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A method of making a heated steering wheel comprises depositing an electrically conductive layer on at least a portion of a steering wheel substrate to produce thereon a heating element for receiving an electrical current and providing a source of heat. Also disclosed is a heating element for a stee

A method of making a heated steering wheel comprises depositing an electrically conductive layer on at least a portion of a steering wheel substrate to produce thereon a heating element for receiving an electrical current and providing a source of heat. Also disclosed is a heating element for a steering wheel and a heated steering wheel assembly formed using this method.

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1. A method of making a heated steering wheel, comprising:providing a steering wheel with a non-conductive substrate material having a non-uniform surface;spraying an electrically conductive layer on at least a portion of said substrate material to produce thereon a heating element for receiving an

1. A method of making a heated steering wheel, comprising:providing a steering wheel with a non-conductive substrate material having a non-uniform surface;spraying an electrically conductive layer on at least a portion of said substrate material to produce thereon a heating element for receiving an electrical current and providing a source of heat, said electrically conductive layer comprising a silver plated copper pigment and a thermoplastic binder;providing a bus bar to provide an electrical connection to said electrically conductive layer, wherein said electrically conductive layer is applied in a manner to accommodate said non-uniform surface and said bus bar such that a smooth surface is provided. 2. The method of claim 1, wherein said spraying includes spray coating, gas assisted spray coating, electrospray coating, powder spray coating, or a combination comprising at least one of the foregoing, said electrically conductive layer on said substrate material. 3. The method of claim 1, wherein said electrically conductive layer comprises a plurality of layers, at least one of which is electrically conductive. 4. The method of claim 3, wherein at least one of said plurality of layers is a protective layer. 5. The method of claim 1, further comprising providing a thermistor for controlling the heat output of said heating element. 6. The method of claim 1, wherein said electrically conductive layer has a non-uniform thickness. 7. The method as in claim 1, further comprising applying a layer of leather about said smooth surface. 8. The method as in claim 1, wherein said bus bar is spray applied on at least a portion of said substrate material prior to the application of said electrically conductive layer. 9. A heated steering wheel assembly, comprising:an electrically conductive layer spray deposited on at least a portion of a non-uniform steering wheel substrate to produce thereon a heating element for receiving an electrical current and providing a source of heat, said heating element being applied in a manner to provide a smooth outer surface while being applied to said non-uniform steering wheel substrate; anda second layer deposited over at least a portion of said heating element, wherein said electrically conductive layer comprises a silver pigment and an acrylic binder. 10. The assembly of claim 9, wherein said second layer comprises leather. 11. The assembly of claim 9, further comprising a control device for controlling the heat of said heating element. 12. The assembly of claim 11, wherein said control device comprises a thermistor disposed in thermal contact with said heating element. 13. The heated steering wheel assembly as in claim 9, wherein said electrically conductive layer is a single layer. 14. The heated steering wheel assembly as in claim 9, further comprising at least one bus bar disposed on said steering wheel insert prior to the spraying of said electrically conductive layer, wherein said electrically conductive layer is in electrical contact with said at least one bus bar. 15. The heated steering wheel assembly as in claim 9, wherein said outer layer conforms to said smooth outer surface of said electrically conductive layer. 16. A method providing a heated steering wheel, comprising:forming a conductive layer about a portion of a steering wheel insert by spraying an electrically conductive layer on said portion of said steering wheel insert, said conductive layer comprising a silver plated copper pigment and a thermoplastic binder, wherein said electrically conductive layer also being capable of providing EMI shielding;covering said conductive layer with an outer decorative layer, wherein said outer decorative layer is capable of being heated by passing an electrical current through said conductive layer. 17. The method as in claim 16, further comprising:positioning at least one bus bar on said portion prior to the step of spraying. 18. The method of claim 17, wherein said at least one bus bar is spr ay applied on to said portion. 19. The method as in claim 16, further comprising:rotating said steering wheel insert during the step of spraying. 20. The method as in claim 19, wherein said electrically conductive layer is sprayed from at least one stationary nozzle. 21. The method as in claim 19, further comprising:positioning at least one bus bar on said portion prior to the step of spraying. 22. The method as in claim 21, wherein said electrically conductive layer is a single layer. 23. A method of making a heated steering wheel, comprising:providing a steering wheel insert with a non-conductive substrate material having a non-uniform surface;spraying an electrically conductive layer on at least a portion of said substrate material to produce thereon a heating element for receiving an electrical current and providing a source of heat;providing a bus bar to provide an electrical connection to said electrically conductive layer, wherein said electrically conductive layer is applied in a manner to accommodate said non-uniform surface and said bus bar such that a smooth surface is provided, wherein said electrically conductive layer comprises a silver pigment and an acrylic binder. 24. The method as in claim 23, wherein the step of spraying further comprises: rotating said steering wheel insert when said electrically conductive layer is being applied to said substrate material. 25. The method as in claim 23, further comprising:applying a second outer layer to said smooth surface wherein said second outer layer is a material that conforms to said smooth surface of said electrically conductive layer. 26. A method of making a heated steering wheel, comprising:providing a steering wheel insert with a non-conductive substrate material having a non-uniform surface;spraying an electrically conductive layer on at least a portion of said substrate material to produce thereon a heating element for receiving an electrical current and providing a source of heat, said electrically conductive layer;providing a bus bar to provide an electrical connection to said electrically conductive layer, wherein said electrically conductive layer is applied in a manner to accommodate said non-uniform surface and said bus bar such that a smooth surface is provided, wherein said non-conductive substrate material is polyurethane and said electrically conductive layer comprises two elements disposed in a manner to avoid deposition of said electrically conductive layer on a parting line of said substrate material. 27. The method as in claim 26, wherein said bus bar is a pair of bus bars each being positioned for electrical connection with one of said two elements. 28. A heated steering wheel assembly, comprising:an electrically conductive layer spray deposited on at least a portion of a non-uniform steering wheel substrate to produce thereon a heating element for receiving an electrical current and providing a source of heat, said heating element being applied in a manner to provide a smooth outer surface while being applied to said non-uniform steering wheel substrate; anda second layer deposited over at least a portion of said heating element, wherein said electrically conductive layer comprises a silver plated copper pigment and a thermoplastic binder.