Leather Steering Wheel Maintenance

**ScoobyDrew06** · 10-16-2005, 07:03 AM

Do I need to use a leather conditioner on my steering wheel? or would the oils from my hands keep the leather conditioned. may be a dumb question, maybe not.

**White95Max** · 10-16-2005, 08:24 AM

I would use a leather conditioner on it, but don`t use a product that makes the surface real slippery.

**Intercooled** · 10-16-2005, 08:42 AM

Its the oils in your hands that eventually dry the leather the out. Making it hard and smooth looking. Deffinetly use a cleaner and conditioner

**boxcartommie22** · 10-16-2005, 02:38 PM

i use 303 aerospace protectant

**boehljed** · 10-16-2005, 06:41 PM

I found that when I use Meguiar`s leather cleaner and conditioner on my steering wheel it ends up too slippery. I tried Megs Quick Interior Detailer and it seems to do a good job of cleaning and leaves a nice matte finish with no slippery feeling.

**Glossmaster** · 10-16-2005, 06:53 PM

Chemical Guy`s makes some top notch leather products.

**ScoobyDrew06** · 10-16-2005, 08:37 PM

well i`m not going to get top notch products since my wheel, shift boot, and e-brake boot, are the only leather pieces in my car. but i guess i will pick up some type of leather conditioner/protectant. thanks for the replies.

**SVR** · 10-17-2005, 02:51 AM

Body oil emulsion is real nasty to all interior surfaces

**Tiggercat** · 10-17-2005, 05:24 AM

I actually just cleaned and conditioned mine with Lexol - cheap, easy, and very nice result. The steering wheel, shift lever, and parking brake lever had been looking a little rough, and now they look and feel new.

**TGates** · 10-17-2005, 07:34 AM

DEFINITELY keep the leather on the steering wheel, shift knob, parking brake, and any leather on the doors cleaned and conditioned frequently. I condition mine once every couple of weeks... three at the most. I`ve seen leather on steering wheels "flake" off due to lack of cleaning/conditioning.

**imported_Luster** · 10-17-2005, 07:41 AM

^^^ What he said!

I`ve been asked how my leather steering wheel looks so good, when my car is 5 years old, and my friends car is only 2 years old and his steering wheel is flaking and filthy.

I said, "How often do you clean and condition it?"

He said, "What do you mean?"

I rest my case.

**Asonyexec** · 10-17-2005, 10:30 AM

Although my leather is black, my previous car`s leather was beige and I remember what kind of filth that steering wheel held onto. Once every 2 months I`ll mix up some woolite & water, spray it on a terry towel and wipe down the steering wheel. I then give it a good soaking with lexol, let it dry then buff away any residual lexol. leaves the wheel smooth, clean non-oily, non-sticky.

**ramp** · 10-17-2005, 12:10 PM

Hate to admit it, but have never cleaned my leather. Got something sticky on the steering wheel a couple of years ago and wiped it off w/ a damp cloth, but that is it. Have had the car for nearly six years, so maybe I had better get w/ it and clean my leather. It looks so good though I`m almost afraid to mess w/ it. It is a good quality leather. Is it possible it doesn`t need pro cleaning or should I do it before it falls apart? I`ll take a couple pics but don`t know if they will really tell you anything...

**White95Max** · 10-17-2005, 12:14 PM

Your leather, and anyone else`s leather, needs to be cleaned and conditioned regularly to stay in great condition. Clean that sticky stuff off of the steering wheel and apply some conditioner. You`ll regret it bigtime if your steering wheel starts to flake/peel, or your seats start to crack.