Dirty OEM steering wheel?

[Powashiftin]

What product(s) do you recommend to get the OEM looking brand new again?

[radiofrequency]

To the OP, I only recommend products here after extensive use and experience. I also tend toward simplicity, I try and use the least amount of product and stick to what works over time. My detailing closet is not overwhelmed with many different types of cleaners, my only disclaimer being that the products for paint correction have improved so much over the past 5 years, so it's hard to keep up with those! I use this product to clean all of my interior surfaces:

http://www.autogeek.net/1z-einzett-cockpit-premium.html

I have been using this product exclusively for several years, some here might say that it has the propensity to dry out leather surfaces, however, I have not experienced this phenomenon. I do use Leatherique once a year on all leather surfaces as a preventative measure, my leather still looks new after 4 years and you would swear that I have a new steering wheel on my car. The product referenced also does a great job of cleaning the iDrive screens without leaving residue or streaking behind. I use a clean microfiber on which I introduce a little of the product and then spray lightly on surfaces to be cleaned. I stress that microfiber gives you the best result without streaking. You might need several passes to clean your steering wheel if it has a lot of ingrained dirt and oils. I recently completed a full interior detail on the wife's A7 and she was blown away - "my car is better than new!" direct quote. Hope that this helps!

PS: I purchase the product in bulk (10 liter typically). Autogeek has a Gift Certificate sale right now where you are able to purchase a $200 gift certificate for $160. An idea might be to purchase yourself such, and then turn around and use it to purchase the 10 liter and some of the smaller spray bottles of the product. I have three of the spray bottles which I refill from the 10 liter container. Just an FYI, I have no affiliation to Autogeek, I am an equal opportunity detailer purchasing from Detailers Domain, Autogeek and Chemical Guys.

[Quicksilv3r]

I've been using SONAX Leather Foam and I can attest that it is an outstanding product.

www.detailersdomain.com

[Powashiftin]

I've used 1z on the steering wheel but it's not doing the trick. Maybe I need some kind of rejuvenator?

[Beemdog]

Originally Posted by Powashiftin

I've used 1z on the steering wheel but it's not doing the trick. Maybe I need some kind of rejuvenator?

I would caution you not to over-clean a steering wheel. Sometimes when it is rubbing off black it is the leather dye and not just dirt. Liquid cleaners in combination with years of handling can result in a sudden softening and breakdown of the leather finish. Removal of any part of that finish is not a pretty sight, and will feel dried out. Sometimes it is better to leave steering wheels to age naturally (at least the leather parts). Also, cleaning tends to spread black discoloration onto the colored stitching (on wheels that have that-- like an M3).

[dparm]

Originally Posted by Powashiftin

I've used 1z on the steering wheel but it's not doing the trick. Maybe I need some kind of rejuvenator?

Leatherique is very effective.

To clean the stitches, I just use a few drops of laundry soap in warm water and a toothbrush.

[Detailers Domain]

got a photo of the condition of your steering wheel.

einszett cockpit and sonax leather foam are great but you might need something else.

[Powashiftin]

Originally Posted by DetailersDomain

got a photo of the condition of your steering wheel.

einszett cockpit and sonax leather foam are great but you might need something else.

Thanks. I'll snap a pic tomorrow morning and post it

[Powashiftin]

See pics. Mostly left area

[BimmerRookie]

Is that the dye rubbing off? Maybe a rejuvenator if it's not the dye

[Powashiftin]

Originally Posted by BimmerRookie

Is that the dye rubbing off? Maybe a rejuvenator if it's not the dye

Which one do you recommend?

[BimmerRookie]

Try sonax leather foam first (gently). If that doesn't do the trick, Try Swissvax or leatherique.

Does the shiny surface feel oily or is the feel consistent across the surface?

[Powashiftin]

To be Honest, I think the dye has rubbed off. Should I use something like leatherique?

[BimmerRookie]

I've never used leatherique, but I've only heard good things about it. I don't want to be the one to tell you to buy it, because I'm not 100% sure it's the correct product for this application.

I hope somebody else can chime in here. One another note, that's a really odd place to wear on the steering wheel....How do you hold the wheel when you drive?

[WingZeroX5]

I've steam cleaned my entire leather interior, including the steering wheel, and you won't believe the amount of dirt/grime removed from the leather fibers. After that, I used leatherique products to restore the proper oils back onto the leather.

The leather literally feels like new now

[Powashiftin]

I purchased the car recently and the steering wheel was worn like it is. I assume the previous owner had a sweaty left hand - ha!

[BimmerRookie]

maybe friction from leather gloves while driving in colder months? Beats me. I would say give it a good cleaning and try leatherique

[shinsplint]

Some great advice here people.

I picked up my 2008 M3 just recently and the steering wheel and gearknob were surprisingly filthy, i'm guessing never cleaned !

[dparm]

Originally Posted by shinsplint

Some great advice here people.

I picked up my 2008 M3 just recently and the steering wheel and gearknob were surprisingly filthy, i'm guessing never cleaned !

Older cars, or those that have been driven more, will probably just be dirtier by nature. What's happening is that the dirt and oils from your skin are actually polishing the leather over time, hence the shiny/smooth appearance. Same thing happens on the seats (your pants will basically act like sandpaper as you move around).

It can be very tricky to undo that short of having the wheel re-wrapped. It's why a bit of routine maintenance goes a long way to slow down that process.

I also advise people to use some diluted laundry soap and warm water to clean the steering wheel stitching. Just use a toothbrush to scrub it every once and a while.

[CHE///MIST3]

The Leatherique 2 step process is a great product when you use both the rejuvenator oil first and let it sit for a few hours in the heat, and then come back to clean it off with the Prestine Clean liquid. (yes it's spelled "prestine") What all this does is softens the leather, draws out the grime and hand oils and then the cleaner washes away all grime and takes away the shine that develops on the wheel after gripping it for months at a time. The leather takes on that soft, matte factory new feel.

Give it a try! I am happy with how well it works. I have a 6spd so the left hand side of my wheel gets the treatment twice as often, lol.

GM

[R3dliner]

I've used leatherique on my steering wheel and if you rub too hard the dye will start coming off. You can tell because originally you can see the grains on the surface. I'm going to try swissvax next to see if there is any improvements.

[katchup]

I love using chemical guys leather cleaner on my steering wheel.