Restoring Rock Warrior/Tomahawk Shift knob leather

Hi everyone, my first post on here!

Has anyone tried to restore the leather on the top of the Rock Warrior Tomahawk shifter? I just purchased one and the leather is very gummy and melted from heat over time. I was considering scraping it off and maybe gluing down some new leather.

just curious if anyone has done the same.

 

I am in the same boat, buying a used one but it has a bluish tint to the leather so I am planning on getting a new black piece to fit.

I was planning on using very sharp scissors as to get clean edges, then using 3m spray adhesive, make sure you use a soft plastic pry tool to push down on the edges to make it as clean as possible. Also making sure to tape up the handle as to prevent overspray or residue.

 

Let me know how it comes out! I'm curious to see what leather options are out there.

 

Does it come apart at all? Cutting and gluing won't look good or last long.

 

Welcome from NY.

 

Try soaking it down with 303 protectant and scrubbing it

 

I'm not familiar with that. Does that help restore leather?

 

People on the forum have had success fixing their sticky steering wheels using that.

 

im pretty sure the OEM piece of leather is just glued in place to begin with. Most vehicle interiors are done that way with spray adhesive and using attention to detail.

I bought one sight from a wrecker online and it should be in soon.

 

the leather options are nearly endless.
If you have an upholstery shop near you I’m sure you get a scrap larger than what you need for dirt cheap

 

It looks tucked around the edges of whatever its glued too. I would try to loosen those bolts all around and see if that piece can come out.

 

Oh I agree, my first step is to take it down as much as I can. It would nice if it tucked in under two pieces of the handle.

I am going to go crazy and probably cerakote it and get some custom black bolts for it.

I might do a “restoration” thread when I get mine in the mail

 

If its real leather, and it looks like it is, try getting some Lexol leather cleaner and conditioner. I use it for everything leather and it's great. 303 is meant for plastic and rubber and may work on the majority of steering wheels on tundras which are rubber,not leather.

 

It would be great if its like a half barrel shape in there that's bolted in, would come right out for repairs and rewrapping

 

I will let you know in about a week. I just got my shipping notice from the place I bought it from

 

I cleaned up the steering wheel on my 97 GMC Sierra that was all dirty and gummy. It was "leather wrapped" not sure if real leather or what, but I cleaned it up multiple times with griots interior cleaner and 303 when I was done and it cleaned up nicely! Its not gummy anymore. Doesn't look perfect but it is smooth and doesn't leave goo on my hands when its humid anymore.

fyi 303 works on finished leather, which that is. Not on unfinished leather like suede. If you are in doubt you could probably used lexol or something similar with similar results.

 

Hey guys, Just got my Rock Warrior knob in the mail and confirm the entire middle is completely removable by undoing the 3 Allen screws on each side (upper 3 on each side - 6 total)

The inside is a plastic insert that the leather sits on. I'll post a pic later today. I'm going to go hunting for a nice piece of leather to replace with.

All in all, this is probably the easiest restoration you could possibly ask for.

 

Great to hear, mine should be here Saturday!

 

Are all of the Allen bolts removable? Like if I wanted to get some anodized colored replacements?

 

Yep. I'm hoping to find a good stainless replacement, as the ones I have are a little rusty.

 

been eyeing this thread all week, finally curiosity got the better of me. Great, now i have to do this to mine

Other than seat covers, I haven't really touched the interior of my truck in the three years I've owned it. This little project will probably set off a completely new mania.

 

Helpful items you'll need:

1.) Spudger with a very thin edge to tuck the leather into the grooves on the side of the plastic insert(you'll see them when you remove the insert)

2.) Very thin replacement leather/vinyl. The space you have to work with for tucking in the sides can be pretty thin.

3.) Some sort of light adhesive for a snug fit. Someone mentioned 3m spray previously. I may give that a shot.

4.)Lots of patience. I tested this out with some cheap vinyl($.93 for 4'' strip) I picked up from Hobby Lobby. It took 3 attempts/pieces of vinyl to figure out how exactly to tuck everything in. Since the vinyl was obviously cheap quality, the spudger actually cut into the vinyl from pressing too hard.

I just ordered some scrap leather off eBay that's 1mm thick. I'm hoping this will be thin enough for this project, but I'll be sure to report back one way or the other.

 

Good work Pete!

 

@peteullo

about how big of a piece of leather will I need?

My shift knob is still in the mail but I have access to upholstery shops today

 

I didn’t measure, but not much. I’d say roughly 3x3”piece. @Jwood562

wouldn’t be a bad idea to have some extra pieces in case you damage the one you’re working on.

 

Thanks

 

@peteullo

do you mind if I post my restoration and information here in this thread so we can make it an official tomahawk rock warrior restoration thread.

 

Go for it!

 

That looks really nice.