best product for leather steering wheel care? (not look)

[Astral]

Hey folks,

I have only 2 places with leather on my car: the steering wheel and the shifter (knob + boot). The other day I tried using Meguiar's Rich Leather Wipes... not such a good idea. Sure, the shifter boot looked fantastic (blacker and shinier), and so did the steering wheel. After leaving the wheel alone for 5 hours, I came back and gave it a wipe w/ an MF. I semi-expected it: some excess buffed off and the wheel had less sheen.

As I began driving, the steering wheel felt quite slick, and I could still feel some of that Meg's stuff getting on my hands. Ick--that was crummy driving, w/ the wheel slipping (but it was only a 3 mile round trip). I came back and wiped down my steering wheel with a wet MF--it's back to normal now and I hope that I *did* do something useful with that Meg's stuff.

SO---I've seen older leather steering wheels peel/crack (depending on the car, of course). I want to take the best care of my steering wheel:

1) Best leather longevity/conditioning (feed the leather whatever it needs to be fed)
2) Don't care about smell
3) Don't care about look (as long as it doesn't look worse than untreated)

What should I use?

[BlackSunshine]

Zaino Z-10.

[NT2SHBBY]

Meg's rich leather wipes are junk IMO.....on my steering wheel (esp the wheel because of my extremely dry hands) I use Lexol and I find it to be the best for me. The cleaner leaves a nice clean appearance and grippyness, but the conditioner on top just seals the deal for me.

I've neglected to mention that I've used every single OTC leather care product and Lexol is definitely bar none....

[Accumulator]

Everybody has their favorites and their *least favorites* too. I've recently used Griot's, Lexol, Pinnacle, "Jaguar" -who knows who made it, it smells like soap, and Conolly Hide Food. All the above-named one worked OK for steering wheels, just wipe off the excess and accept that you might need to clean your hands after the first drive post-treatment. Nothing really nasty with any of those though.

I haven't tried my Leatherique yet, but the only complaints I've heard about it refer to its use on steering wheels, so I'm not gonna use it on those.

[Lou K]

Originally Posted by Accumulator

Everybody has their favorites and their *least favorites* too. I've recently used Griot's, Lexol, Pinnacle, "Jaguar" -who knows who made it, it smells like soap, and Conolly Hide Food. All the above-named one worked OK for steering wheels, just wipe off the excess and accept that you might need to clean your hands after the first drive post-treatment. Nothing really nasty with any of those though.

I haven't tried my Leatherique yet, but the only complaints I've heard about it refer to its use on steering wheels, so I'm not gonna use it on those.

Do not use leatherique on your steering wheel. I did and the results were not good. I have used the product on other leather in the car with great results but not the wheel.

[1SLOW50]

Originally Posted by BlackSunshine

Zaino Z-10.

That is all you need to know, and I am sure many others will agree.

[Offender_Mullet]

Four Star Leather Cleaner and Four Star Leather Conditioner work fantastic. I've only had to condition the steering wheel 3 times in the past year. This stuff definitely holds up.

[Accumulator]

Originally Posted by Lou K

Do not use leatherique on your steering wheel. I did and the results were not good. I have used the product on other leather in the car with great results but not the wheel.

You too huh? This is what *everybody* seems to say.

[Astral]

Originally Posted by Offender_Mullet

Four Star Leather Cleaner and Four Star Leather Conditioner work fantastic. I've only had to condition the steering wheel 3 times in the past year. This stuff definitely holds up.

how do you know that the stuff is "holding up"?

i.e. how can i tell how conditioned or not the leather is?

[Astral]

thanks fellas for your opinions! i'm considering Z-10 vs Lexol now