Scuffs and scratches on a leather steering wheel are annoying but not irreversible.
If you’re like me, then your car is an extension of yourself. You want it to be perfect at all times. But sometimes accidents happen, and a little scratch ends up on your precious steering wheel.
Luckily for us, there are some easy ways to fix these minor accidents! And professional help if we need it.
Scratches in leather steering wheels are repaired by adding a filler to the damaged area, followed by a sealant, and finished off by sanding. DIY methods and leather repair kits are best for minor scratches, while deep scratches require professional services. Some scratches can not be fixed, and a replacement steering wheel is the only option.
Not only is it nice to know how to repair a leather steering wheel, but it’s also even better when you learn ways to prevent it from happening.
Read on for all the juicy details.
Table of Contents
DIY Methods to Repair Scratches On a Leather Steering Wheel
Super Glue Method
The super glue method is best for small rips in Leather Wrapped Steering wheels. These rips typically happen when a ring or bracelet is rubbed too hard across the steering wheel.
You’ll only need a few items that can be easily picked at a convenience store or ordered online from a retailer such as Amazon.
Items Needed: Alcohol, super glue, needle, and sandpaper
I have also included a video at the end of this section, just in case you’re a visual person.
Ok, Here we go!
- Identify areas where the leather is ripped but pieces are sticking up
- Dip your needle into the super glue
- Use a needle to rub a thin layer of super glue inside the rip
- Push the leather down to seal the scratch/rip
- You may need a hard object to press it down. Just Don’t rip the leather
- Wipe Off any excess super glue
- Sand the area and then feel for smoothness
- Polish the area with a 600 grit sandpaper
- Apply the paint
The super glue method can also be used on deep cuts, but you will need to repeat the process multiple times to fill in the gouged area.
Repair Kits
Most leather repair kits involve inserting a cloth as the filler. Then the paint is applied over the filler.
I am a massive fan of using repair kits for leather products such as couches, jackets, pants, chairs, etc. However, I found it more challenging to cut the filler cloth to the correct size, insert it, paint it and then buff it down.
It works…but it’s more work!
You pretty much get the same results as using super glue.
I’ll stick to the more straightforward method.
When To Use a Professional Service to Repair a Leather Steering Wheel?
Professional services should be sought out for deep scratches.
I mean the type of scratches… rather gouges that an “Ex” partner would make after they found out you were sporting an “old fling” around in your car.😬
There is probably no type of material that could fill that kind of hole left in their steering…or the hole you left in their heart.
I also suggest contacting a professional service for scratches when you feel like you will do more harm than good in repairing the scratch. Or if the gouge is so deep that a leather filler wouldn’t work.
But unfortunately, there is more bad news.
Very few professional services will take the time to repair a leather steering wheel. They are more interested in rewrapping the wheel or selling you an aftermarket steering wheel.
Rewrapping a steering wheel could cost me a couple of hundred dollars.
Heck, for that amount, I would purchase another leather steering wheel.
I called major car dealerships in my area to have some scratches removed from a leather steering wheel, and it was like finding water in a desert.
After speaking with my local Audi dealership, I had some luck, and they recommended a company that comes in a few times a week to pick up steering wheels for repair. But repairing steering wheels is not their specialty. They do a lot of other custom work.
But the good news is they were willing to repair minor scratches on my leather steering wheel for less than $65.
Not bad for someone that doesn’t want to do the work themselves.
How Much Does It Cost to Fix a Leather Steering Wheel?
The cost to repair a leather steering wheel ranges from $0 – $20 for DIY repairs. Local auto dealerships typically charge $65 – $100 for minor repairs. While professional re-wrapping services can cost up to $300 which is close to the price of completely replacing the leather steering wheel.
DIY ($0 – $10)
I tip-toed around prices in the proceeding sections of the post. If you are going to go the DIY route, repairing a leather steering wheel should be no more than $10. You only have to pay for the price of some glue, sandpaper, and a needle. It might not cost you anything if you have all of the materials lying around your house.
Leather Repair ($20)
I’m not a big fan of leather repair kits, but they can be used. You can pick up a leather repair kit for less than $20. It will have everything that you need to repair the scratch. But make sure the kit has a method of color matching the paint. Some companies have an online system that will help you mix your paint to blend in with your leather steering wheel.
Local Shops ($65 – $100)
I was lucky enough to find a local shop, and Im sure you could find one as well.
How Much Does It Cost to Re-wrap a Leather Steering Wheel
It cost roughly $200 – $300 to professionally re-wrap for a third party to re-wrap a leather steering wheel.
Redline is one of the more popular 3rd parties that re-wraps steering wheels. Have a look at their site to see soe of their customer work Redline . But then you’re getting up in the price range where you could just purchase a new steering wheel.
3 Foolproof Ways to Prevent Scratches On a Leather Steering Wheel.
Pay Attention To What You Have On
Many of the minor scratches occur from our accessories. It’s easy to forget that as the zipper from your leather jacket could graze across the steering wheel and scratch it. Or the key chain hanging from your belt loop could scratch the steering wheel as you stand up. These things sound simple, but people cry about it all the time in our discussion groups.
I feel bad for them…I really do.
But the best solution is to pay attention to everything you’re doing as you get in and out of the vehicle. It will be a hassle at first, but pretty soon, it becomes second nature.
Remove or Cover Rings and Bracelets
Rings and bracelets can scratch a leather steering wheel. So, if you are wearing any of these items, remove them. Place them in your bag or pocket. If there is no space for them, just take off the bracelet using this method.
Put Wedding and Vow Rings Back On When You Get Out the Car
Sorry, I just had to throw that in there. We don’t want our partners to think that there is any infidelity going on…now do we? Just search around or browse some social media groups. You’ll find tons of horror stories where people have had their steering wheel sliced up due to infidelity.
Be Careful Who Let Valet Your Car
Listen, no one will treat your steering wheel with the love and compassion you do. Valeting your cars saves time except for the one instance where the young valet is careless with your vehicle and accidentally rubs a key across the steering wheel.
And I’m not kidding. Seriously I can’t make this stuff up!
