wood steering wheel is cracking
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Pit Crew
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 110
Likes: 1
From: AZ
Driver School Candidate
Joined: Aug 2015
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
From: Fl
I've had 2 ls430s and the steering wheel cracking happened on both of them. Had them repaired at JM Lexus in Margate Florida. Did a great job. Cost about $350. Darker stain than original but I'm happy.
Rookie
Joined: Jun 2018
Posts: 61
Likes: 8
From: Finland
I have plans to try fix my steering wheel this way. Do you have any before and after pictures?
Lexus Champion
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 2,489
Likes: 107
From: AZ
No, I haven't taken any photos. If the crack lines are deep (which even when garaged will occur most of the time) they will be more than a surface scratch. However, since they are a crack they will be felt by your hands, which is annoying. My method will fill the cracks at the surface and it will feel smooth and look nice. I've not had the nerve to try to remove enough of the surface to attempt to get to the bottom of the crack. My cracks are visible from the top of the steering wheel and hardly seen from the drivers position. The tung oil will gradually wear away and you will feel the cracks again. No problem, I just redo the process in less that 30 minutes, let it dry and repeat another time or two. One final polish with the steel wool, rewax the wood and you're good to go for another 6 months or so.
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Lead Lap
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 3,680
Likes: 302
I was quoted in post #16 in the year 2015, as applying car wax to the wheel and rubbing it off vigorously to smooth out the edges of the clear felt by my hands. After 10 years of ownership and living in Florida, the cracking has not progressed and it still looks equivalent to the day I purchased the car. FYI I do use a sunshade religiously, whenever parking in the sun.
Rookie
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 35
Likes: 2
From: California
I did the steel wool and tung oil treatment yesterday, and am quite happy with the results. I did three rounds and after the last one put on a coat of exterior car wax. I can barely feel any of the cracks, although they are still visible. As of las night the wheel still felt a little tacky, and I’m hoping it has dried a little this morning. I used small round cotton pads as applicators and they worked well and were easy to control.
2004 CL Black Cherry Pearl
2004 CL Black Cherry Pearl
Last edited by Diplocar; Jun 27, 2020 at 06:57 PM. Reason: X
Instructor
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 1,199
Likes: 214
From: Ontario, Canada
I have zero cracks on my 2002's steering wheel - it does not experience much sunlight or extreme heat. I don't clean the wood with anything except for a microfibre cloth very lightly dampened with water. Cleaning agents can damage the coating on the wood, as well as permeate into tiny cracks and make them worse.
If you can, use a windshield-mounted sun blocker, close your sunroof shade when parked in the sun, crack windows slightly when parked in sun to avoid greenhouse effect, and tint your windows as much as you can - this will keep your steering wheel and leather seats looking like new.
If you can, use a windshield-mounted sun blocker, close your sunroof shade when parked in the sun, crack windows slightly when parked in sun to avoid greenhouse effect, and tint your windows as much as you can - this will keep your steering wheel and leather seats looking like new.
CL Community Team
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 2,697
Likes: 824
From: 565 St Peter NOLA
Until someone can identify how the steering wheel was finished, likely polyurethane or UV cured polyester, at the factory I wouldn't apply ANYTHING to it except a quality wax.
I know some CL members have reported positive results using Tung Oil but this is a slippery slope. 100% pure Tung Oil, which you won't find at Lowes or Home Depot, is applied in several subsequent coats to Bare Wood. Any product labeled as a "Tung Oil Finish" is likely a blend of varnishes, solvents, and chemical driers with no actual Tung Oil at all. Compatibility issues between the two types of finish are only going to cause more problems. Would you apply a varnish product to the hood or front fender? Don't apply it to the steering wheel either just because there's wood underneath the thick protective finish.
I know some CL members have reported positive results using Tung Oil but this is a slippery slope. 100% pure Tung Oil, which you won't find at Lowes or Home Depot, is applied in several subsequent coats to Bare Wood. Any product labeled as a "Tung Oil Finish" is likely a blend of varnishes, solvents, and chemical driers with no actual Tung Oil at all. Compatibility issues between the two types of finish are only going to cause more problems. Would you apply a varnish product to the hood or front fender? Don't apply it to the steering wheel either just because there's wood underneath the thick protective finish.
Last edited by bradland; Oct 5, 2020 at 06:54 PM.
Lexus Champion
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 2,489
Likes: 107
From: AZ
Until someone can identify how the steering wheel was finished, likely polyurethane or UV cured polyester, at the factory I wouldn't apply ANYTHING to it except a quality wax.
I know some CL members have reported positive results using Tung Oil but this is a slippery slope. 100% pure Tung Oil, which you won't find at Lowes or Home Depot, is applied in several subsequent coats to Bare Wood. Any product labeled as a "Tung Oil Finish" is likely a blend of varnishes, solvents, and chemical driers with no actual Tung Oil at all. Compatibility issues between the two types of finish are only going to cause more problems. Would you apply a varnish product to the hood or front fender? Don't apply it to the steering wheel either just because there's wood underneath the thick protective finish.
I know some CL members have reported positive results using Tung Oil but this is a slippery slope. 100% pure Tung Oil, which you won't find at Lowes or Home Depot, is applied in several subsequent coats to Bare Wood. Any product labeled as a "Tung Oil Finish" is likely a blend of varnishes, solvents, and chemical driers with no actual Tung Oil at all. Compatibility issues between the two types of finish are only going to cause more problems. Would you apply a varnish product to the hood or front fender? Don't apply it to the steering wheel either just because there's wood underneath the thick protective finish.