A Toyota Corolla steering wheel peeling does not look appealing at all.
The peeling gives the wheel a dated appearance, in addition to making it harder to smoothly run your hand on the wheel as you drive.
There are many reasons why peeling happens to your steering wheel. For instance, it may be due to heat and sunlight. These are common culprits when it comes to the leather cracking. This is why steering wheel issues need to be addressed properly – and there is a way to do that.
Today, we will discuss how to fix a peeling steering wheel on your Toyota Corolla, so you can give it a brand new appearance that you will love. Let’s get started.
Causes Of Toyota Corolla Steering Wheel Peeling
As we have mentioned earlier, your Toyota Corolla steering wheel peeling happens because of too much heat and sunlight. The leather tends to crack as it is frequently exposed to harsh weather.
Moreover, debris and dirt accumulating to the leather material of your steering wheel can cause peeling issues. This is why when you are unable to clean the wheel properly and leave it with dirt accumulation, the leather may eventually peel.
The best way to address this problem is by performing proper conditioning and care techniques. These will help to preserve the integrity of the leather while making sure that the material will not crack or peel sooner.
Now, if you are dealing with a peeling steering wheel, there are a few things you can try to fix it. Keep reading in the next section to learn more about these techniques.
Steps To Fix A Toyota Corolla Steering Wheel Peeling
There are a few steps you need to take to get your peeling steering wheel fixed. Here they are:
1. Get your materials ready.
Before you get started, prepare the materials you will need for the steering wheel restoration. The most important ones you need include a leather filler, leather dye, adhesion promoter, leather conditioner, 600- and 1200-grit sandpaper, tape, thin plastic gloves, car leather cleaning solution, sponge, and a tarp.
You also should perform any leather wheel restoration work with the understanding that you could not use your vehicle in the next few hours. This way, the material can penetrate the leather and do its job in restoring its quality.
It also takes some time to fix a steering wheel. So, you need to make sure that it dries completely first.
2. Cover the interiors
As you work on your steering wheel, it is inevitable for debris and dirt to be flying around. This is why you should cover your dashboard and seats with a tarp to prevent them from being exposed to dirt. You may also want to put tape over some decorative emblems or trimmings on your steering wheel to protect them.
3. Clean the wheel well.
Once you have covered other areas in your car except for the steering wheel, you can now start cleaning it. Use a car cleaning wipe to get rid of debris and dirt on your steering wheel. You should also make sure that you get as much impurities as possible from your wheel.
Keep wiping until the cloth or sponge no longer has any discoloration from cleaning. When you see that the cloth is clear and not darkened at all, it means that you have removed much of the dirt on the surface level.
4. Get the loose peelings out.
Next, you need to start sanding the surface to get those loose peelings out of the steering wheel. Hold your sandpaper right against your wheel and move in a clockwise motion to eliminate these loose peelings.
Do the same thing but in a counterclockwise movement. This way, all weakly-bonded peelings and debris are taken out. Finish this step off with a leather wipe that should further remove sandpaper residue on the leather.
5. Even out the surface
With all the peelings and damaged material out, you can now see some bumps that make the surface appear uneven. You will then use the leather filling and apply it on uneven surfaces. Put your gloves on as you apply this product and press it down to make sure the surface is indeed more even.
Let the product dry naturally. Then, use the 1200 grit sandpaper and run it across the steering wheel to smooth out the surface. Lastly, use your leather wipe to remove more sedimentations left on the wheel after sanding it.
6. Apply your adhesion promoter
Before going to this step, you need to make sure that the steering wheel is thoroughly clean. The last thing you want is to have debris stuck on the steering wheel. After using the leather filler, you will now apply the adhesion promoter to keep the surface more even. Let it dry fully to make sure it sets in.
7. Put some leather dye
If you want to achieve the actual color of the steering wheel, then you can use a leather dye to combine the colors of your leather filling to the material. Your leather dye also helps to restore the texture and shine to the damaged leather wheel.
Begin with just a minimal amount of the leather dye and add a bit more as you keep applying it. But be sure to get any excess dye when you are done. Use a soft cloth or a sponge to make the application more consistent. Then, leave the leather dye on until it dries completely.
Finish it off with a leather conditioner to ensure the smoothness of the material. You should also leave it on to dry and make sure that you do not drive your car as soon as you have finished applying the products mentioned.
Read More: Toyota Corolla Headlights Not Working – Causes And What To Do
Conclusion
A newly restored leather steering wheel may be slippery to the touch. This is why it is important to let the material dry well before driving your car. Sometimes, using a fan can speed the drying process up. Otherwise, wait for a couple of hours or so, and your steering wheel should be just like brand new!