Tacky Steering Wheel

[Todd L.]

I moved my car the other day from the trailer where I store it to a garage. It was very hot inside the trailer; when I grabbed the steering original steering wheel, it was very tacky and whatever the material the wheel is made out of was stuck all over my hands. Is there anything I can do to clean it up, prevent this from happening again, or will I just need to get a new one? Why is it doing this? Where can I get a good steering wheel?

This is for a 74.

Thanks

Todd

[Mike F.]

Re: Tacky Steering Wheel

My 70 coupe T-top interior liners are doing the same thing. I've washed them with soap and water, wiped with alcohol, no help.
I think the plastic is just deteriorating due to age or whatever cleaner may have been used on it in the past. It's like they're melting.

Mike

[Tom H.]

Re: Tacky Steering Wheel

Mine does the same thing on my 73. The steering wheels started first, then the front bumper self destructed just sitting there under the cover. They are just getting old !

I've had success with some cleaners on my steering wheels, but the condition just returns after time.

[Todd L.]

Re: Tacky Steering Wheel

When I first purchased the car it was really bad. I cleaned it with soap, water, and alcohol; it seems the heat, like Mike said, is melting the wheel. What is it made of? Maybe knowing that, we may be able to address it better.

Todd

[Mike G.]

Re: Tacky Steering Wheel

i have never seen or heard of a cure for that. i bought a new on for my 70. the more you clean it the worse it gets

[Robert R.]

Re: Tacky Steering Wheel

..all which does make sense. Probably the best solution is to keep the wheel / car in a cool enviroment as much as possible. Avoiding the heat will keep it less sticky as well as not using cleaners that seem to allow the "oils" to come to the surface.

Sitting in the driveway with the top down, mine also has the same feel vs when it is in the garage and a bit cooler.

[Paul J.]

Re: Tacky Steering Wheel

Armor All or any silicon protectant might help some. It will seal the pores, but it might be too late. It probably would have delayed it from happening if all of the prior owners had used it.

[Ed D.]

Re: Tacky Steering Wheel

My 72 shows no sign of any of deteriation, but my 74 drives me crazy. I dont know the reason for the difference. The 72 has been in the garage since new, the 74 I have had since 91 and has been garaged since then, before that not sure.
Ed

[Gary C.]

Re: Tacky Steering Wheel

You might not believe this, but I had the same problem on my 72 and I researched this issue a few years ago on the Forum and someone suggested using a citrus based cleaner. Cleaned mine with a citrus based detergent and it worked.

Gary
Perth Australia