Suede Steering Wheel?

[TonyHuntimer]

Hey guys,

I finally upgrading my crappy looking steering wheel. I'm looking at the Sparco suede (http://www.sparcousa.com/psteering_comp.asp?id=281) steering wheels and I was wondering how the suede holds up to use. I drive my car everyday, so wear and tear is a concern.

Tony Huntimer
RaceHome.com
___________________
Pro-Touring is contageous.

[CAMAROBOY69]

Ask Charley. He has a Suede Sparco steering wheel in the Mule.

[Supra510]

I have a suede Momo wheel. I don't care about it looking perfect so it's fine for me but there are a few issues:

1) The suede does wear down. Parts of my wheel don't look like suede anymore. They have been smoothed out. I guess there are suede combs that can help this, I've never tried.

2) The suede picks up dirt, grease, whatever is on your hands. It stays in the wheel until you slide your fresh khakis under it and it leaves a nice black mark.

[toofun]

OK, I am one of the last TWO major suede leather tanneries left in the country. ALL WE MAKE IS SUEDE!! The type of suede that is used in the sparco wheel I would willing to bet is a suede micro fiber not real suede. The problem with real suede is that it does not hold up well to intense sunlight. It also will pick up every dirt, grease or oil mark you have on your hands. Even the natural oils produced in your skin will eventually be picked up into the suede and give it a greyish darker appearance. Suede combs work to a certain extent but most of the time it will make the suede coarser and if it is not a color penetrated suede it will bring up a different color.

Real suede does look very cool but since it is on a steering wheel I would recommend it for a SHOW CAR ONLY since it will only look good for a short period of time. For a daily driver I would highly recommend against it.

[TonyHuntimer]

Thanks for all the input. This is why the Pro-Touring.com board is so great.

With this input I can make a good decision on a steering wheel.

Thanks again,
Tony Huntimer
RaceHome.com

[Damn True]

I believe the material that is used is called "Alcantra" dunno if it's real or synthetic.