Leather Help?

Matt92

Matt92

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Hey Guys,

The right side of my steering wheel feels smooth and sticky/tacky (depending on temperature) compared to the rest of the wheel. The leather is even a darker black (and shinier) than the rest of the wheel. My car only has 10k miles on it, got it in July.

Everywhere else on the wheel, the leather has some sort of texture and isn't sticky/tacky, but this is not the case on the right hand side. And the weird thing is, I rarely put my hands on the right hand side, which to me rules out that this is from wear and tear. Maybe the leather on this side is just defective, or more prone to wear? I tried cleaning the whole wheel with Meg's quick interior detailer, but was left with the same results. My next step was to try pinnacle's leather cleaner and conditioner. I thought this for sure would be the solution, but no dice.

I drive with both hands on the wheel when traffic gets bad, but the sticky right side of the wheel has made this uncomfortable... as it feels like my hand is sticking to the wheel on the right side.

From the picture you can clearly see the size difference of the "pores" and the darker color on the right side compared to the more grey color on the rest of the wheel. Any thoughts? Maybe a second round of pinnacle cleaner and conditioner? Maybe the left side is just really dried out?

I really appreciate the help, thanks guys!
-Matt
View attachment 39698
 
Sounds like you need a stronger cleaner. Something like Meguiars D101 APC@10:1

Most "leather cleaners" simply don't cut it when it comes to being able to deep clean anything past superficial dirt.
 
Eldorado2k said:
Sounds like you need a stronger cleaner. Something like Meguiars D101 APC@10:1

Most "leather cleaners" simply don't cut it when it comes to being able to deep clean anything past superficial dirt.
Click to expand...

Do you really think that a cleaner is the solution? I tend to disagree. I keep my car SUPER clean. I think this has more to deal with the material itself. The size of the pores and texture/feel of the wheel.

I don't think that dirt is a factor here, I could be wrong though
 
This maybe far fetched and doesn't make sense to you,but stoners aerosol cleaner which is intended for glass is awesome on steering wheels.spray and saturate the promblem areas massage with your hands no brushes and wipe away excess with a damp micro cloth,when wiping don't kill it just gently wipe or blot it.I find on some cases apc and leather and vinyl cleaners leave a sticky gummy feel to the wheel.cover the cluster area with a towel a spray it on heavey.my steering wheels are finicky to clean without texture on them and can be easily marred when new and to much pressure applied to it when wiping.Try that out of the sun if you like and let us know.
 
That's my 1st guess mainly because I can't imagine anything else being wrong with your steering wheel based on how new your car is and how clean you maintain it for the most part.
Only reason I specifically suggested Megs APC is because it's a for sure safe cleaner on that surface. But in reality you could try what GSKR suggested.
 
Interesting information guys, I'll definitely give that a try. I read somewhere that mere soap and warm water would work, or would you not suggest that?

I don't currently have an APC at hand, I'd have to order it.
 
@GSKR. What's a basic over the counter APC that would be safe for him to try to clean that spot?

If you truly feel it's a weird situation on your steering wheel you could always stop by the dealer.. Just make sure they don't try to charge you for it. Lol
 
This maybe far fetched and doesn't make sense to you,but stoners aerosol cleaner which is intended for glass is awesome on steering wheels.

spray and saturate the promblem areas massage with your hands no brushes and wipe away excess with a damp micro cloth,when wiping don't kill it just gently wipe or blot it.

I find on some cases apc and leather and vinyl cleaners leave a sticky gummy feel to the wheel.

cover the cluster area with a towel a spray it on heavey.

My steering wheels are finicky to clean without texture on them and can be easily marred when new and to much pressure applied to it when wiping.

Try that out of the sun if you like and let us know.
 
Maybe try diluted woolite and rinse with a damp micro.
 
Matt92 said:
Interesting information guys, I'll definitely give that a try. I read somewhere that mere soap and warm water would work, or would you not suggest that?

I don't currently have an APC at hand, I'd have to order it.
Click to expand...

I agree

Getting aggressive on steering wheels can turn ugly, quickly
 
Matt92 said:
Interesting information guys, I'll definitely give that a try. I read somewhere that mere soap and warm water would work, or would you not suggest that?

I don't currently have an APC at hand, I'd have to order it.
Click to expand...

I suggest not putting apc on the wheel cause your pretty much gonna etch the leather and you will be at square one again with the stickiness and gummy feel.
 
GSKR said:
I suggest not putting apc on the wheel cause your pretty much gonna etch the leather and you will be at square one again with the stickiness and gummy feel.
Click to expand...

Yeah, I was kind of leaning against doing anything too aggressive. Would there be anything wrong with soap and water?

Also, any thoughts on why the texture is different (pore size is different)?
 
2015 Honda Accord Coupe (the one in my profile)
 
Matt92 said:
Yeah, I was kind of leaning against doing anything too aggressive. Would there be anything wrong with soap and water?

Also, any thoughts on why the texture is different (pore size is different)?
Click to expand...

I'd personally try a gentle leather cleaner and spray it directly on a MF towel and wrap it around the wheel and gently twist. Follow up with a leather conditioner that dries to the touch and then wipe down with a dry towel. See if that fixes it.

Texture/pore size could be different for multiple reasons. Could be how the leather was stretched, etc.

The other thing I have seen happen, specifically with my sister's car. There was a spot on her wheel that I couldn't ever get clean / felt sticky.

She always uses lotion of some sort right when she gets in her car after work and holds the wheel in that spot the whole way home.
 
You need a leather cleaner first like CG leather cleaner.
Spray into the towel and the wrap the towel and lightly glide it over the wheel so that you are getting the full 360deg of the wheel.
Follow up with a dry towel and remove any residue and then apply a leather conditioner.

I had a similar issue on a 2015 Camry. It's something the factory or dealer used at prep that got tacky. I'd been covering it up with an interior detailed. Wasn't until I decided to figure out what it was by cleaning the wheel real good.
 
DasBurninator said:
I'd personally try a gentle leather cleaner and spray it directly on a MF towel and wrap it around the wheel and gently twist. Follow up with a leather conditioner that dries to the touch and then wipe down with a dry towel. See if that fixes it.

Texture/pore size could be different for multiple reasons. Could be how the leather was stretched, etc.

The other thing I have seen happen, specifically with my sister's car. There was a spot on her wheel that I couldn't ever get clean / felt sticky.

She always uses lotion of some sort right when she gets in her car after work and holds the wheel in that spot the whole way home.
Click to expand...

jcaustin87 said:
You need a leather cleaner first like CG leather cleaner.
Spray into the towel and the wrap the towel and lightly glide it over the wheel so that you are getting the full 360deg of the wheel.
Follow up with a dry towel and remove any residue and then apply a leather conditioner.

I had a similar issue on a 2015 Camry. It's something the factory or dealer used at prep that got tacky. I'd been covering it up with an interior detailed. Wasn't until I decided to figure out what it was by cleaning the wheel real good.
Click to expand...

Thanks guys, I'm going to try the Pinnacle Cleaner and Conditioner one more time and report back. Maybe I used too much of it last time. I'll let you know how it goes once I get home tonight.
 
Matt92 said:
Thanks guys, I'm going to try the Pinnacle Cleaner and Conditioner one more time and report back. Maybe I used too much of it last time. I'll let you know how it goes once I get home tonight.
Click to expand...

I think you need a cleaner only first to get off whatever is on there. Then you can go back over it with a combo or preferably conditioner only.
 
I have both Meguiars D181 Leather Cleaner and D101 APC.
There seems to be very little difference between D181 and APC@10:1
They smell different, and the D181 cleans slightly better. But that's about it.
 
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