Steering Wheel Cover Bubbling? Fix

Motorchoco · 07-11-2013, 10:12 AM

I know a lot of people have problem with the steering wheel cover paint peeling and wearing off...
Similar problem here except mine is "bubbling"

The thing is...i can actually "push" those bubbles to the edge and they would disappear, but only reappear a day or two later.

Is there any way I can "fix" this without repainting the cover or vinyl it?
(I wouldn't mind taking the steering wheel cover off to fix it, but don't really want to do all the sanding and paint striping)

Is there any chance a heat gun (or anything) could make the coating "stick" back on? Cause I can actually make the bubble go away by pushing it to the edge...the problem is they don't stick...

btw car is out of warranty so can't take it to dealer

Any help much appreciated!

N8N · 07-11-2013, 10:18 AM

honestly, I only see a few solutions to this problem, all of which involve taking off the cover.

1) strip it and paint it with some matte black spray paint
2) have it vinyl wrapped
3) peel it off and polish the plastic with Novus or something for a "custom" high gloss look

I don't think anything else will work. This execrable rubberized coating has been used on German cars for a decade or more - my A4 GTI 1.8T used the exact same stuff and it sucked back then and it sucks now.

I've been meaning to try painting the trim on my own car but haven't actually been arsed to do it yet. At least you can take the steering wheel trim off. Not sure if that's possible with the door armrest or if I'm stuck trying to strip/spray it in situ...

Gizm0 · 10-09-2013, 11:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AutoWin.EU

Easy lesson how to remove trim cover is here:

Thanks for sharing, but damn! This video could have been done in 60 seconds... but over 6 minutes?? And what's up with the music?

Teufel_Hunden · 10-09-2013, 03:11 PM

Plasti-dip worked for me...

jwalker87 · 10-09-2013, 03:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sgm335i

Plasti-dip worked for me...

That looks good! Did you also Plasti-dip the other interior trim that wears similarly?

The Cleaner · 10-09-2013, 04:14 PM

Plasti-dip is like WD-40, it seems to be used for everything. I'd just buy a new one, they are not that costly.

1QuikWS6 · 10-10-2013, 02:11 AM

I wouldn't even waste my time trying to fix it, my time is more important than that - I would just get a new one for $75 and slap it on...

I replaced mine with a CF version long time ago - never have a problem with peeling

Mr.Smithers · 10-10-2013, 09:53 AM

get the alcantara trim for the steering wheel, it looks sick.

SwissCheeseHead · 10-10-2013, 10:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sgm335i

Plasti-dip worked for me...

Great (and proper) use of plastidip! Not all of us have $75 we can spend on trivial things like steering wheel trim. I love to DIY and if my steering wheel does this, I'll save the $75 for something worthwhile.

CruzS4e92 · 10-10-2013, 10:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gizm0

Thanks for sharing, but damn! This video could have been done in 60 seconds... but over 6 minutes?? And what's up with the music?

srs bsns. That music could have been in a level of GoldenEye for N64

Gizm0 · 10-10-2013, 01:15 PM

http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=476105

Rust-Oleum Camouflage Flat Black works better than plasti dip, and looks just like the brand new trim color.

Gizm0 · 10-10-2013, 02:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AutoWin.EU

Its even don't need to make video like this if everybody will be so cleaver like You gizmo

Jawohl

Teufel_Hunden · 10-11-2013, 09:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jwalker87

Quote:

Originally Posted by sgm335i

Plasti-dip worked for me...

That looks good! Did you also Plasti-dip the other interior trim that wears similarly?

Yep, I plasti-dipped all the wood interior trim. Only took me a can and a half (5 coats) to finish the entire interior. Looks and feels great!

ChasVS · 10-11-2013, 09:39 AM

Or you could update to a newer look.

NashvegasR · 10-11-2013, 01:06 PM

Haven't seen that "newer look" before - where'd you get that / have a PN ?

Thanks

longnvu · 10-12-2013, 11:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sgm335i

Yep, I plasti-dipped all the wood interior trim. Only took me a can and a half (5 coats) to finish the entire interior. Looks and feels great!

can you post pics of your plastidipped interior?

how durable is it?

ChasVS · 10-12-2013, 10:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AutoWin.EU

I think chinese PN will not help...

Oh you are so wrong. It's from the 1 series. Got it at Tischer BMW.

jcut825 · 10-13-2013, 12:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ChasVS

Oh you are so wrong. It's from the 1 series. Got it at Tischer BMW.

Yep same trim on the x1 too.

ChasVS · 10-13-2013, 07:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jcut825

Yep same trim on the x1 too.

ChasVS · 10-13-2013, 07:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NashvegasR

Haven't seen that "newer look" before - where'd you get that / have a PN ?

Thanks

Don't have a PN, but I just ordered the Steering wheel cover for the 2013 135i from www.getbmwparts.com (Tischer BMW)

Teufel_Hunden · 10-22-2013, 02:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by longnvu

can you post pics of your plastidipped interior?

how durable is it?

Seems to be very durable.

