Steering Wheel Pad Color Coming Off

I have an '03 CL with a tan (taupe?) interior. The steering wheel pad look like hell. Some of it was dirt, but in my efforts to get the dirt off, I managed to remove more of the tan color, exposing black underneath.

I checked an online parts catalog, and the steering wheel pad seems to only be available by buying the air bag assembly, at $600 (ouch).

Has anyone else had this issue?

If so, what is the solution?

Thanks much :yum: