BMW Garage BMW Meets Register Search Today's Posts Mark Forums Read
M2 Technical Topics > Cosmetic Maintenance (Wash/Wax/Detailing/Exterior Restoration & Repairs) > Cleaning Steering Wheel?

Post Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread
      11-28-2018, 01:03 PM   #1
GregoryK
Captain
GregoryK's Avatar
Canada
503
Rep
780
Posts

Drives: M2 '18
Join Date: Aug 2014
Location: Canada

iTrader: (0)

Cleaning Steering Wheel?

Any advice here? My steering wheel is no longer the nice matt finish it started with. Any advice on how to clean. If you use leather cleaner don't you have to add some lubrication back and don't those make the wheel shiny?
__________________


"I would rather cry in a BMW than smile on a bicycle." Ma Nuo
Appreciate 0
      11-28-2018, 01:57 PM   #2
nioh_lbbm2
Lieutenant Colonel
nioh_lbbm2's Avatar
1717
Rep
1,899
Posts

Drives: M2
Join Date: Mar 2018
Location: California

iTrader: (0)

How many miles is your car? I'm at around 7k and only use water and microfiber. Still matte for me
Appreciate 0
      11-28-2018, 03:56 PM   #3
zkeeper
Captain
zkeeper's Avatar
United_States
206
Rep
602
Posts

Drives: 2017 M2 & 08 Z4 si
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: BimmerHaven

iTrader: (0)

Mine is a 17 with 5K on clock.

I spray a light mist of Griot's Interior cleaner on MF towel, lightly wipe and clean. Then lightly mist another clean MF with some of, yup, Griot's Leather care and wipe. It does not make the wheel glossy, and its been just fine. Use all the products sparingly has been my method. Same with seats and all leather areas.
Appreciate 0
      11-28-2018, 04:36 PM   #4
GregoryK
Captain
GregoryK's Avatar
Canada
503
Rep
780
Posts

Drives: M2 '18
Join Date: Aug 2014
Location: Canada

iTrader: (0)

Thanks for the advice. Guess those track days and sweating hands have added "extra" oils!
__________________


"I would rather cry in a BMW than smile on a bicycle." Ma Nuo
Appreciate 0
      11-28-2018, 06:00 PM   #5
Spartan King
MOLON LABE
Spartan King's Avatar
80
Rep
109
Posts

Drives: BMW M2 LCI
Join Date: Feb 2018
Location: Florida

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by GregoryK View Post
Any advice here? My steering wheel is no longer the nice matt finish it started with. Any advice on how to clean. If you use leather cleaner don't you have to add some lubrication back and don't those make the wheel shiny?
I have used Carpro Inside with good results for cleaning steering wheels in multiple cars.
https://www.carpro-us.com/interior-f...r-concentrate/

I also treated the wheel with Carpro Leather to keep it looking new and for ease of cleaning moving forward. FYI, this stuff does not change the look of the leather. It will retain the matte finish the car comes with from the factory.
https://www.carpro-us.com/carpro-pro...er-vinyl-30ml/
Appreciate 2
nioh_lbbm21716.50
pz6193274.00
      11-29-2018, 07:24 AM   #6
GregoryK
Captain
GregoryK's Avatar
Canada
503
Rep
780
Posts

Drives: M2 '18
Join Date: Aug 2014
Location: Canada

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by Spartan King View Post
I have used Carpro Inside with good results for cleaning steering wheels in multiple cars.
https://www.carpro-us.com/interior-f...r-concentrate/

I also treated the wheel with Carpro Leather to keep it looking new and for ease of cleaning moving forward. FYI, this stuff does not change the look of the leather. It will retain the matte finish the car comes with from the factory.
https://www.carpro-us.com/carpro-pro...er-vinyl-30ml/
Buying today!
__________________


"I would rather cry in a BMW than smile on a bicycle." Ma Nuo
Appreciate 0
      11-29-2018, 01:26 PM   #7
M Fifty
Banned
844
Rep
1,962
Posts

Drives: M2 & 330CI
Join Date: May 2018
Location: The Interweb

iTrader: (0)

Baby Wipes.
Appreciate 0
      12-02-2018, 03:39 AM   #8
Spare°
Private First Class
Spare°'s Avatar
Belgium
258
Rep
162
Posts

Drives: M2C
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: Belgium

iTrader: (0)

I use an interior detailing brush with gentle leather cleaner. On my F30, I found that the leather actually "came off" when using too much friction with a microfiber towel.

I also put on a leather coating (Q² Leather Coat) to act as an additional protecting layer.
Appreciate 0
      12-02-2018, 02:32 PM   #9
Anthony1s
Banned
756
Rep
2,149
Posts

Drives: 2018 Mineral Grey M2
Join Date: Oct 2017
Location: Pennsylvania

iTrader: (0)

I know I'm gonna get sh** for this, but I have great success with the Armorall Matte Finish wipes for leather steering wheels. They're convenient and available at every auto store and doesn't leave the wheel tacky/slimy like other leather cleaners do.

For the seats though I use Chemical Guys leather cleaner/conditioner because the tackiness it adds keeps me from sliding around.
Appreciate 1
M235guy75.50
      12-12-2018, 01:43 PM   #10
pz619
Brigadier General
3274
Rep
3,254
Posts

Drives: F87 M2C 6MT, Tesla 3
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: San Diego

iTrader: (1)

Quote:
Originally Posted by Spartan King View Post
I have used Carpro Inside with good results for cleaning steering wheels in multiple cars.
https://www.carpro-us.com/interior-f...r-concentrate/

I also treated the wheel with Carpro Leather to keep it looking new and for ease of cleaning moving forward. FYI, this stuff does not change the look of the leather. It will retain the matte finish the car comes with from the factory.
https://www.carpro-us.com/carpro-pro...er-vinyl-30ml/
Good call. Just ordered a bottle. The steering wheel in my M235i somehow got shiny and ended up bleeding out it’s dye. Don’t want the same to happen to the M2.
Appreciate 0
      12-14-2018, 02:14 AM   #11
Henry1518
Private First Class
United_States
94
Rep
109
Posts

Drives: 981 Spyder, M2C
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: SoCal

iTrader: (0)

I use Leather Masters Strong Cleaner and follow up with Leather Masters Protection Cream. It always leaves a nice matte finish. I’ve also had good luck with Wolfgang Leather Care Cleaner and Conditioner.
Appreciate 0
      03-20-2019, 03:40 PM   #12
XRAVE
Member
XRAVE's Avatar
457
Rep
1,517
Posts

Drives: 135i
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: Miami, Florida

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by Spare° View Post
I use an interior detailing brush with gentle leather cleaner. On my F30, I found that the leather actually "came off" when using too much friction with a microfiber towel.

I also put on a leather coating (Q² Leather Coat) to act as an additional protecting layer.
I had the same happen, aggressive cleaners with a lot of friction from microfiber will start to remove parts of the steering wheel. It will look terrible. Has happened to me in the past.

I first use Sonax leather foam on the seats, if they need it. I do one pass to get it in and then use another towel to dry. After I'm done with the seats I take the somewhat wet towel and lightly wipe down down the steering wheel. Perfect matte finish every time.

Rubbing with a microfiber, especially in opposing directions with 2 hands will destroy it.
__________________
Previous: 2013 135i Space Grey w/Coral Red | 6 Speed MT | M Pkg | JB4 | AA Downpipes | AA Exhaust |
Previous: 2015 M3, BSM[/SO/CF | DCT | Adaptive M | 19" Black | CF Roof |
Previous: 2018 M2, AW | DCT | Exec Pkg
Current 2020 X7 50i
Appreciate 0
      03-21-2019, 02:52 PM   #13
RocketBoots
Colonel
RocketBoots's Avatar
United_States
1859
Rep
2,104
Posts

Drives: Horse Drawn Carriage
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: Bay Area

iTrader: (3)

I stopped eating Big Macs and Chili-cheese fries while driving. Now, it's just chicken McNuggets with BBQ sauce

In all seriousness, I've been using this regimen lately and it's worked decently:

Quote:
Originally Posted by Henry1518 View Post
I use Leather Masters Strong Cleaner and follow up with Leather Masters Protection Cream. It always leaves a nice matte finish.
I added a coat of Leather Vital when I first got the car. In the past, I've had good results with CarPro products, as well as Leatherique (although this for older leather).

Last edited by RocketBoots; 03-21-2019 at 02:59 PM..
Appreciate 0
      03-27-2019, 06:46 AM   #14
LuvMyE92
Occasionally frequent poster
LuvMyE92's Avatar
2994
Rep
2,742
Posts

Drives: CT5V-Blackwing
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: RTP NC, USA

iTrader: (0)

I agree with the above posts to not use anything too aggressive, as you will remove the color. I think a lot of the character of the leather getting smooth just happens with age and use, so there's not a lot of avoiding that. Natch keeping your hands clean and frequent cleaning will help.

I have used Griots interior cleaner for a long time, but it did remove some color from the wheel on my 7, so I don't use it on leather any more. I recently bought some cleaner (it was on clearance/sale, so why not?) made by Connolly, the fine UK leather folks, and it seems to do quite well.
__________________
Current inventory:
F22 & G05
Cadillac CT5-V Blackwing w/3 pedals
Past: E24,E28(3),E34,E36,E37,E38(2),E39(4),E46,E89,E92 (obviously),F01,F06,F10,F30,F87,G12,G30(2),G82(2)
Appreciate 0
Post Reply

Bookmarks

Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 12:24 PM.




m2
Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.11
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions Inc.
1Addicts.com, BIMMERPOST.com, E90Post.com, F30Post.com, M3Post.com, ZPost.com, 5Post.com, 6Post.com, 7Post.com, XBimmers.com logo and trademark are properties of BIMMERPOST