Steering Wheel Cleaning

[Ken B]

How do you get 40+ years of gunk off of a steering wheel?

 

[HotWheelsBurban]

How do you get 40+ years of gunk off of a steering wheel?

Many years ago, when we were getting the GM comfort grip spoked steering wheels from the local Pick Your Part's, we had a plastic washtub that was large enough to dip them in. We'd keep it about half full of Simple Green and water(I think 50/50 mix, don't remember but it probably has suggestions on the label). It got all the wheels clean, though some did require some scrubbing due to grime in the texture of the vinyl. Some of these wheels were so grungy you couldn't tell what their color was....
On the factory leather wrapped wheels on my OBS trucks, we use water on a towel, or a wet wipe, depends on what type of grime is on it.

 

[bucket]

How do you get 40+ years of gunk off of a steering wheel?

Gunk, or the goo that comes from the degrading old rubber/plastic that the wheel is made from?

I usually either install a steering wheel cover, or replace the wheel. But I did not want to replace the original wheel on my '73 wagon. Iirc, I scrubbed it with glass cleaner and a terry towel several times. It feels 75% comfortable now.

 

[ali_c20]

I had to replace the steering wheels of my K5 and C20. Both where degrading and sticky like the hands of a 3 year old kid after eating cotton candy.
Cleaning only helped for like a week.

 

[Ken B]

thanks , will try to scrub and see how it turns out.

 

[brooksman9]

Used some Dawn spray foam on one yesterday. Worked fairly well.

 

[mlsceo]

Dawn, warm water, and a fairly stiff bristled brush. Helps to wet a towel with the soapy solution and wrap it on the wheel for a bit before using the brush. Softens up the grime.

 

[HotWheelsBurban]

I had to replace the steering wheels of my K5 and C20. Both where degrading and sticky like the hands of a 3 year old kid after eating cotton candy.
Cleaning only helped for like a week.

Skin oils and dirt are only part of the issue. Plastic, particularly the softer kinds, has oils in it that degrade over time, especially in hotter climates.
Those wheels we used to clean with Simple Green, we used to scrub them with plastic net like fruit bags, it's one of the few materials that won't abrade the vinyl too bad.

 

[My78truck]

I have a '78 C10 Silverado with an original steering wheel. It has started doing the sticky thing. I have watched some YouTube videos about cleaning it up, and using a flexible paint (Like SEM) to repaint it and seal it. I was told by an auto pant shop that I also needed to use the SEM sealer and then paint it. I am wondering if anyone has done this. Was it successful. Did it stop the stickiness. Did it start to flake off. I would prefer not to buy an new steering wheel to the cost of $250 if 2 cans of paint and some elbow grease will reward me with good results.

Thanks.

 

[Finkaire]

I have been using Wheelskins forever. They take a little while and a little patience to lace up, but they are extremely nice and last for years!

Also one on the El Camino that hides a couple cracks.

 

[idahovette]

That wheel on the El Camino is one of my favorite stock wheels. Had one on my 68 ChevyII

 

[Finkaire]

That wheel on the El Camino is one of my favorite stock wheels. Had one on my 68 ChevyII

Winner winner winner ‘68 it is!!!

 

[Memaloose]

Repeated cleanings about once a week for a couple months got rid of about 95% of the stickiness on my '75 K/20.
Mostly I used soap and water but I'm thinking there are specialty products as well.

 

[My78truck]

What I have done so far is spray it down with Dawn Power wash, let it soak, spray some more and then use a red scrubbing pad to scrub it down. Did that twice. I not is not sticky, but has a whiteish film. I am contemplating trying interior trim detailer. Or I might do what the paint guy suggested and purchase the SEM Tac Free and then spray with SEM flexible paint #15013.

Still contemplating but do like the look of the wheel skin.

 

[My78truck]

I have been using Wheelskins forever. They take a little while and a little patience to lace up, but they are extremely nice and last for years!

Will have to look into that.