One problem that Honda owners can easily relate to is the Honda steering wheel emblem peeling. It is more common in Honda Civics of the eighth generation. Between the years 2005 and 2012, this series was available for purchase. They’ve reached the point when their age is becoming apparent.
If you have one, you need not fear; you have found the appropriate spot. We have provided a detailed method to resolve this peeling emblem issue in the article.
To achieve a different shade for the logo, simply scrape off the old paint, tape off the surrounding area, and apply the new coat of paint. But, in terms of time and money, fixing a Honda steering wheel emblem that is peeling off is much less enjoyable than replacing it.
Cause of the Emblem Fading
To reduce expenses, Honda motor company made the emblem from a material other than chrome. It’s not chromes but plastic with a thin polyurethane coating that mimics the look.
Unfortunately, this layer isn’t very long-lasting; several customers have reported witnessing flaking beginning as early as the second year of ownership.
The eighth generation of the Honda Civic has seen an increase in the frequency of this issue. This lineup was available for purchase on the market between the years 2005 and 2012. They are clearly showing signs of aging at this point.
How to Fix Honda Steering Wheel Emblem Peeling Issue
Right in front of you in the middle of the steering wheel, this tarnished Honda logo has become the pet peeve of many owners. Here we will show you some simple methods to get your steering wheel Honda logo brand new.
Overall, all you need to do is give a proper sanding and a subsequent paint job for that ugly emblem to return to its former glory. We designed our guide to assist you with the intricate details of the process. You can check a video about that if you want.
Remove the Remaining Chrome Paint
If the initial chrome paint starts peeling, it’s impossible to salvage the remaining coating, and no solutions are available. Once someone damages the surface, it will begin to peel off faster. The initial step is to eliminate it to solve the issue.
Sanding the surface of the symbol with fine-grit sandpaper will be the most effective method for doing this task. Try to be thorough and clean all the nooks and crannies.
Make every effort to exercise caution so you do not scuff or otherwise damage the leather that covers the steering wheel.
Clean the Surface
After completing the sanding process, cleaning the emblem with a reputable cleaning product is crucial. At this point, removing any tiny particles that may still be stuck on the surface is necessary.
Following the application of the cleaning solution, wipe the affected area down with a piece of soft cloth, ideally one made of wool. Performing this technique three to four times is recommended.
Afterwards, it is necessary to remove any oil or grease build-up caused by frequent usage. You will require some rubbing alcohol to complete this. However, soapy water works as well.
Mask the Exposed Area
Before you can begin painting the remainder of the steering wheel, you must ensure it is adequately covered.
Making mistakes here could lead to a bigger mess than a faded emblem. So, it’s essential to be careful. Therefore, the approach that you use needs to be slow and methodical.
Apply a strip of masking tape around the emblem, then use it to cover the leather on the steering wheel.
After that, take several vast sheets of newspaper and drape them over the wheel’s outer edge to hide the dashboard. Covering the driver’s seat to prevent drips or streaks is also a good idea.
Choose the Paint Type and Color
There are a lot of different kinds of paints available, but the vast majority of them would not do the job for us. They can easily chip, bubble, and flake off, leaving the surface looking worse than it did before you started working with it.
Paints that are created with an oil-based medium and are designed specifically for use on various synthetic materials, such as polyester, polypropylene, polyethylene, PVC, and so on, are among the goods that are considered to be among the best.
There are also insulating rubber spray paints that are flexible and peelable. These also work relatively well here.
While these come off after some time, reapplying is easy, and the treated surface is pretty nice. Make sure to check the reviews before buying anything to ensure the product lives up to the manufacturer’s claims.
When it comes to colour, it largely depends on the user’s preference. After doing our tests, we decided to go with black because it looks impressive when contrasted with the steering wheel’s dark colour.
One thing to consider is that we were not successful in locating the chrome hue that the emblem had once had. Therefore, if you want it to have the same appearance as it did before, you can have a tough time doing it.
Apply a Few Coats of the Selected Paint
From our experience looking at the market, the product you went with is likely in spray paint form. In that case, slowly apply a light coating on the emblem surface.
Make sure that the previous coating is dry before applying another coat. Change the angle of your spray in each coat. If you don’t, it is possible to miss some indentation spots. Repeat this process until you are satisfied with how the surface looks.
Clean up the Masking and Polish off the Honda Logo
Take down carefully all the newspapers and masking tapes you hung up. If everything went according to plan, there should be no random splashes or smudges anywhere on the surface.
To achieve a flawless appearance of a steering wheel, simply use a soft cloth to polish the emblem. It will give it the same look as a newly produced steering wheel straight out of the factory.
Can You Replace the Peeled Emblem?
Replacing the emblem with a new one is preferable to simply painting over it. You can get these replica emblems on websites like eBay, Amazon, and others for cents on the dollar, which is less than the cost of paint and materials.
Be careful not to scratch or dent the steering wheel when replacing the emblem. First, check that you have the correct replacement parts; for example, different models need different symbols.
The procedure begins with detaching the screws used to fasten the emblem to the steering wheel’s hub. After removing the old logo, you can install a fresh one using factory or aftermarket components.
How to Replace the Honda Steering Wheel Emblems?
If the Honda emblem on your steering wheel has peeled, you must get a new one. A person with even rudimentary knowledge of auto repair should be able to remove and replace the Emblem component.
Following these instructions will allow you to reassemble the emblem. As a first step, when changing the emblem, be cautious not to ding or scratch the steering wheel itself or any of its parts.
After that, remove the airbag cover, remove the two screws from either side of the handlebar shaft, and pull the emblem outwards from both sides.
To swap the symbol, you must first identify the screw that secures it. This screw is typically situated close to one side of the handlebar saddle.
The old symbol can then be removed by unscrewing the corresponding screw and gently lifting it up and out of its place.
Then, using the included silicone adhesive or screws, reattach the new emblem to its new location after measuring the area and cutting a portion slightly more extensive than necessary with cutters or a razor blade.
Finally, specific versions include a heated steering wheel, so take care not to overtighten the bolts holding it in place. However, to avoid damaging yourself or your vehicle, getting a professional’s opinion is wise.
Precautions During the Process
Just like with any other DIY project, there are a few things you need to watch out for to keep yourself safe. For the most part, this holds in this case as well.
Ensure that the paint you want to use is nontoxic, as you frequently touch that part of the steering wheel while sounding the horn. Any harmful substances here can quickly enter your body, so be extra careful here.
We recommend that you do not try to remove or replace the emblem. It is part of the airbag assembly, and without the proper expertise, there is a danger of the airbag accidentally going off while tinkering with it, leading to injury.
Not to mention the monetary loss as replacing an airbag assembly is quite expensive.
Bottom Line
Replacing the Honda steering wheel emblem issue may be more exciting than fixing a peeling issue, but it also requires more effort and is more expensive. In this case, a new emblem at a low cost might be preferable to the old one that has faded.
You’ll need a few tools and know-how to replace the faded Honda emblem on the wheel, but it’s not too challenging. DIY guy can easily replace via following the solution given above with the help of essential tools like drills, saws, rubber, sticker, sandpaper, and scissors.
About the author
Marcus Brown is editor-in-chief of The FatMech and is a mechanic with ten years' experience based in London, UK. Having worked for major dealerships for many years, Marcus now works for a local independent garage and has experience working on nearly every make and model of car. Marcus also has a passion for writing and teaching, which is where the idea for The FatMech came from. In his spare time, Marcus enjoys playing golf, doing home renovations and gardening. He lives just outside London with his wife and son.