C43 Two-Tone Steering Wheel Restoration
#1
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W202 C43 AMG
C43 Two-Tone Steering Wheel Restoration
Hey guys. I wanted to share this with all W202 owners out there who have two-tone steering wheels or even single color steering wheels that have become faded, worn, or just plain gross to look at/touch.
Just some background, I bought my 1998 C43 AMG 5 months ago. It's Obsidian Black with the two-tone black and ivory interior.
This was my steering wheel as of this morning (I actually cleaned it up a bit and made it look a lot better about a month before this photo was taken):
Look familiar right?
Pretty common issue.
So I'd been searching for different options for my steering wheel. Trying to find an OEM one in better shape ($450+), or have mine re-wrapped ($250-$350) or even converted into carbon fiber ($600-$800).
Then I stumbled upon a great business in Pleasanton, CA. Advanced Interior Restoration, run by Tom and his son-in-law Chris.
They quoted me roughly $200 for the work over the phone.
I had told them that I wanted to make my steering wheel entirely black, since I was afraid restoring it as two-tone would just lead to problems again too quickly. Tom said no problem, it would take a few hours. I dropped it off around noon.
...
Here is what I found when I picked up my car around 5:30pm today (I took the photo when I got home around 7ish):
The work is absolutely amazing. It's almost brand new again. AND they charged me less than what I was originally quoted!
Feels and looks AWESOME, my photo doesn't do it justice.
I'm so incredibly happy to have "completed" the restoration of my interior.
I would recommend these guys to anyone, message me if you're interested and I can refer you, they said they would be happy to take care of anyone I send their way via the forums. (Located in Pleasanton - SF Bay Area, CA)
Let me know what you guys think!
Just some background, I bought my 1998 C43 AMG 5 months ago. It's Obsidian Black with the two-tone black and ivory interior.
This was my steering wheel as of this morning (I actually cleaned it up a bit and made it look a lot better about a month before this photo was taken):
Look familiar right?
Pretty common issue.
So I'd been searching for different options for my steering wheel. Trying to find an OEM one in better shape ($450+), or have mine re-wrapped ($250-$350) or even converted into carbon fiber ($600-$800).
Then I stumbled upon a great business in Pleasanton, CA. Advanced Interior Restoration, run by Tom and his son-in-law Chris.
They quoted me roughly $200 for the work over the phone.
I had told them that I wanted to make my steering wheel entirely black, since I was afraid restoring it as two-tone would just lead to problems again too quickly. Tom said no problem, it would take a few hours. I dropped it off around noon.
...
Here is what I found when I picked up my car around 5:30pm today (I took the photo when I got home around 7ish):
The work is absolutely amazing. It's almost brand new again. AND they charged me less than what I was originally quoted!
Feels and looks AWESOME, my photo doesn't do it justice.
I'm so incredibly happy to have "completed" the restoration of my interior.
I would recommend these guys to anyone, message me if you're interested and I can refer you, they said they would be happy to take care of anyone I send their way via the forums. (Located in Pleasanton - SF Bay Area, CA)
Let me know what you guys think!
Last edited by TunerPlayground; 05-15-2010 at 04:32 AM.
#2
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Hey guys. I wanted to share this with all W202 owners out there who have two-tone steering wheels or even single color steering wheels that have become faded, worn, or just plain gross to look at/touch.
Just some background, I bought my 1998 C43 AMG 5 months ago. It's Obsidian Black with the two-tone black and ivory interior.
This was my steering wheel as of this morning (I actually cleaned it up a bit and made it look a lot better about a month before this photo was taken):
Look familiar right?
Pretty common issue.
So I'd been searching for different options for my steering wheel. Trying to find an OEM one in better shape ($450+), or have mine re-wrapped ($250-$350) or even converted into carbon fiber ($600-$800).
Then I stumbled upon a great business in Pleasanton, CA. Advanced Interior Restoration, run by Tom and his son-in-law Chris.
They quoted me roughly $200 for the work over the phone.
I had told them that I wanted to make my steering wheel entirely black, since I was afraid restoring it as two-tone would just lead to problems again too quickly. Tom said no problem, it would take a few hours. I dropped it off around noon.
...
Here is what I found when I picked up my car around 5:30pm today (I took the photo when I got home around 7ish):
The work is absolutely amazing. It's almost brand new again. AND they charged me less than what I was originally quoted!
Feels and looks AWESOME, my photo doesn't do it justice.
I'm so incredibly happy to have "completed" the restoration of my interior.
I would recommend these guys to anyone, message me if you're interested and I can refer you, they said they would be happy to take care of anyone I send their way via the forums. (Located in Pleasanton - SF Bay Area, CA)
Let me know what you guys think!
