Why is my steering wheel shiny?

[Damage Inc]

Just picked up a 11 M3. The steering wheel is "shiny" where my previous M3 it was more "matte". I was very anal about how I took care of my previous one. I cleaned it regularly with a damp cloth, used a little leather cleaner from time to time, and make sure that I had minimal cream on my hands to get it slimy

What can I do to get this one back to a healthy state? Its a little "slippery". I use chemical guys leather cleaner, tried a little bit of that.

Ideas?

Thanks.

[1MOREMOD]

Usually due to oils from owners hands. Not sure what product is being suggested but been discussed before.

[Wei718]

Leatherique will take care of that oil and return it to the original matte finish.

[Damage Inc]

Originally Posted by Wei718

Leatherique will take care of that oil and return it to the original matte finish.

Ah, good tip. I have some and will need to try it.

[Vic311]

As stated, the leather is probably filthy. Use a good leather cleaner and conditioner. I use Lexol.

[///M Power-Belgium]

Originally Posted by Wei718

Leatherique will take care of that oil and return it to the original matte finish.

Originally Posted by MojorisinM3

Ah, good tip. I have some and will need to try it.

+ 1 and 4sure !
The only solution is here> http://www.m3post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=768340

[AMG_LAWL]

Hey buddy! I have a great solution for you, take a terry cloth and spray about 5-7 pumps of windex on a corner piece about 4 inches by 4 inches. Then take that rag and rub it all over the wheel (press and rub pretty hard).. Then take the dry side and rub it all off, you'll notice the "matte" coming back to life! This is perfect because the leather used on a steering wheel is extended leather, so its not affected by ammonia at all!

You can thank me later!

[gatorfast]

You gots oily hands yo

[Vic311]

Originally Posted by m3bot

Hey buddy! I have a great solution for you, take a terry cloth and spray about 5-7 pumps of windex on a corner piece about 4 inches by 4 inches. Then take that rag and rub it all over the wheel (press and rub pretty hard).. Then take the dry side and rub it all off, you'll notice the "matte" coming back to life! This is perfect because the leather used on a steering wheel is extended leather, so its not affected by ammonia at all!

You can thank me later!

Windex on leather??

You never want to use ammonia based products on leather.

[dparm]

Another vote for Leatherique. It is a sort of atom bomb treatment so one application a year is usually sufficient. I use Leather Master products for periodic maintenance -- once a month is generally sufficient.

When leather gets shiny it is because grime/dirt has acted like sandpaper and has polished the surface of the leather. Best ways to prevent this are to (A) make sure anything coming in contact with the leather is clean, (B) not sliding across your leather seats unnecessarily, and (C) clean and protect the leather regularly.

[Sebringjetta]

Originally Posted by gatorfast

You gots oily hands yo

[Harry Da Hamster]

If it's really shiny, i'd recommend a light cleaning with 1Z Einszett Deep Plastic Cleaner first. Then with an immediate follow up with a thick slather of Leatherique Rejuvinator, wrap steering wheel with saran wrap and let it sit for a full day in the sun, then clean with Leatherique Pristine Clean.

[dparm]

Originally Posted by FNG

If it's really shiny, i'd recommend a light cleaning with 1Z Einszett Deep Plastic Cleaner first. Then with an immediate follow up with a thick slather of Leatherique Rejuvinator, wrap steering wheel with saran wrap and let it sit for a full day in the sun, then clean with Leatherique Pristine Clean.

I would not recommend applying Deep Plastic to a leather surface.

BTW I find that a toothbrush works best to clean the wheel, especially the stitching.

[V8FunNaturally]

Originally Posted by Wei718

Leatherique will take care of that oil and return it to the original matte finish.

Originally Posted by m3bot

Hey buddy! I have a great solution for you, take a terry cloth and spray about 5-7 pumps of windex on a corner piece about 4 inches by 4 inches. Then take that rag and rub it all over the wheel (press and rub pretty hard).. Then take the dry side and rub it all off, you'll notice the "matte" coming back to life! This is perfect because the leather used on a steering wheel is extended leather, so its not affected by ammonia at all!

You can thank me later!

are you ..... crazy ?
OP unless you want to have a cracked, dry and peeling leather one year later ignore that post !

--> Leatherique

another thing that works it too steam a couples of clean MF towels. (putting them under hot running water and wring them dry). Then wrap your wheel with them for 1 minute. Then take the other side of the towel to gently wipe off the wheel. Repeat 3-4 times with more hot steamed towels. Let wheel dry, it will be silky and mat like new.

[OldenburgerM3]

feel the leather around the rest of the car, some pieces are smooth, some pieces are more rough. That's the nature of leather. Some steering wheels are smooth, some are rougher. It's likely more a factor of leather piece than it is a factor of greasy hands.
I've driven two Ms with the same wheel and under similar care the steering wheels feel different. Leather. Cows.

[fastmike]

Definitely oil.

Try any of the above methods. Remember ways try least aggressive first.

Whatever you do, don't use a Mr Clean Magic Eraser it's too abrasive.

[Denk]

Sounds like somebody Armor All'd the wheel. Use a quality leather cleaner/conditioner on it, hopefully it'll come back to normal. I also use Leatherique, it does a superb job.

[JR M3]

Originally Posted by m3bot

Hey buddy! I have a great solution for you, take a terry cloth and spray about 5-7 pumps of windex on a corner piece about 4 inches by 4 inches. Then take that rag and rub it all over the wheel (press and rub pretty hard).. Then take the dry side and rub it all off, you'll notice the "matte" coming back to life! This is perfect because the leather used on a steering wheel is extended leather, so its not affected by ammonia at all!

You can thank me later!

Ammonia is one of the worst chemicals to use on the leather. It will dry out the leather. Horrible idea

Originally Posted by FNG

If it's really shiny, i'd recommend a light cleaning with 1Z Einszett Deep Plastic Cleaner first. Then with an immediate follow up with a thick slather of Leatherique Rejuvinator, wrap steering wheel with saran wrap and let it sit for a full day in the sun, then clean with Leatherique Pristine Clean.

Plastic cleaner should never be used on leather. Hence what its made for "plastic"

OP I have tried many different products. Here are some of my favorites

1. Swissvax/ Colourlock
2. Leather Master
3. Auto Finesse Hide

Here is the colourlock leather cleaner 50/50 on an M3 wheel:

[Harry Da Hamster]

Originally Posted by dparm

I would not recommend applying Deep Plastic to a leather surface.

Originally Posted by JR M3

Plastic cleaner should never be used on leather. Hence what its made for "plastic"

Almost all leather interiors including BMW Nappa Leather is coated in either Vinyl or Urethane. It's perfectly acceptable to clean these leather interiors with 1Z Einzsett Deep Plastic Cleaner. But as i mentioned earlier, i would immediately follow up with a good leather conditioner such as Leatherique Rejuvinator and Pristine Clean.