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      05-13-2014, 08:20 AM   #1
abehwang
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Steering Wheel Leather Coating GONE

I believe the steering wheel leather coating is gone!
I tried cleaning my steering wheel today and the black ink/dye started to transfer onto my towel. (The area between 9-12 o'clock)
If I clean the other parts of my steering wheel, it doesn't transfer any ink.

I don't think there's a way to get the coating back, right?
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      05-22-2014, 12:54 PM   #2
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Quote:
Originally Posted by abehwang View Post
I believe the steering wheel leather coating is gone!
I tried cleaning my steering wheel today and the black ink/dye started to transfer onto my towel. (The area between 9-12 o'clock)
If I clean the other parts of my steering wheel, it doesn't transfer any ink.

I don't think there's a way to get the coating back, right?
What did you clean the steering wheel with? Unless it was with a stiff brush or strong solvent this is highly unlikely. This sounds like the dirt/grime/sweat from your hands that has deposited on the wheel.

Last edited by W Cole; 05-22-2014 at 01:35 PM..
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      05-22-2014, 03:27 PM   #3
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Quote:
Originally Posted by abehwang View Post
I believe the steering wheel leather coating is gone!
I tried cleaning my steering wheel today and the black ink/dye started to transfer onto my towel. (The area between 9-12 o'clock)
If I clean the other parts of my steering wheel, it doesn't transfer any ink.

I don't think there's a way to get the coating back, right?
your steering wheel is telling you to replace it with a brand new performance version

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      05-23-2014, 03:49 PM   #4
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      05-23-2014, 09:35 PM   #5
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Crazy as it sounds, I used a product called "Chap Wax" to refinish a steering wheel area that had been over zealously cleaned (Griot's Interior Cleaner took the finish off). Ordered it online from a company called Ray Holes. It waterproofs the area and makes the leather more shiny and smooth (may need several coats over time).

In general, don't clean a leather steering wheel with anything, even water.
They can be lightly buffed with a soft cloth and treated with certain leather conditioners, but any kind of aggressive cleaning seems to be a bad idea.
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      05-24-2014, 11:12 PM   #6
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Take a picture, so I can tell you what is going on..
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      05-26-2014, 10:04 AM   #7
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Have you found out anything on this? I picked up a 2009 m3 a few weeks back, and I tried a little Griots conditioner, and the microfiber went black. I tried water, thinking perhaps it was dirt, and that pulled off slight bits of leather shavings, so I quickly halted.

Very interested to hear what you learn...
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      05-27-2014, 07:54 AM   #8
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Quote:
Originally Posted by cambit View Post
your steering wheel is telling you to replace it with a brand new performance version

I like this, but keeping alcantara clean is a whole different nightmare.
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      05-28-2014, 05:24 AM   #9
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Zelig View Post
Have you found out anything on this? I picked up a 2009 m3 a few weeks back, and I tried a little Griots conditioner, and the microfiber went black. I tried water, thinking perhaps it was dirt, and that pulled off slight bits of leather shavings, so I quickly halted.

Very interested to hear what you learn...
I had the same issue, the microfiber went black and also it did look like bits of leather shavings were being rolled.
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      05-28-2014, 05:25 AM   #10
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Beemdog View Post
Crazy as it sounds, I used a product called "Chap Wax" to refinish a steering wheel area that had been over zealously cleaned (Griot's Interior Cleaner took the finish off). Ordered it online from a company called Ray Holes. It waterproofs the area and makes the leather more shiny and smooth (may need several coats over time).

In general, don't clean a leather steering wheel with anything, even water.
They can be lightly buffed with a soft cloth and treated with certain leather conditioners, but any kind of aggressive cleaning seems to be a bad idea.
I don't want to make my steering wheel shiny. However, if it makes it matte, i'll consider this product.
Why did you use Chap Wax?
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      05-28-2014, 10:07 AM   #11
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Quote:
Originally Posted by abehwang View Post
I had the same issue, the microfiber went black and also it did look like bits of leather shavings were being rolled.

Yes, that is precisely the same issue (including the shavings).

