DIY: Change Color of M Performance Steering Wheel Stripe

[yjypm]

So I've been having the MP steering wheel v1 for half a year. Recently as I was cleaning the steering wheel with alcantara cleaner and microfiber towels I noticed that the color of the stripe has been fading. I don't usually grab the top of the wheel while driving so I was kinda upset about the quality.


Then as I purchased red M1/M2 buttons from IND (only M2 button was installed since I like it that way), I started thinking about refinishing/wrapping the stripe.

At first I considered red leather dye, however I am not sure if it's going to look good on top of partially faded blue stripe. Therefore I went with vinyl and it's reversible.

As someone suggest, I got 1/4 inch wide vinyl from amazon thinking it's the perfect width, but that was not the case as the the vinyl was much wider than the stripe.


So I applied the vinyl and used a blow dryer to make it stick and stretch along the edge of the stripe.

And the hardest part was trimming the excess vinyl. I was worried about damaging the steering wheel, therefore I cut the excess with a plastic razor.

The plastic razor was no where as sharp as a metal one but I took a lot of patience and cut it slowly.


Eventually I cut all the excess and tuck the edge of the vinyl into the gap between the stripe and alcantara.

My work was not nearly as perfect as I hope but I am still pretty happy with the result.



For people who want to change their stripe color, my advice would be:
1. Get a wider vinyl since you are trimming it anyway.
2. A hobby knife might work better than my plastic razor but you need to be really careful not to cut the stitchings at the bottom.
3. Do it slowly and be patient. This is only a 30 min job so don't hurry or you might damage your wheel or the vinyl and startover.

I really hope I can inspire anyone who is not happy with faded stripes or just want to change the color to match the interior.

Cheers.

[ntg44]

That's really interesting about the stripe fading. Is the car parked outside in the sun a lot? Do you know how many miles roughly you put on in the time since you installed the wheel?

This won't help you obviously, but I wonder if there's a UV protected coating you can spray the stripe with to prevent the fading. The black leather steering wheels don't seem to discolor so easily, so I wonder if they're treated with something, or if black just hides it better.

Either way, nice DIY.

[yjypm]

Originally Posted by ntgarage44

That's really interesting about the stripe fading. Is the car parked outside in the sun a lot? Do you know how many miles roughly you put on in the time since you installed the wheel?

This won't help you obviously, but I wonder if there's a UV protected coating you can spray the stripe with to prevent the fading. The black leather steering wheels don't seem to discolor so easily, so I wonder if they're treated with something, or if black just hides it better.

Either way, nice DIY.

The car has been driven for 5k miles. I dont usually park it in the sun but notice the area that fades is more toward the driver not the windshield so I don't think the sun is the problem.
I clean the wheel with sonax alcantara cleaner roughly every week not sure if this is the cause.

[Pauldunlop13]

Do you think adding this vinyl to a stock wheel without an existing stripe would work?

[yjypm]

Originally Posted by Pauldunlop13

Do you think adding this vinyl to a stock wheel without an existing stripe would work?

It will but i doubt it will look good up close since you can tell it's vinyl

[tom @ eas]

Looks good! We did this on our e92M3 (orange stripe) back in the day.

Going slightly wider than the wheel strip helps as the vinyl will get a bit thinner as you stretch when wrapping and try to position the seam underneath.

[yjypm]

Originally Posted by tom @ eas

Looks good! We did this on our e92M3 (orange stripe) back in the day.

Going slightly wider than the wheel strip helps as the vinyl will get a bit thinner as you stretch when wrapping and try to position the seam underneath.

Yeah I saw your suggestion and thought "how is vinyl gonna work" and magically it works pretty well

[Pauldunlop13]

Originally Posted by yjypm

It will but i doubt it will look good up close since you can tell it's vinyl

Yah
I have always wanted the electronic wheel, but with the HUD it doesn’t seem as necessary anymore. I don’t use the heated function much, but it is nice and I don’t. Want to lose it

I guess using fabric somehow might be an option for a stripe, but unlikely I will try it.

[yjypm]

Originally Posted by Pauldunlop13

Yah
I have always wanted the electronic wheel, but with the HUD it doesn't seem as necessary anymore. I don't use the heated function much, but it is nice and I don't. Want to lose it

I guess using fabric somehow might be an option for a stripe, but unlikely I will try it.

It seems there have been a lot of glitches with the MP electronic steering wheel.

This might work for you, it's vinyl with a fabric finish:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B018QBQMJW..._hJpqCb31DZEEE

[Pauldunlop13]

Originally Posted by yjypm

It seems there have been a lot of glitches with the MP electronic steering wheel.

This might work for you, it's vinyl with a fabric finish:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B018QBQMJW..._hJpqCb31DZEEE

Excellent thanks man. For $8 it is worth a try.
What is the typical width of a steering wheel stripe? 1/4” ?
*****. I just reread the first post. So maybe 1/5” should work.