Installed refinished steering wheel

[tanger]

A spare Brabus wheel came with the purchase of my car and I had it refinished in wood/leather last year. Finally got around to installing it. I made a number of rookie mistakes which slowed me down and next time I will probably just buy the special MB extension to access the airbag screws (I bought a hex bit extension online, but it was a little too big so I had to really force it into the access hole which made it more difficult than it should have been). Anyways, pretty happy with how it came out.

 

[Hi-Power]

Looks awesome! Also the dyed airbag looks like a good match with the leather on your steering wheel and core. Now it is time to exchange the shift knob...

 

[mistermiata]

Looks great tanger!

As you know from another thread, I bought Captruffs NIB Brabus wheel....it is charcoal in color, and after you mentioned dying your leather, I am thinking about dying it black. Since the wheel is absolutely perfect (brand spanking new! ), I am wary of doing this in case I screw it up....I really want it black to match the rest of the interior, but not at the expense of messing it up.

I have 2 questions for you:

Will a DIY dye job due this wheel justice?

About the airbag...in the other thread you mentioned buying the cheapest airbag and dying it to match the wheel...how good is your airbag to wheel match? Since the airbag cover isn't leather, is the process to dye it the same as for the wheel?

Thanks!

 

[tanger]

I sent the wheel AND the airbag out to Craft Customs out in Texas to refinish and dye together, so the color match is spot on. Where you see the difference is the smooth leather of the wheel just doesn't exactly match the fake leather wrinkles of the airbag. But doesn't bother me.

If I were you, I would try and dye it black yourself, best case you can save some $$ and worst case you have to take it to a local upholstery shop to redo. I will admit I haven't searched here for leather restoration, but I'm sure there is some good info. If not, head over to Rennlist and do a search - tons of leather restoration and dyeing tips there. Good luck!

Good call in picking up the wheel - I honestly thought of buying it just to have a new one as a spare...

Looks great tanger!

As you know from another thread, I bought Captruffs NIB Brabus wheel....it is charcoal in color, and after you mentioned dying your leather, I am thinking about dying it black. Since the wheel is absolutely perfect (brand spanking new! ), I am wary of doing this in case I screw it up....I really want it black to match the rest of the interior, but not at the expense of messing it up.

I have 2 questions for you:

Will a DIY dye job due this wheel justice?

About the airbag...in the other thread you mentioned buying the cheapest airbag and dying it to match the wheel...how good is your airbag to wheel match? Since the airbag cover isn't leather, is the process to dye it the same as for the wheel?

Thanks!

 

[Jelmer]

Fancy!!!

 

[500AMM]

Looks great tanger!

As you know from another thread, I bought Captruffs NIB Brabus wheel....it is charcoal in color, and after you mentioned dying your leather, I am thinking about dying it black. Since the wheel is absolutely perfect (brand spanking new! ), I am wary of doing this in case I screw it up....I really want it black to match the rest of the interior, but not at the expense of messing it up.

I have 2 questions for you:

Will a DIY dye job due this wheel justice?

About the airbag...in the other thread you mentioned buying the cheapest airbag and dying it to match the wheel...how good is your airbag to wheel match? Since the airbag cover isn't leather, is the process to dye it the same as for the wheel?

Thanks!

Andy,

It is an easy DIY. I tried to give you an idea about it in post#20 in the sales thread: http://www.500eboard.com/forums/showthread.php?3768-FS-BNIB-Brabus-Steering-wheel&p=38863#post38863

I masked the wood items, but realized it was not necessary since the dye don't penetrate into the wood anyway. The dye can easily be wiped of before it dries up, but masking makes the job simpler though. I also dyed the airbag and the back side of the steering wheel which both are plastic/rubber material. The dye didn't attach/penetrate so fast on those materials, so I had to repeat several times. The result is good.

Good luck.

 

[mistermiata]

Awesome thanks for the tips guys! Think I will tackle the project, worst case scenario I will have it redone by a professional.

One last question.... can I use my current airbag (from the pics above looks like Tanger did) from my 94 E500 stock wheel on the Brabus wheel? I am assuming I can, it is already black, and would save me a few bucks having to buy an airbag off of ebay.

 

[500AMM]

I think you need an early style airbag for that st.wheel - supposed it is the same as Tanger has shown in his post.
(the image shows early at top and late at bottom)

 

[mistermiata]

I think you need an early style airbag for that st.wheel - supposed it is the same as Tanger has shown in his post.
(the image shows early at top and late at bottom)

Rik....can you chime in? Will my 94 airbag fit the Brabus wheel I bought from Captruff?

Thanks!

 

[W124]

OP's wheel is nice, but I think the best wheel for W124/W140 is this one. I think it's even smaller diameter than what 2phast has installed in his red 500e. Pictured is an S73 W140:

 

[Jelmer]

I can't say anything about "best", but it sure as hell ain't the prettiest. And imho it doesn't fit the 036 because it looks too round and new, it clashes with the oldish and straight interior.

 

[tanger]

I felt the same way...

I can't say anything about "best", but it sure as hell ain't the prettiest. And imho it doesn't fit the 036 because it looks too round and new, it clashes with the oldish and straight interior.

 

[tanger]

Your stock airbag won't fit. Or at least mine didn't.

Awesome thanks for the tips guys! Think I will tackle the project, worst case scenario I will have it redone by a professional.

One last question.... can I use my current airbag (from the pics above looks like Tanger did) from my 94 E500 stock wheel on the Brabus wheel? I am assuming I can, it is already black, and would save me a few bucks having to buy an airbag off of ebay.

 

[tanger]

Correct

I think you need an early style airbag for that st.wheel - supposed it is the same as Tanger has shown in his post.
(the image shows early at top and late at bottom)

 

[sheward]

And imho it doesn't fit the 036 because it looks too round and new, it clashes with the oldish and straight interior.

I agree.

drew

 

[Hi-Power]

And imho it doesn't fit the 036 because it looks too round and new, it clashes with the oldish and straight interior.

+ 1

IMHO the design of the Sportline Steering Wheel should remain true to its shape and dimensions. If there is a need for a personalized version, you can always refinish it with wood & leather to match the rest of your interior trim.

Yes, you can call me a "purist"...

 

[W124]

That wheel attracts hot chicks, isn't that why you old guys buy e500e?..Let me tell you a friend of mine has this wheel and it's a chick magnet, much better than any euro mod for a 500e