So, I saw a number of photo's of the M3 wheel (this car is new to me as of about 4-5 weeks ago). And I was floored by how well the alternating stitching popped in these photo's. Decided to tackle the job and see what would happen.
Warning to all those who acquire or who 'think' their steering wheel is clean. IT IS NOT!
I decided to use woolite stain remover, and after about 5 minutes with the tooth brush, realized there was a huge cake of oils and residue on my wheel. I have no idea if this is a coating of some kind or just a REALLY REALLY REALLY dirty wheel. Think 1995 ford mustang with the champagne interior, 20 years later! Black literally started to peel off the wheel with aggressive woolite and aggressive microfibers smearing/wiping the shit of this wheel.
Enjoy the photo's and the last one is the best before/after I could get.
Where I started (not to bad right?)
E93 m3 Cleaning the stitching and wheel by
Ian Bennett, on Flickr
Tooth brush action (again not to bad...)
E93 m3 Cleaning the stitching and wheel by
Ian Bennett, on Flickr
E93 m3 Cleaning the stitching and wheel by
Ian Bennett, on Flickr
Then all hell breaks loose, as quite literally a coating of shit on the leather starts to break down from the woolite that is spilling over onto the leather where the stitching isn't. Most disgusting thing I have ever seen in a car.
E93 m3 Cleaning the stitching and wheel by
Ian Bennett, on Flickr
It's not just one spot either, it's all over the top of the wheel as a slick nasty coating. I keep adding woolite and keep scrubbing (knowing I have leather masters vital ready to treat the leather and return all the 'good' oils back to the hide after this truly aggressive treatment)
E93 m3 Cleaning the stitching and wheel by
Ian Bennett, on Flickr
The towel (both sides looked like this when done!)
E93 m3 Cleaning the stitching and wheel by
Ian Bennett, on Flickr
Finally I get it clean, and the stitching really does pop super nice!
E93 m3 Cleaning the stitching and wheel by
Ian Bennett, on Flickr