh it looks ok, but good to know you can get the wheel dyed cheers rob

18-06-2012, 06:16	#5
rob12770 Registered User Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Glasgow Car: 03 1800 75 SE Posts: 43	heres a pic of that halfords wheel cover i mentioned..looks not bad, better than a scabby old beige steering wheel

02-07-2012, 11:16	#6
RichandPaula Now available in Red! Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Cheshire Car: 03 CDTi SE Conny Tourer & 04 135 TF Posts: 1,045	I actually like that cover, looks a good match. How are you finding it now you've had it a while?

02-07-2012, 12:23	#7
stormbind Registered User Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Suffolk & Surrey Car: ROVER Posts: 2,262	I've had that same cover for over a year. Bought it on ebay. 1. The wood-look parts have rubbish grip and offer no insulation (they are freezing cold in winter). 2. The black parts are OK, but shy of specialised high-grip cover. 3. On close inspection, the silver parts are cheap-looking plastic, but most passengers wouldn't see that. 4. Over time (about 20k miles) the silver starts to wear off and turn white. 5. It takes about 1 month for the dizzying toxic fumes from the cover to fade or get used to (not sure which). 6. I put mine on the other way round (upside down?) to reduce the silver bling-effect. I think this also helps keep my hands on the black surface, but not sure.

02-07-2012, 12:46	#8
673NN Supporter Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Glasgow Car: 2004 MGTF 160 in XPower Grey, 2004 MGZT+ 1.8 Turbo in Trophy Yellow and 2005 ZR+ 1.4 in XPower Grey Posts: 1,057	I priced getting a steering wheel recovered by an upholsterer. I think it was £80. I didnt get it done but the leather had worn smooth and was annoying the life out of me. My head has gone the same way.

02-07-2012, 15:29	#9
RichandPaula Now available in Red! Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Cheshire Car: 03 CDTi SE Conny Tourer & 04 135 TF Posts: 1,045	Phew - Thanks for the review - saved me a couple of quid there!

02-07-2012, 19:58	#10
stubie Registered User Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Peterborough Car: Rover 75 CDT CONN SE & 2.0 V6 Posts: 513	Chaps have a look at this thread to see what can be achieved.. http://www.the75andztclub.co.uk/foru...ghlight=stubie Stubs

03-07-2012, 11:36	#12
stubie Registered User Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Peterborough Car: Rover 75 CDT CONN SE & 2.0 V6 Posts: 513	Stormbind PM Sent Stubs

03-07-2012, 18:13	#13
Mischief Registered User Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Wolverhampton Car: Rover 75 Club 1.8 Petrol Posts: 31	here is my cover i got from halfords: Looks quite good.

03-07-2012, 19:46	#14
djb Registered User Join Date: May 2007 Location: llantwit major vale of glamorgan Car: Rover 75 Posts: 598	Im intrigued. That halfrauds wheel looks top notch for the price. Does it just slip on? I may just buy two and keep one for when the other one wears out. It really does look pucka Im gonna go buy one on the weekend

03-07-2012, 21:31	#16
Mischief Registered User Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Wolverhampton Car: Rover 75 Club 1.8 Petrol Posts: 31	Yeah they are tight to get on and if put on wonky you have to start again lol took me 10 mins to get it on lol. The inner gab is hardly noticable TBH i just didnt want to go through the headache of getting it re-dyed, i have another of these just in case.

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