I'm picking up a one-owner 2000 GLT SE for my son today. Forest Green with tan leather. One issue is the steering wheel is really trashed. A combination of dirty, worn leather, and leather seems to have loosened and has ridges in it.



Aside from replacing the entire steering wheel unit, is there an easier and more economical way of replacing the leather on the steering wheel?

 

IPD USA sells a wheel wrap. It covers the wheel. It is made of leather and you stich it on yourself, well lace it on.

I have one myself and it is very nice. Have had it now for over a year.

To clean it use a damp cloth no cleaners or anything of the like. Maybe a mild soap at the most with water.

 

I would also cover it it.

 

I would clean it with some sort of antibacterial hand wipe and then use a leather conditioner. The reason for the leather breaking down as for most leathers in a car, the leather is exposed to oils and different substances that we come into contact prior to touching the leather and then it is transfered to the leather. over time the pH of the leather is changed, then it gradually becomes brittle and falls apart. I use antibacterial baby wipes from walmart to clean the leather in my 850 and once dried off, I apply a leather conditioner (http://www.bickmore.com/bickmore/Lea...are/Bick4.html) to soften the leather but also to maintain the pH of the leather! I do this to my steering wheel every 2 weeks. Good Luck!

 

Buy a used one off Ebay and swap it out. Or do a IPD wrap like S70driver suggests.

 

http://www.ipdusa.com/Volvo-850/Inte...p-72-158-1817/

 

The wrap is the way to go. Have one myself and its nice!

 

How do the wraps feel compared to the normal wheel? I have the same problem as MasS70. When I bought my car, the previous owner had one of those Walmart type covers, which I despised. I like the feel of the wheel the way it is stock. I'm pretty picky about steering wheel feel.

 

OP Here. Thanks for the ideas/suggestions. I'm going to try the antibacterial approach, followed by some conditioner. If that doesn;t do the job, I'll go with the wrap suggested. I also despise the cheap WalMart type wraps, so I'm hoping the ipd one is vastly different. Thanks Again.

 

I dont belive walmart carried a cover like this. I have seen these and essentially when you are finished with the stiching, it should be like what you have on there!

 

So, you cut off the existing wrap and replace it with the ipd one, or the ipd one gets stitched on over the existing wrap? Also,the seats are in much nicer condition than nornal for a Volvo this age and I'd like to keep them nice. Do you also use the leather conditioner on the seats?

 

I love how the IPD wrap feels. Its excellent quality, although putting it on can be a slight pain its definitely worth it.

 

Mine is stitched right over the wheel. Makes it feel a little thicker, and for me more solid which I love.