Refinishing Wood Steering Wheel

[cmshoot]

I have a 2000 LS400 Platinum Edition, with the bird's eye maple interior. I have neglected to protect the steering wheel from the sun and now the finish on the top half is becoming severely cracked. I was going to strip and refinish it with polyurethane, but don't know how to take it off. Do I have to take it off, or have any of y'all here done it without removing it?

I can mask of the area when I spray, but I'm worried about the Certistrip I'm going to use to strip the old finish off damaging the leather (or whatever it is) parts of the wheel.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

[cduluk]

You've gotta strip the factory clear unfortunately.

I've done this several times, it can be done :)

http://us.lexusownersclub.com/forums/index...c=57087&hl=

[cmshoot]

Thank you very much for the tutorial, that's exactly what I needed. My main problem is that I can't take the steering wheel off my car for a week, as it's my daily driver. At least I know what I'm getting myself into.

FWIW, would you be interested in tackling a project like that for $? If I can't scare up another ride for a couple of weeks (I may be buying a pickup truck as a supplemental vehicle in the near future), I would be willing to send the steering wheel to you to have you work your magic on it.

Once again, I really appreciate the step-by-step. Let me know if it's something you'd be willing to do for me.

Semper Fi!

[cduluk]

No prob.