Patching an Ugly Steering Wheel

My new-to-me GMC truck had an ugly-ass snap on steering wheel cover, not unlike this:

to cover up the age-damaged original hard-rubber wheel. I started stitching on a leather cover, like this:

However, the ugly-ass cover that PO put on it left ruts in the original squishy rubber, shown here:

These ruts can be felt through the leather cover. Any cheap, easy solutions to fill these ruts? Silicone? Epoxy? I've seen Eastwood's kit, but I'm not interested in restoring the wheel, just patching these spots, so they can't be felt.

Go to the local pull-a-part and get another one, or a nicer one from a different model by the same manufacturer?

I'm thinking sugru/oogoo.

Wasn't there a product featured in GRM that Per tested to improve the grip of steering wheels? Can't remember it right now though.

if the original wheel is squishy.. those dents should slowly fill out on their own

I would leave it and hope they pop out. For now consider it ribbed for your pleasure.

Nice toy yoda btw.

Might try a little steam!

Maybe some thin pad material under the stitch on cover like the type used under vinyl tops?

DeadSkunk wrote: Go to the local pull-a-part and get another one, or a nicer one from a different model by the same manufacturer?

I'm a cheap SOB. Besides, yards around here are getting scarce and the weather isn't nice enough to be mucking about. Maybe in a few months.

GameboyRMH wrote: I'm thinking sugru/oogoo.

I'm thinking that looks like a good idea.

mad_machine wrote: if the original wheel is squishy.. those dents should slowly fill out on their own

bgkast wrote: I would leave it and hope they pop out. For now consider it ribbed for your pleasure. Nice toy yoda btw.

It's been almost a month, and they're still indented.

I had to look back, as I thought I identified my truck as a GMC. Then I remembered who was hanging off the key ring. 8)

Bummer. Some sort of padding under-wrap is probably your best bet if you don't want to replace it. Do you have a picture of how the wheel looks with the wrap? My new-to-me GMC has the same sun damage on the top of the wheel.

Thanks!

In reply to bgkast:

Shame on me. I should have updated this when I did it. I used the homemade sugru/oogoo that was suggested. I forgot to take pics. It worked, and the cover turned out smooth.

Looks great! I'm gonna bust out the thimble.

I've doubled up leather covers. It's hard as hell to stitch them on, but you end up with a nice fat wheel.

I wonder if i can make my own wrap like that out of leftover vinyl when I make my interior. Anyone ever tried it? Id like the steering wheel to match perfectly.

I don't think the holes in the vinyl will hold up to the tension of the stitching. I've torn leather covers while trying to install them.

Speaking of steering wheels, is there an alternative to covering a rough-looking wheel? My GF's Avalon looks practically new inside despite its 266k miles, but the wheel belies its use and age. If it were freshened up it would really spruce up the interior, but I think even a good looking cover tends to look a bit clunky and out of place (not that I wouldn't put one on my work truck!). And the wheel's not really bad; the padding is fine and everything's basically intact, but the vinyl on the cover is wearing and beginning to peel/crack/chunk off.

Short of scouring the yards - and I'm not totally opposed to that, though I'd have to learn how to pull airbag steering wheels - is there a way to restore the rim cover?

Honda used to sell super nice leather steering wheel covers at the parts counter. I think they were about $35 and the dealers would sell them, but most wouldn't install them.