What is the best cleaner to use? I just tried BlueMagic leather & Vinyl cleaner. It didn't do much at all. It's still sticky and looks a little dirty.
I hate the sticky feeling on it.

 

this is what I use. works great .. I go back over the wheel with a clean terry towel when I am done, to get rid of any slippery feeling.

took all the sticky crap off the wheel of the 1993 lexus I just bought.

 

The 'sticky' could be a breakdown feature of the leather... be careful with any product that you utilize. My hunch is that the only true fix may be replacement...

 

Rockpick,

Can the leather breakdown quick? My truck is only 7 months old and has 12k on it. It's only sticky where I hold the wheel to drive. The sticky feeling is worse while I'm driving after my hand is on the wheel for a few minutes.
Is there a tsb for it, if not, would it be covered under warranty? Or would the dealer say it's my fault.
The leather doesn't look bad. It started looking bad and felt gooey while I was cleaning it. After it dried it looked fine. It also didn't feel so sticky. But when I drove into work this morning It felt a little more sticky in the heat while driving again. It is less noticable when cold and not being driven. Thanks, Whitecrystal1

 

Tough call sight unseen. I've definitely seen steering wheels (consoles for that matter) that have exhibited similar characteristics. These, typically and to my recollection, were because the clear on the leather was breaking down.

I don't really know how to answer your questions... I'm sure it wouldn't hurt getting it looked at (stealership) but, my hunch is that they're going to say that it's misuse and your fault -- I don't know man... Sorry.

 

I have it their now for some other things. I'll ask about it when I go pick it up tomorrow. I'll let you know what they say.

Thanks a lot

 

The leather has lost its protective coating. It can happen when it is cleaned with certain products or aggressive methods are used.

I noticed that possible certain hand cremes/lotion tend to cause this as well. I just hate it when my hand sticks back to the steering wheel when I dvive a customers car.

I was never able to find any type of repair or band-aid to the problem. Possible it could be defective....ask the dealer but don't mention any cleaning of the steering wheel.

 

The dealer called and said the truck won't be ready until tomorrow. So I asked about the steering wheel. To my suprise the first thing said was will take care of it. I don't know what that means yet. But sounds like it won't be an issue. I'll post what they did when I pick it up tomorrow.
Thanks guys.

 

Excellent! G'luck!

 

For those of you who aren't as fortunate to have such a courteous of a dealership as Whitecrystal, I reccommend getting a steering wheel cover. I got a Ford Racing one, and I get compliments on it (granted, I'm in High School). As long as it matches the interior colors, you're golden. (I've got a Silver F-50 Sport, 2003, w/ the dark charcoal interior, which = black leather wrapped steering wheel and lotsa' black plastic.)

 

I got my truck back today. They didn't get everything yet. They had it for two days. The steering wheel and the rail dust had to be rescheduled. I had a short list of things and brought the wheel up after the first day they had it. They said the will look at it when I bring it back. The reason I have to bring it back and they didn't finish everything the first time is because the are going to have a body shop look at the rail dust.
Well sense they didn't getto it yet. I thought I would try Gipraw suggestion on the Meguiar's wipes. I wiped a spot tonight and it looks like it might be all it needs. I think I'll try it some more tomorrow

 

Do what you need to do but, I think I'd give it a go at getting a *NEW* wheel first. Put the wipes in your back pocket in case they don't warranty it...

I'm not condoning dishonesty here -- it sounds like the wheel may have had problems from the beginning -- just making a suggestion.

 

It's been a little while sense this post but I just got my truck back form the reschedule on the steering wheel issue and the dealer has replaced the wheel without any problem. The also ordered me a new radio because mine has started to have poor reception and the cd's where getting so hot it wouldn't play them all the time.
btw, I did use the Meguiars wipes until I got it fixed. They helped some but it was still a little tacky. The leather it's self looked fine the only thing I can figure is what Lost Pup said is the clear protective coating was the problem.

Thanks again everyone

 

Atleast its early for you, too late for me, no option for me but to get a whole new wheel......



I agree with the rich leather wipes though, they do a very good job & smell like a shampoo bottle. I use them on the softness on my doors also.