Just some background, I bought my 1998 C43 AMG 5 months ago. It's Obsidian Black with the two-tone black and ivory interior.
This was my steering wheel as of this morning (I actually cleaned it up a bit and made it look a lot better about a month before this photo was taken):
Look familiar right?
Pretty common issue.
So I'd been searching for different options for my steering wheel. Trying to find an OEM one in better shape ($450+), or have mine re-wrapped ($250-$350) or even converted into carbon fiber ($600-$800).
Then I stumbled upon a great business in Pleasanton, CA. Advanced Interior Restoration, run by Tom and his son-in-law Chris.
They quoted me roughly $200 for the work over the phone.
I had told them that I wanted to make my steering wheel entirely black, since I was afraid restoring it as two-tone would just lead to problems again too quickly. Tom said no problem, it would take a few hours. I dropped it off around noon.
...
Here is what I found when I picked up my car around 5:30pm today (I took the photo when I got home around 7ish):
The work is absolutely amazing. It's almost brand new again. AND they charged me less than what I was originally quoted!
Feels and looks AWESOME, my photo doesn't do it justice.
I'm so incredibly happy to have "completed" the restoration of my interior.
I would recommend these guys to anyone, message me if you're interested and I can refer you, they said they would be happy to take care of anyone I send their way via the forums. (Located in Pleasanton - SF Bay Area, CA)
Let me know what you guys think!
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#10
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W202 C43 AMG
they're actually a mobile service, they told me that on mon, wed, and fri they're in pleasanton near the lexus dealership because they do work for them there. that's where i dropped off my car.
pm me for the number if interested, i'd feel bad if i posted it out here and it got picked up by those bots that find numbers for telemarketers.
pm me for the number if interested, i'd feel bad if i posted it out here and it got picked up by those bots that find numbers for telemarketers.
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500E Signal Rot
I did the same on my E55 steering wheel, but did not use a 3rd party service. I used Goof Off to remove what remained of the grey so the original leather was completly exposed. The dye I used comes in a can (spray on), actually for vinyl but works equally well on leather. Finished product was perfect and has held up well (did this two years ago)
#12
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Nice shift knob. Who carries it?
Leather can be recolored. It's not hard and I've personally done it a number of times. If the leather looks like crap, then someone may wish to use all the recomendations listed here. If it's just faded, then the leather can simply be cleaned and colored. The same products can be used to make two-toned interiors. It doesn't rub or wash off.
Leather can be recolored. It's not hard and I've personally done it a number of times. If the leather looks like crap, then someone may wish to use all the recomendations listed here. If it's just faded, then the leather can simply be cleaned and colored. The same products can be used to make two-toned interiors. It doesn't rub or wash off.
#14
MBWorld Fanatic!
Nice shift knob. Who carries it?
Leather can be recolored. It's not hard and I've personally done it a number of times. If the leather looks like crap, then someone may wish to use all the recomendations listed here. If it's just faded, then the leather can simply be cleaned and colored. The same products can be used to make two-toned interiors. It doesn't rub or wash off.
Leather can be recolored. It's not hard and I've personally done it a number of times. If the leather looks like crap, then someone may wish to use all the recomendations listed here. If it's just faded, then the leather can simply be cleaned and colored. The same products can be used to make two-toned interiors. It doesn't rub or wash off.
#15
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I've personally used Surflex on a daily driver for several years and it never became sticky or came off. This includes jumping in the car right after playing basketball, and taking the car out to Phoenix AZ . . . . . . in the summer . . . . . . where it doesn't *drop* to 100 degrees until nightfall. Surflex is good stuff. Colorplus has A LOT of standard colors and will custom mix you a batch if you can send them a sample. During the summer in SoCal, Surflex takes about an hour to dry. Two at the most. After that, wait a month before using any leather conditioner.
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1967 Morris Cooper "S", 1983 911SC, 1997 Toyota Tacoma, 1999 HD FXSTB, 1998 C43
Nice work the perforations look great - I did the same (ALL black) the white was a really bad idea, it stays nice for two days. The heat expands the pores and traps dirt, grim, oil etc...I used Alan Gunn at aglausa.com for about $200
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Thanks man. Yeah I was going to try Alan Gunn after I saw your post, but then these guys were local and it only took a few hours so I gave it a shot and it came out great.
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I did the same on my E55 steering wheel, but did not use a 3rd party service. I used Goof Off to remove what remained of the grey so the original leather was completly exposed. The dye I used comes in a can (spray on), actually for vinyl but works equally well on leather. Finished product was perfect and has held up well (did this two years ago)
Does anyone know what spray dye was used in this job?