MrBruin09

Yeah leather specialists is the best way to go then. I am going to have my entire interior re-dyed in the same color by AAA leather doctors in the next 6-12 months. My entire interior has become faded and worn out. You should contact them and see what they can do for you. There work is impeccable! You can just mail your steering wheel to them. Good luck

http://www.aaaleatherdoctor.com/beforeandafter.htm

LeX2K

I will definitely contact them. I don't want someone to be experimenting with my steering wheel, gonna go with people that do this kind of thing all the time.

angmedic91

iTrader: (5)

I have a tan interior, but with the same steering wheel you bought. The combination doesnt look bad at all. I sort of like the black, because with the tan leather, it would get dirtier easier. At least with the black leather, smudges dont show. I also have a wood and black leather shift ****, so it would match the steering wheel. I attached pictures and the black goes well with the tan interior. I realize the real wood doesnt match the faux wood interior kit, but its close, oh well, cant have everything. I guess it could be worse.

LeX2K

^^ That looks really sharp, I especially like the wood shift ****. That will be my next project, why do I do this to myself.

So, after much hassle I finally have the wheel the way I want. I drove with the black/wood wheel on there for a bit, but decided I could not live with it (I guess I'm just picky) so I tried in vain to find a local shop/person to reupholster the leather, but could not find anyone I felt I could trust. So I bit the bullet and shipped it off to Craft Customs, glad I did. They did an outstanding job, it looks at least as good as how Lexus does it originally, and I actually think the leather is nicer, it's softer and more supple. The colour matches 100%, these guys are artists, highly recommended (I have no affiliation with them at all BTW). So if you want custom interior work done, Craft Customs is simply amazing, turn around time was less than a week as well.

Here's a small pic, I'll take better pictures later.

01LEXPL

iTrader: (10)

damn, i'm too late. ONe guy on eBay is selling one for your interior color. I saw it last night.

But it came out good.

LeX2K

It would have been nice to find the correct one, but the new leather is really nice, very rich. And not slightly worn like most used wheels so I'm happy. Well except what the whole thing cost me but oh well.

xsh0tya

Great job Lexus2000! I kinda like the look of the black leather but didnt fit with out doing something like Angmedic91 did. The thing I like most about this is how much effort you put in to get it done right and unique. Well done its the small things that makes it worth while!

angmedic91

iTrader: (5)

Wow, they did a heck of a job on the wheel. I will keep them in mind for leather work. BTW, how much did it cost total, shipping and the cost to have them put the tan leather on the wheel? Props for the nice looking steering wheel.


Thank you Sir for the kind words. If I was able to find a tan wheel, I would of went that route, but they are very hard to find, plus I got the black and wood for a good price, couldnt pass it up. The shift **** being black gives balance to the black steering wheel.

All I will say to you guys who read this, just do what makes you happy and what you feel looks good. Sometimes you gotta think outside the box and say, "I gotta try this out". Some will hate and others will like, but what matters is what you think, it's your car. All I ask is that it's done with class as to not make the Lexus brand look cheap. As you will notice on the pic I posted above, I had a chrome looking with carbon fiber looking shift ****, didnt blend and made the interior look cheap. I then needed to replace it and go back to stock or upgrade and give it a classy OEM look, so I went with the RX wood and leather shift ****. The upgrade can be done, just have to take your time and be patient, not exactly a plug and play upgrade shift ****. Good luck!

LeX2K

You sure you wanna know? $250.

The whole deal cost me a small fortune.

angmedic91

iTrader: (5)

Yikes, that was pricey, but it does look good. Like I mentioned in my previous post, as long as your happy, thats what matters. Lookin good bro, keep it up.

vdubill

i was in the same situation. i have a 98 es300, and i had a black leather wheel as well. i found a leather wrap that people use to cover their steering wheel and i cut it up myself and sewed on. It looked good to me do a google search on wheelskins.

japjunkie

Sorry to bring this thread back from the dead, but there is a lot of good info in here. I guess I have the Sage color interior and came up on an Ivory wood steering wheel.



I guess I am going to have to look for a local upholstery shop for the rewrap.

What I'm wondering is where can I find the chrome emblem for the steering wheel?

01LEXPL

iTrader: (10)

^ ebay, about 10$ for the emblem from what i recall.

imherenow

chrome emblem?? just open the hood right in the middle is the chrome emblem sitting. Just twist it ,remove it and glue it on the steering wheel

yeskay

nice find japjunkie. how much did you pay for it. did it come out of 2001 model