pakattack

Hey,

I recently purchased a 2006 GS430, however the woodgrain on the steering wheel is all scratched up, I was wondering if there was any way i could replace just the wood grain portion and where I could get the new woodgrain insert from?

thanks!

*Batman*

You cannot. However the most expensive part of the wheel is the airbag module. So you can keep the airbag module and replace the wheel.

BinaryJay

It's probably no walk in the park to physically replace the steering wheel.

I've seen them for sale, sans airbag, on ebay for around $300-400.

If you ask me the better solution is to get yourself some PlastX and just buff the scratches out. It will take a lot of elbow grease but it will work. The wood is just a veneer and it's covered by an acrylic layer that will buff out with a plastic polish.

If you have a porter cable and don't mind possibly getting the polish all over the place you could probably get the job done a lot faster at least on the more visible front and top facing surfaces.

rominl

iTrader: (4)

you can't replace it, but if it's just scratches, a lot of places should be able to help you recondition and recoat it

*Batman*

It can be replaced. There I a guy on this forum who removed his wheel, modified it with paddle shifters and then reinstalled it. If you search for that thread it will tell you how to remove the wheel and airbag module. Then you just swap the wheel for the one on eBay.

This said you should try a wood restoration guy first.

whlkev

I think Henry meant that you can't just replace the WOOD part of the steering wheel

of course you can just replace the whole steering wheel with new one.

rominl

iTrader: (4)

yes that's what i meant. you can't just take out the wood and replace them. there are no "parts" that's just the wood

of course, to go extreme, i have even seen people take out the wheel, use dremel to carefully cut the wood piece and take it out, sand, smooth, and paint them completely different color, finished by putting everything back like stock

jtrue28

there's no wood* involved here. 100% plastic. should buff right out.

rominl

iTrader: (4)

plastic? got proof?

as far as i know all the trims are with real wood. not the whole thing, but it's a thin later of wood followed by coating

someone already did testing in the 2gs to prove that.

jtrue28

Pull up the console around the shifter ***....absolutely 100% plastic...every bit of it. I can pull mine up if you'd like and take a pic. I replaced the ashtray/cig lighter combo with the Japan compartment...I've seen what the material is. It's actually pretty cheap.

*Batman*

You have no clue. I am amazed you would buy this car if you have such a low opinion of the materials used.

I quote from Page 28 of the 2009 manufacturer's brochure:
"Wood, leather, paint. Just because all luxury manufacturers have them doesn't mean they are the same. Consider the genuine wood paneling inside of a GS. All of the pieces are sourced from a single tree to ensure consistency in grain and color."

whlkev

nah you are wrong, it's real wood overlay on plastic parts and clear coat over it

there is a video online for the making of lexus vehicle, every car's wood is carved from a single tree to have consistent grains and hand polished by Yamaha Piano makers

http://www.yamaha.com/publications/a...cent102/13.htm

*Batman*

Not true. It is wood bonded to plastic. Center console trim is bonded to plastic to enable the manufacturer to clip it into place and unclip it when needed. Exactly the same in a BMW. The door trim is often screwed in and bonded to metal, but not the center console because it needs to be easy to remove to access the electronics.

whlkev

batman with the gs460 is awesome

*Batman*

Thanks. It's black and it's stealth!