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Christmas holiday project: re-dyeing my steering wheel and shift knob. So far, so good! The color and metallic finish are very close to the original. I am using Leatherique Mercedes Alpaca Gray and a couple light coats of Leatherlab+ Mercedes Designo Silver. I taped off the black stitching when re-dyeing the silver part. Now, I must redye the black part of the wheel. Stay tuned for the finished product.
Before. The silver part was wearing off, and the black part had a bunch of scratches. I used Leatherique Super Prepping Agent and 400 grit sandpaper to remove the original dye. I also spent some time cleaning out the perforations.
I used an airbrush to spray 2 coats of Mercedes Alpaca Gray followed by 2 very light, mist coat of Mercedes Designo Silver. Finally, this was clear coated.
It does IMO. As close as its going to get post-factory. The Alpaca Gray is a close shade, and the Designo Silver adds the metallic effect. I think anymore Designo Silver other than a couple of mist coats would have made it too dark. Must remember that the old seat cover is going to have more of a metallic effect because its worn.
It does IMO. As close as I think its going to get ex-factory. The Alpaca Gray is a close shade, and the Designo Silver adds the metallic effect. I think anymore Designo Silver other than a couple of mist coats would have made it too dark. Must remember that the old seat cover is going to have more of a metallic effect because its worn.
I would of liked to have gone that route but the original owner of my car was a GA lady who was heavy with the hairspray and I think it rubbing on her hands and the GA sun, made for peely leather by the time I got the car. After years of searching I found a guy with a burned up C43, and I bought the wheel, floormats, and a couple of other small things off of him.
Your wheel looks brand new!
[QUOTE=unobtanium-inc;7346185]I would of liked to have gone that route but the original owner of my car was a GA lady who was heavy with the hairspray and I think it rubbing on her hands and the GA sun, made for peely leather by the time I got the car. After years of searching I found a guy with a burned up C43, and I bought the wheel, floormats, and a couple of other small things off of him.
Your wheel looks brand new! [QUOTE]
In my nearly two year search for the right solution, I also looked for a replacement wheel to purchase, but never found the right one. I also came across a german eBay listing where the seller had obtained a sheet of perforated leather from the supplier to Mercedes AMG, but I had missed the auction. I came to the conclusion that even though I couldn't get a 100% OEM match, I think I came pretty darn close with the Alpaca Gray overlaid with Designo Silver.
[QUOTE=BVC500;7346616][QUOTE=unobtanium-inc;7346185]I would of liked to have gone that route but the original owner of my car was a GA lady who was heavy with the hairspray and I think it rubbing on her hands and the GA sun, made for peely leather by the time I got the car. After years of searching I found a guy with a burned up C43, and I bought the wheel, floormats, and a couple of other small things off of him.
Your wheel looks brand new!
In my nearly two year search for the right solution, I also looked for a replacement wheel to purchase, but never found the right one. I also came across a german eBay listing where the seller had obtained a sheet of perforated leather from the supplier to Mercedes AMG, but I had missed the auction. I came to the conclusion that even though I couldn't get a 100% OEM match, I think I came pretty darn close with the Alpaca Gray overlaid with Designo Silver.
I also had my headliner done around the same time, it comes as one piece from Mercedes, the box was huge! Wasn't a cheap date but I probably won't have to do it again for 20 more years.
I taped off the black stitching during the respray of the silver part. I ran some thin strips of tape along the length of the stitching. I didn't have to do that with the rest of the steering wheel because I sprayed black over black stitching.
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Looks fantastic!
Sweet!
