Leather....

 

it claims to be leather, but it's so treated and processed it almost feels like it's artificial. will know more in a few years when it wears out.

 

If you look closely in the stitching you wont see any stitching where they made a circle, I believe it is vinyl.

 

I think it might be leather. Wouldn't it be false advertising if they clearly mention "Leather Wrapped steering wheel" and "Gear Knob - Leather" and actually fit you leatherette or vinyl?

 

do they mention the percentage of leather anywhere? lol. one small square might qualify.

 

Mine is Corinthian leather. From Tuscany, Italy.

They had to skin 40 young corinthians to cover my seats, wheel, and knob.

It needs no protection. Corinthians are very tough critters.

 

Beautiful, thanks for those great images of the Tuscany Red/Black, weird we don't get this choice in Euroland[mecry]

 

looks like they didn't clean up all the blood. i see some red.

 

Use the following two and you should be good:


The Pro recommend you use both on your car: ( with the combo you can do your lcd, dash etc)..

Einszett 1Z Cockpit Premium

http://www.detailedimage.com/Ask-a-...-prestine-clean-einszett-1z-cockpit-premium-or-meguiars-quik-interior-detailer/

and

303 Aerospace Protectant

Most commonly used on interior dashboards, center consoles, door trim, leather seats, and in the engine bay

http://www.detailedimage.com/303-M2/Aerospace-Protectant-P12/16-oz-S1/#product-description

Works great on vinyl convertible tops, plastic rear windows, clear bras, and tonneau covers.

 

When I got my Focus I read alot about leather care. Something that I read was that over the years vinyl coated leather has become more and more common because it is much more durable than uncoated leather and many people don't take care of leather correctly anyway. I can only assume that Ford isn't lying about it being leather but this could be why it doesn't feel like leather. Supposedly domestic vehicles have been more likely to have coated leather versus European cars but they too get coated vinyl and I can't remember what I read about other imports.

 

hmm... threadjacking a bit here, but I'm now contemplating having my front and rear doors reupholstered with leather/white stitching to match my seats. I guess it's only the interior packages that get the doors with leather too, as my charcoal black leather interior still has the odd cloth door inserts that I'm afraid will stain.

 

I saw an SEL at the dealer and the leather wrapped steering wheel was smooth like on my Silverado. This one looks like ray skin. Doesn't look real to me.

 

"leather" doesn't mean it comes from a cow either. could be any animal. squirrel leather wrapped steering wheel anyone? lol.

 

I have been in the leather garment business for the past 15 years so I think I can offer a professional opinion.

The steering wheel is definitely wrapped in leather. There are many many types of leather as well as quality grades. Most likely the leather used is cow that has been coated and treated to give it durability. It could be buffalo as this is also a durable upholstery leather.

At the price of the Focus I don't think we can expect buttery Corinthian leather but I like the look and feel of what was used.

 

I have been in the leather garment for the past 15 years

Man, you must be sweaty.[hihi]

 

I went out and stuck my eyeball on the steering wheel.It's leather. Looks like they have two different types of leather wrap. Does anyone know how they make a leather wrapped wheel? Looks like they injection mold them somehow.

 

Thanks for the answers. I think I'll hold off on something just for the steering wheel and shifter.

My Mom's Outback's leather/wood-plastic wheel is almost 10 years old and still looks fine.

 

How can I condition-treat the wheel, shifter knob and handbrake leather areas?

I personally do it with a clean mf cloth lightly soaked in water...

 

Holy thread resurrection [grinking]

I wonder what are the real source of their leather...

 

I uses lexol cleaner and then conditioner.

 

I would ask Ford what they officially recommend.

It would be worth treating as the quality of the leather, at least the stitching is bad. My wife's 2003 Kia Sedona's leather has better quality control (In some places I can see straight through the Focus stitching and see the padding underneath, especially on things like rear headrests.)

I have the Tuscany Red/Black and it does indeed look very nice The last thing I would want is the leather cracking because it stops being supple.

 

Umm, not sure if this has been mentioned or not, but downunder the lower trims have vinyl, and the sport, titanium and st have leather steering wheels.
At least, I'm pretty sure

 

It is true leather is not what it used to be.
Now, plenty of leather is thin, poor quality crap they seem to scrape off the floor of the tannery, then coat it with vinyl to make it stick together someplace in China.
They can call it leather since it is from the skin of a animal.. barely.

On the other hand:
I had a man's leather motorcycle police jacket made in the 1950's or 60's. Now THAT was leather. It weighed twenty pounds, looked totally worn out when I bought it for $10. Juiced it up with Mink oil and saddle soap and "PRESTO" a great leather jacket good as new.
Finally, after I had it 20 more years, (and the lining needed replacing.). someone stole it out of my car. That was twenty five years ago. I bet that jacket is STILL being used. Now THAT was 'real' leather. [strongman]

 

Seems like the right side of the steering wheel, the area where I grip it 9 and 3, at "3" where it meets the stitching, is beginning to "wrinkle" as its going to start cracking.. what can I do to prevent this?

 

Buy a nice wood wheel to replace it.

 

Thanks for the reply, but I really like the leather one.

 

Mine feels like pleather. (plastic leather)

 

This^^^^^^^^