sorka

I'm sending my steering wheel into American Stitches to have it redone. Out of the interior restoration, it is the one thing I'm not making exactly stock as I really prefer the LS400 style more. I would like to send a piece of the wood trim in so they can match it. What piece comes off the easiest? Any ideas?
Thanks.

aliga

iTrader: (147)

door panel peice.

CleanSC

Aliga's right.

More specifically, the passenger piece that's closer to the dash. It's smaller to ship and being on the passenger side, you can keep the memory switch in place on your side.

techsc400

iTrader: (6)

My next project is steering wheel upgrade from American stitches also.

Things that I don't understand are;

1. "They(American Stitches) must had many customers from us (CL) SC model steering wheels. They should know by now what wood trim color matches factory SC interior for their wood steering wheel job.

2. Do we still need to send the little wood interior piece for color matching?

Can anyone who already done this wood steering wheel work from American Stitches check your invoice or paper work to verify what kind wood color or leather color they used? and post the color code here?

So next member who is sending it to American Stitches do not have to send a little interior piece?

Thanks.

silversprucesc3

Actually, I think that process of color matching works to your advantage..
Let me explain... I have had my hands on at least 7 sets of door panels
for the SC3/4.
I have noticed that there is slight but
distinguishable differences in wood color, grain and sheen.
I really noticed this when comparing door panel wood to the dash wood.

There was a thread at one time that actually talked about wood "type" changes over the years and i think it related to the SC. By "matching" the company would seem to minimze complaints over color matching. Thats alot of work to find that the wheel doesn't match...lol

techsc400

iTrader: (6)

Thanks, now I can understand!

As far as I know, there was one GB for American Stitches wheel upgrade on 2001 hosted by one of the CL member. Isn't it about time to have another GB for this?
What does it take to make this GB get going?

O. L. T.

iTrader: (17)

No, no member can host a GB, only vendors.

FYI the smallest and easiest piece is to the left of the steering wheel under the dimmer control, the panel simply pops off by hand.

edit: errr...forgot there wasn't wood there

techsc400

iTrader: (6)

Thank you for the info, OLT.
What does it take this GB get going again?

Check this out.
https://www.clublexus.com/forums/sho...&page=16&pp=15
Manaray was doing GB for this also with a loaner wheel. I have an extra SC wheel that I wouldn't mind make it as a loaner for CL member after mine is done.

This was such a nice GB and now it seems stuck. What does it take to make this GB going again? I am sure there are many new CL members would like to jump into this GB.

O. L. T.

iTrader: (17)

3 years ago. Not going to happen.

sorka

There was a group buy last year. I missed it but it was close enough that they let me in.

I have mixed feelings about the overall experience. First, the quality of the workmanship is stunning except for the color matching. They didn't match the wood piece I sent them very well in color or grain. The grain is not as big a deal as the color. They also didn't match the leather that came off very well. You can see from the photo below to what degree it is off.

They had the wheel for 6 weeks instead of the 2 they had promised. Apparantly they quite a few goof ups and it failed QC twice and had to be redone several times. Without me asking, they compensated me by lowering the price even more from the GB. I ended up getting it for $320 which is a steal even with the color being off slightly.

Now the picture below is the worse case scenario because it is only obvious in sunlight. In shade, it looks like the leather matches the airbag cover almost perfectly.

techsc400

iTrader: (6)

Thanks a lot for the feedback, Sorka.
$320 is the best price. Did you put any pad? (1/8, 1/16)

sorka

No but it feels as padded as I would ever want. Also the $320 is the 20% discount they gave me for having my wheel for so long. The price was supposed to be $400 which was $20 more than the GB which was $380 for the leather *and* wood. I think their regular price is about $500.