Scratches, gouges, and other damage to a car’s steering wheel can occur over time through normal wear and tear. Rings, watches, and keys can leave behind scratches, while accidents or acts of vandalism may cause gashes or gouges in the steering wheel material.
Whatever the cause, steering wheel damage is an eyesore that detracts from the look and feel of the vehicle interior. The good news is that there are several effective Fix Scratch On A Steering Wheel methods that can be used to repair this damage.
Clean And Assess The Scratch
The first step is to thoroughly clean the steering wheel to remove any dirt, grease, or grime that may be present. Pay special attention to cleaning the scratched area. Once clean, carefully examine the scratch to assess the depth and severity. Very minor surface scratches can often be buffed out, while deeper scratches may require filling and refinishing.
Use a soft cloth and a gentle cleaning solution. Avoid using harsh chemicals or abrasives. Make sure to completely dry the steering wheel once cleaning is complete. Proper inspection and cleaning lays the foundation for the repair process.
Employ Quick Fixes For Minor Scratches
If the scratch is very minor and only affects the surface finish, then there are a few quick tricks that can make it less noticeable:
Use Toothpaste
The mild abrasives in toothpaste can help buff out small scratches in the steering wheel. Apply a small amount of toothpaste to a soft cloth and gently rub it into the scratch using circular motions. The abrasives will work to smooth and blend the scratched area. Finish by wiping away any excess toothpaste.
Try Rubbing Alcohol
Rubbing alcohol’s solvent properties help break down waxes and oils that get lodged in scratches. Pour some alcohol onto a microfiber cloth and rub it vigorously over the scratched section. This can help clean out and minimize small scratches.
Use Olive Oil
The oils in olive oil can bring moisture back into dried and scratched leather or vinyl. Rub a small amount of olive oil into the scratched area using a soft cloth and let it soak in for a few minutes. Then buff away any excess oil with a clean cloth.
Employ Filling And Touch-Up Solutions
Fix Scratch On A Steering Wheel techniques like filling and touch-up painting can hide deeper scratches and gouges that simple buffing won’t fix. Here are some options:
Use a Scratch Filler Stick
There are filler sticks made specifically for use on leather, vinyl, and plastic that can fill deeper scratches and gouges. Simply rub the filler stick over the scratch to fill it and wipe away any excess. The color-matched filler creates an invisible fix.
Try a Touch-up Paint Pen
For steering wheels with a painted plastic or wood finish, a touch-up paint pen can effectively obscure scratches. Dab the pen into the scratch and along the edges for full coverage. Let dry per the product instructions.
Use Super Glue for Plastic Wheels
A drop of super glue in a deep scratch on a plastic steering wheel can form a barrier to make the flaw less visible. Apply a small drop, let dry, then lightly buff. Be cautious not to get glue on the unaffected area.
Refinish Heavily Damaged Areas
If there are significant gouges, chips or cracks in a steering wheel, more intensive refinishing may be necessary for an effective Fix Scratch On A Steering Wheel. Take extreme care not to further damage the steering wheel in the process.
Lightly Sand the Damaged Area
Use fine (400-600 grit) sandpaper to lightly sand the damaged portion of the steering wheel and feather the edges. This prepares the area for paint or primer adhesion. Avoid excess pressure that can further damage the wheel.
Apply Primer and Touch-up Paint
After sanding, clean the area thoroughly. Apply thin coat primer and allow it to dry fully per the manufacturer instructions. Follow by painting thin finish coats in the original interior color. Allow proper drying time between paint coats.
Consider Professional Steering Wheel Refinishing
For steering wheels with extensive damage, it may be best to have the wheel professionally refinished for maximum results. This includes stripping off the old finish, plastic filler or wood epoxy repairs if needed, priming, painting, and clear coating. Though more costly than DIY repairs, professional refinishing will make severely damaged steering wheels look like new again.
Can You Fix The Scuffed Leather Steering Wheel?
Yes, it is possible to fix a scuffed leather steering wheel. Start by cleaning the wheel thoroughly with a leather cleaner to remove any dirt or oils. For light scuffs, use a leather conditioner to gently buff the area, which can help blend the scuffs. For deeper scuffs, use a leather filler product to fill in the scuffed area, let dry completely, and then buff smooth.
You can apply leather dye or colorant to match the original color if needed. Avoid cheap products that can damage leather further. With quality leather products and some time and care, scuffed leather steering wheels can often be restored close to original condition.
How Do You Fix A Chipped Steering Wheel?
For small chips in a leather steering wheel, clean thoroughly and apply a thin layer of flexible vinyl/leather repair compound to fill the chip, smoothing over the edges. Allow adequate drying time. You can then use a leather colorant or dye matched to the wheel color to blend the repaired area.
For deeper chips, the steps are similar but you may need to apply multiple layers of filler compound to build up the depth, drying between layers. Sanding and priming may be needed before painting the area with touch-up paint. Larger chips may require professional repair. Protect the wheel after repair to prevent future damage.
Can Scratched Leather Be Fixed?
Yes, scratched leather can often be fixed, especially if the scratches are shallow. First clean the leather thoroughly to remove dirt and debris from the scratch. For light surface scratches, rubbing the area with a leather conditioner can help buff out the appearance. For deeper scratches, work a leather scratch filler into the scratch and let dry completely.
Buff to blend in. Leather dye or colorant can help the filled area blend with the surrounding leather. Avoid over-rubbing, which can damage the leather further. Patience and quality leather repair products are key to fixing scratched leather. Severely damaged leather may need professional repair or replacement.
How Do You Repair Scraped Leather?
For scraped leather on items like steering wheels or furniture, start by gently cleaning with a leather cleaner and brush to get into the scrape. Use a leather filler product, applying thin layers and drying in between, until the scrape is filled level with the surface. Buff away any excess once dry. Applying leather dye over the area can help match the color.
Avoid cheap glue or superglue which could further damage the leather. Condition the leather after repairing a scrape to restore suppleness. Take steps to prevent future scrapes which could further compromise the integrity of the leather. Professional repair may be needed for severely scraped leather.
Steering Wheel Cover Options
If all else fails, consider covering up damaged areas of a steering wheel with a cover:
- Leather steering wheel covers can effectively hide scratches and worn areas on leather wheels.
- Custom-fitted rubber or silicone steering wheel covers are available to disguise flaws on plastic, leather or wood.
- If visibility is the only concern, opt for a colored cover to distract the eye from damaged spots.
Steering wheel covers provide an easy and affordable way to improve the look of worn or flawed steering wheels.
How To Prevent Steering Wheel Scratches?
An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure when it comes to maintaining your steering wheel. Here are some tips to prevent scratching and damage:
- Use a steering wheel cover or wrap when driving to protect from keys, jewelry, nails, etc.
- Keep keys, phones or other objects on a lap or in a purse rather than holding them while driving.
- Clean with a soft microfiber cloth only—no harsh chemicals.
- Handle the wheel gently and avoid hitting it with hard objects.
- Consider wearing soft cotton gloves while driving.
By taking measures to prevent scratches in the first place, you can save the effort of future repairs.
Summing Up
There are a variety of effective Fix Scratch On A Steering Wheel repair techniques ranging from quick buffing fixes to more intensive refinishing methods. With some care and effort, moderate to even severe steering wheel scratches and damage can often be minimized or eliminated for an improved interior appearance. Preventative steps also go a long way toward keeping your steering wheel scratch-free for the long run.
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