Cleaning Steering Wheel

[Keith M.]

My steering wheel believed to be original from my 69 is in good shape...no cracks or whatnot..but is pretty sticky. Tried Windex which did not do much. What would be a good safe cleaner to use? 3M General Purpose Adhesive Cleaner?

Thanks,
Keith

[Frank E.]

Re: Cleaning Steering Wheel

I used the 3M General Purpose Adhesive Cleaner on my '04 wheel with great success. I've also heard that Lemon Ammonia at Dollar Tree woks well.

[David M.]

Re: Cleaning Steering Wheel

Its one of those things you will get 20 answers to and most are not wrong.
You don't want to get too aggressive with it. The stick will come back unless you get it 100% restored or wrapped. The plasticizers are breaking down in the covering material. GM never intended that wheel to go 50+years.

In the Oldsmobile camp for the 1970-1977 option code N34, 4 spoke custom-sport steering-wheel we use paint pre-cleaner for this purpose. It doesn't dissolve plastic or paint. You have to do it periodically. Wipe on wipe off.

Others use 99% IPA. Simple Green works. Dawn & warm water with a cloth works et al.

Some send it out to have it custom leather wrapped. The interior guy will put a layer of plastic between the wheel and the leather. Ive see this and it looks rather good if done professionally.

Cover it yourself with leather:

https://wheelskins.com/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TtLlReasVwo

Reproductions are out there:

https://www.fusickautomotiveproducts.com/prodinfo.asp?number=RWA705

Apparently a company exists that can restore the rubber...for a price...4 digits.

[Dave B.]

Re: Cleaning Steering Wheel

Windex is ammonia-based. I wouldn't go near leather with that. How about a dedicated leather cleaner? I use Colourlock cleaner and leather shield (expensive but worth it), but any leather cleaner from a reputable brand should do the trick.

[Keith M.]

Re: Cleaning Steering Wheel

Thanks David. My steering wheel is not leather..it is the "plastic" one. Wish it was leather as I know how to deal with that.

[Duke W.]

Re: Cleaning Steering Wheel

I've had that problem with my Cosworth Vega's steering wheel, which was also used on contemporaneous Corvettes. As I recall I used mineral spirits (paint thinner) or was it denatured alcohol, I forgot. Try each on a small test area.

Duke

[Mark S.]

Re: Cleaning Steering Wheel

Ditto on the 3M Adhesive Cleaner! The old formula that they discontinued worked the best.

[Leif A.]

Re: Cleaning Steering Wheel

Ditto on the 3M Adhesive Cleaner! The old formula that they discontinued worked the best.

Yup, this stuff works wonders.

[Jimmy J.]

Re: Cleaning Steering Wheel

This is a test post