I use a "Small" amount of Go-Jo Origional on a soft rag..it takes off the dirt,salt,skin,blood,etc...leaves the wheel in great shape...Walmart or auto stores carry it...

 

After only one year as an every day vehcile, my steering wheel and console lid looked awful. The sun had bleached out the finish coat of the castano leather and sweat from hands and forearms after getting in the truck after running had left splotches that when combined with the sun fading, looked terrible.

After reading a few posts in the leather thread section, I used the baby shampoo method with hot water for great results on both the steering wheel and console lid.

Now you really have to scrub with a slightly abrasive wash cloth using plenty of water. The only way I could get a uniform result was to completely remove the finish coat off the leather (that fades from the sun) However, once it dried (completely!) I liberally applied the leather CPR, let that dry and then buffed with a cotton cloth.

The results are amazing...... it really brings out a deep rich quality that I think exceeds the way the leather looks new. And it does not seem to fade from the sun thereafter or lose the sheen (yet). The tough part is having the courage to scrub the leather so hard that coloring comes off on the cloth...... I thought I ruined the console lid at first....(it looks like mud until you buff it out).

I wish I had taken "before" pictures but as this was a last resort, honestly had no idea it would work so well.

 

Took the advice of JackandJanet and used the Tandy's Super Shene. Best advice I have seen yet. Worked great and leather looks better than it did new. I have acutally used it on all my leather. It gives it a good rich deep color and shine. I only suggest this if you want to enahnce the natural color differences in the leather. Have had it on there for about 10 days now and have received great feedback from everyone that gets in the truck.

 

Glad it worked for you! So far, my steering wheel has held up fine and any little scuff marks seem to buff right out. I think I'll try this trick on my armrest too, but the seats all seem to be fine with just KR leather conditioner.

As I think I said earlier, Super Shene works fine as a topcoat (over dye) on leather belts, so that's how I know about it. I only have to apply it once, when I finish the belt, and it simply lasts with no additional care from then on.

- Jack

 

Just a follow-up - I tried Tandy's Satin Shene on the console. I like the results better than Super Shene. It is not as "glossy" and comes closer to matching the rest of the leather (although it is still glossier than the original finish).

The important thing now though is that it repels oils and dirt.

I took a picture, but I can't see how to attach it. The posting rules say I can't post attachments. Is this what is stopping me?

- Jack