ScoobyForLife27

iTrader: (14)

As above.
Bought a OMP steering wheel (suede) which need to be refreshed.
Car is mainly used as daily driver but I'm planning to do some track and start racing from next year (Track Day Trophy series).
Car is used mainly for going to work and back (10 miles both ways) so not much use. Roughly 300miles a month. I don't really want myself look stupid by wearing gloves when going work or shopping.

I know suede and alcantara don't last long without using gloves but gives perfect grip. Also heard about gloves that works really good on leather.

CONFUSED.COM :-)

ScoobyForLife27

iTrader: (14)

Any suggestions ?

dazzaturbo

I had a nardi personal wheel on my integra that was alcantara covered and was plenty grippy enough for normal day to day driving.

I would go with that

stonejedi

iTrader: (51)

Suede all day long for grip and feel.its oil and dirt that destroys both alcantara and suede,as a shop manager said to me when i bought my steering wheel:just make sure your hands are clean all the time and don't use cream on them,dry hands it is thenSJ.

stonejedi

iTrader: (51)

On another note suede gloves and a suede steering wheel is a match up that can't be beat for grip.SJ.

ScoobyForLife27

iTrader: (14)

So the winner is suede :-)
Is there match difference between suede and alcantara in quality and lifespan wise ?
I'm guessing that alcantara is something like "suede wanna be", fake suede, right ?

Do you guys know what's the roughly cost for retrimming steering wheel in suede and that yellow stripe in the UK ?

stonejedi

iTrader: (51)

Alcantara is a kind of a synthetic suede,suede is leather.thats why when you see some hard used suede steering wheels they look shiney that is the suede reverting back to its leather form,but you can bring back suede to near perfect condition with soapy water and towels and a suede brush to use once the dirt has been taken out,then brushed to get the ruff suede finish again,it was a question I asked on detailing world and a leather specialist sent me a Personal pm with instructions on how to maintain the suede texture.SJ.

stonejedi

iTrader: (51)

Trimming cost I would say anywhere from £100 upwards depending what company you use,sometimes it can be better to just buy a good quality racing wheel from the likes of OMP,NARDI,MOMO etc....SJ.

038/200

iTrader: (1)

Any one ever had there original nardi re trimmed. Mine a bit warn as is the red stiching. Evan a nardi trimmed in suede would be cool.

IggyRB320

iTrader: (9)

I bought a donor steering wheel for my RB320, from a 06STi and had it trimmed in Alcantara.
The RB was my daily driver & after 12 months+ the wheel was still looking good!



Pics from iPhone...but you get the idea!!

stonejedi

iTrader: (51)

Looks very nice,what company did you use?the info might come in useful to the OP.SJ.

038/200

iTrader: (1)

Yes iggy that looks very nice indeed. Can we ask how much ?

Fonzey

iTrader: (5)

Iggy that's awesome. My wheel looks like its made of black glass so I reckon a retrim like yours would look ace.

Along with a flocked dash

Details man, details!

banny sti

iTrader: (68)

Had mine done by royal steering wheels

Before





After

bustaMOVEs

iTrader: (31)

I bought a suede omp tagra wheel, and it's nice without gloves for a dd, gloves are only good to keep the sweat out of your hands to give constant grip.
Only gripe as some will agree is that it looks untidy after a while as its worn in a bit, fantastic in cold.

ScoobyForLife27

iTrader: (14)

I got mine Nardi retrimmed in black leather and it looks REALLY nice. The guy did a really good job apart from yellow, centre stripe :-( I've told him to do it not wider than 10mm but he fu..ed up. It is much wider and not equal. It's narrow on the bottom and wide on top (triangle shape)
So, from what you guys saying I'll get my OMP wheel done in suede. I've also heard that people using leather but upside down if you know what I mean ? Not sure how would this work so will get good quality suede :-)

Thanks a lot for your suggestions.

ScoobyForLife27

iTrader: (14)

stonejedi,
You reckon I could bring my OMP wheel to live by cleaning and brushing it ?

stonejedi

iTrader: (51)

Yes I do mate,the pics that the member on detailing world sent me of a few that he brought back to life with just suede cleaner and a suede brush.you would not believe so I know it works.how bad is your steering wheel?SJ.

stonejedi

iTrader: (51)

Here's a site with a normal suede steering wheel clean up,that a detailing world member sent me of when his mate cleaned one up after asking for advice.SJ.
http://www.106rallyeforum.com/forum2...ad.php?t=84697

ScoobyForLife27

iTrader: (14)

I think mine is quite bad TBH. It's 6 years old now and I'm not really sure if can be refreshed.

stonejedi

iTrader: (51)

Click on the site in my reply to you (post 19) the one the guy done was as bad as yours.SJ.

stonejedi

iTrader: (51)

Most of yours is oil from your hand and dirt over the years by the look of it,which can be cleaned up to look at least 90% better then it does in your picture.SJ.

ScoobyForLife27

iTrader: (14)

You mean post #12 ? :-) I'm not quite happy from result really...
Just got a quote from a guy that will do my wheel in proper suede with yellow bit for £50 so can't be really bother in cleaning it :-)

stonejedi

iTrader: (51)

£50 is a good price,but for future reference prevention is better then cure,get yourself a good suede brush and when you see it looking a tad drab just give it a quick brush to spruce up the suede fibres.SJ.

IggyRB320

iTrader: (9)

Think it cost about £200'ish & the company I used was http://www.jd-trimming.co.uk