Any ideas? It is hard to believe that is just caked in dirt. Worried to put anything at all on the wheel at this point...
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      05-28-2014, 12:44 PM   #12
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take a picture please! lol..
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      05-28-2014, 01:31 PM   #13
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Quote:
Originally Posted by drifts500 View Post
take a picture please! lol..
You won't really see a difference because it is black. However, the feel is more stickier than smooth
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      05-28-2014, 08:17 PM   #14
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Quote:
Originally Posted by abehwang View Post
I don't want to make my steering wheel shiny. However, if it makes it matte, i'll consider this product.
Why did you use Chap Wax?
It was obvious that parts of the finish of the leather had been cleaned to the point of being dull and slightly porous. Leather is naturally very dull before the surface coating is applied. I'm not talking about the tanning or dyeing, but the processes used to make the surface of the leather smooth and durable. Once that surface finish is compromised, it is very tough to recreate the finish as an end user who is not working in a leather factory!

So the chap wax is one possible approach which I used to restore the smooth feel and waterproofing of the wheel, and protect it from further damage by constant handling. It will not make the leather very shiny, but it will be less dull than before-- after several coats. Heat will cause the wax to soak in and allow further application of the product. After a few coats and a few days time I got this particular steering wheel to a point where it looked/felt good enough to not be noticeable without a close inspection in good light. Originally the wheel felt "dry" whenever I touched the over-cleaned part of it... cured that as well. Repeated contact with hands can actually improve the finish over time on a steering wheel, if the leather is not too porous and the color die is intact.

Another product worth considering is Leatherique Rejuvinator Oil, which also requires heat to perform correctly. It claims to contain "collagens" which may or may not be something similar to what is in the chap wax.

In the long run you may never perfectly match the factory finish with these home remedies, IMO, but you can make the wheel look and feel good enough to keep you from running out and buying a new one.
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      05-29-2014, 03:39 PM   #15
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Have you tried a leather scrub pads?
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      06-02-2014, 09:38 AM   #16
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Zelig
Quote:
Originally Posted by abehwang View Post
I had the same issue, the microfiber went black and also it did look like bits of leather shavings were being rolled.

Yes, that is precisely the same issue (including the shavings).

Any ideas? It is hard to believe that is just caked in dirt. Worried to put anything at all on the wheel at this point...
I thought the same thing. I'd need a pic to confirm, but based on that description of "rolled of leather shavings", mind was like that and after some basic cleaner and lots of rubbing, the dirt came off and my wheel shines again
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      06-02-2014, 11:12 AM   #17
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Quote:
Originally Posted by thekurgan View Post
I like this, but keeping alcantara clean is a whole different nightmare.
Nah, as long as your hands are decently clean, alcantara is actually a durable alternative to leather. To clean it, I soak a microfiber in water and let the rim soak for a few seconds, then I very gently scrub with a soft bristled brush and then I dry it with a separate towel. I did this once a year for 4 years on my Z's alcantara wheel and it looked brand new when I traded it in a few months ago.
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      06-03-2014, 09:33 PM   #18
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I agree with the above about alcantara, I got this wheel as soon as it came out and I daily drive my M, it's holding up great.
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      06-03-2014, 09:45 PM   #19
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I agree with the above about alcantara, I got this wheel as soon as it came out and I daily drive my M, it's holding up great.
I love that wheel so much
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      06-03-2014, 10:31 PM   #20
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Quote:
Originally Posted by rjd598
Quote:
Originally Posted by IntegraXTR View Post
I agree with the above about alcantara, I got this wheel as soon as it came out and I daily drive my M, it's holding up great.
I love that wheel so much
Yep! Me too. I like the flat base as well. I have yet to test out the 1/4 mile timer tho haha
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      06-13-2014, 09:41 PM   #21
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http://www.leatherique.com/steering-wheels.html

An excellent article and DIY on repairing your leather wear issue. The example is even on a M3 wheel. Steering wheel repair kit is $25.
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      06-15-2014, 01:00 PM   #22
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Quote:
Originally Posted by IntegraXTR
I agree with the above about alcantara, I got this wheel as soon as it came out and I daily drive my M, it's holding up great.
I like that. What did that cost ya?
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