07-11-2013, 10:12 AM	#1
Motorchoco Private 21 Rep 89 Posts Drives: 09 E90 335i M-Sport Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Canada iTrader: (0)	Steering Wheel Cover Bubbling? Fix I know a lot of people have problem with the steering wheel cover paint peeling and wearing off... Similar problem here except mine is "bubbling" The thing is...i can actually "push" those bubbles to the edge and they would disappear, but only reappear a day or two later. Is there any way I can "fix" this without repainting the cover or vinyl it? (I wouldn't mind taking the steering wheel cover off to fix it, but don't really want to do all the sanding and paint striping) Is there any chance a heat gun (or anything) could make the coating "stick" back on? Cause I can actually make the bubble go away by pushing it to the edge...the problem is they don't stick... btw car is out of warranty so can't take it to dealer Any help much appreciated! Attached Images
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07-11-2013, 10:18 AM	#2
N8N Lieutenant Colonel 170 Rep 1,843 Posts Drives: 2009 E92 335i 6MT Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: Berwyn Heights, MD iTrader: (2)	honestly, I only see a few solutions to this problem, all of which involve taking off the cover. 1) strip it and paint it with some matte black spray paint 2) have it vinyl wrapped 3) peel it off and polish the plastic with Novus or something for a "custom" high gloss look I don't think anything else will work. This execrable rubberized coating has been used on German cars for a decade or more - my A4 GTI 1.8T used the exact same stuff and it sucked back then and it sucks now. I've been meaning to try painting the trim on my own car but haven't actually been arsed to do it yet. At least you can take the steering wheel trim off. Not sure if that's possible with the door armrest or if I'm stuck trying to strip/spray it in situ...
	Appreciate 0 Quote

10-09-2013, 03:11 PM	#4
Teufel_Hunden Banned 8355 Rep 2,963 Posts Drives: 2013 M3 6MT LMB ZCP Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Maryland iTrader: (3)	Plasti-dip worked for me... Attached Images
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10-09-2013, 04:14 PM	#6
The Cleaner Thats all you need to know. 43 Rep 1,188 Posts Drives: 2018 M2 , 2016 X5 Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Nor Cal iTrader: (2)	Plasti-dip is like WD-40, it seems to be used for everything. I'd just buy a new one, they are not that costly. __________________ - M2 2018 LBB / Black - X5 F15 2016 Mineral White / Black 1981 Delorean number 6489
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10-10-2013, 02:11 AM	#7
1QuikWS6 No 55mph 1622 Rep 8,476 Posts Drives: F32 435ix MSport Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Blitzburgh, PA iTrader: (113) Garage List 2022 BMW M440ix Vert [0.00] 2015 BMW 435ix MSport [0.00] 2000 Pontiac Trans Am [0.00]	I wouldn't even waste my time trying to fix it, my time is more important than that - I would just get a new one for $75 and slap it on... I replaced mine with a CF version long time ago - never have a problem with peeling __________________ F32 435ix//MGM//M Sport-Prem-Tech-Driver Assist-Lighting-Cold Weather-Dyn Handling Pkgs//M4 Black Lthr Int w/M4 Alum Blade Trim//HK w/Bavsound Stg3//763M//M4 Euro LCI Tails//M4 Mirrors w/CF Covers//AWCarbon CF F/R Spoilers-Side Splitters-Diffuser 6WB/ID6 HU+HUD/IND M4 Alcantara Armrest//PURE S2 Turbo//AA FMIC+DP//ER CP+TIC//3.5bar TMAP/TS DV//AWE Tuning Exh w/Blk Tips//Turner MS CF Intake//BM3 Cary Jordan Tune//MPerf Diff//PrecRW Ignition Kit
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10-10-2013, 09:53 AM	#8
Mr.Smithers Second Lieutenant 22 Rep 258 Posts Drives: 03 Z4, 07 328, 11 535 Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: Long Island, NY iTrader: (2)	get the alcantara trim for the steering wheel, it looks sick.
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10-10-2013, 01:15 PM	#11
Gizm0 Colonel 426 Rep 2,136 Posts Drives: 08 e92 335i 6mt Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: Virginia iTrader: (1)	http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=476105 Rust-Oleum Camouflage Flat Black works better than plasti dip, and looks just like the brand new trim color. __________________ JB4 G5 w/ Backend flash - Walbro 450lpfp - VRSF DPs - VRSF 5" stepped IC - DCI - ER CP w/ Tial BOV - 335is clutch
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10-11-2013, 09:39 AM	#14
ChasVS Colonel 40 Rep 2,431 Posts Drives: 2012 MB ML350 Bluetec Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Central FL iTrader: (10)	Or you could update to a newer look. __________________ My speeding isn't the problem. It's the Slow Folks ahead of me that cause accidents!
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10-11-2013, 01:06 PM	#15
NashvegasR Lieutenant 174 Rep 532 Posts Drives: 2016 M4 F83 Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: Portland, OR iTrader: (4)	ChasVS that is great - where did you get that? Haven't seen that "newer look" before - where'd you get that / have a PN ? Thanks
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