Is this a dirty steering wheel or worn leather?

[Karnidge]

Hello Everyone,

I have been reading a lot about cleaning steering wheels lately. I am hoping you can help me out.

My car is fairly new. It's a 2014 Z4 with 17K miles on it. I bought it with 500 miles, basically brand new, and have driven it for a little over a year now.

I noticed that the left side of the steering wheel was sticky when driving to work the other day. I licked my finger and rubbed the area and a layer of dirt was coming off. I did some research and it sounded like this was a common problem and some leather master cleaner and/or degreaser would do the trick. My steering wheel was not shiny like older steering wheels get because, like I said, it has only been driven for about a year.

I tried the leather master degreaser and the leather master soft cleaner this evening and it didn't help. If anything, it looks like the leather is worn off to me. I don't see how this is possible but I took a picture. I am hoping to get some opinions or feedback. Is this just a dirty steering wheel and I need a better cleaner? OR is the leather worn through already?





Thanks,
Keith

[Hawkeye]

I am not a leather expert but I would be VERY surprised if it was worn through. Almost looks like it was damaged due to heat/cold to me. My 2007 leather doesn't even look that bad and I have almost 100k miles on it now.

[gpraceman]

Could it be from some lotion that you put on your hands or sweat stains?

[Karnidge]

I thought so at first. But while I was cleaning it, black stuff was coming off the wheel. Now that area is not smooth like the rest of the wheel. Whatever happened, it feels damaged to me.

A new steering wheel is going to run me $750.

[gpraceman]

I would imagine that an upholstery shop could touch that up for much less than a replacement steering wheel.

[W///]

Originally Posted by Karnidge

I thought so at first. But while I was cleaning it, black stuff was coming off the wheel. Now that area is not smooth like the rest of the wheel. Whatever happened, it feels damaged to me.

A new steering wheel is going to run me $750.

I would have it re-wrapped in alcantara, or maybe dyed black before I drop $750 on a new steering wheel.

[Karnidge]

Great suggestions. I didn't think about looking into leather repair service.

Is it difficult to keep alcantara clean on a steering wheel?

[Punisher3.0si]

Looks like wear to me.

[kaybat]

If it's a 2014, that may be a warrantee issue.Can't hurt to check.

[SD ///M4]

Originally Posted by Karnidge

Is it difficult to keep alcantara clean on a steering wheel?

Alcantra does not wear nearly as well as leather, particularly for steering wheels. I have a friend who installed the M Performance Steering wheel, which is mostly alcantara, in his M2. He has had alcantara steering wheels, alcantara seats, and alcantara trim in a number of his M3s and other BMWs in the past, so he's well aware of how alcantara wears. With his new wheel he almost always wears driving gloves specifically to extend the life of the alcantara on the new wheel.

[Reborn_]

It sounds like the material was coming off when you were cleaning it, not dirt. What cleaner, exactly, were you using?

[SaltyNC]

It sounds like it is too late for your steering wheel, but a trick I learned some time back for cleaning really dirty, oily leather is to use the same thing you would on your hands if your hands are greasy: Gojo Orange Hand Cleaner. You just rub it on and wipe it off quickly with a damp cloth, then follow-up with some traditional leather cleaner and then leather conditioner.

Salty

[3002 tii]

Originally Posted by Karnidge

Great suggestions. I didn't think about looking into leather repair service.

Is it difficult to keep alcantara clean on a steering wheel?

I got mine wrapped and prefer the new look over the factory leather. Maintenance isn't too bad, it just shows more wear if you don't do the minimum maintenance. But as someone pointed out gloves will definitely help.

[Karnidge]

The Alcantara wrapped steering wheel looks great!

I used Leather Master Degreaser and Leather Master soft cleaner on the steering wheel but most of the damage was already done when I did that. I rubbed the steering wheel with my fingers when the steering wheel started feeling sticky and some black stuff started coming off at that point.

I took your suggestion and had a leather restoration service re-dye the steering wheel and it turned out great. Looks brand new again and it only cost me $100.