Hatchet

Recently, the air bag cover (inset) on my steering wheel (03Z) has become tacky, very sticky. So much so, when I put my fingers on it, even slightly, it literally leaves the fingerprint impression. I'm not habitual about detailing the car but I do periodically. I usually use Meguiar's Gold Class leather wipes on the seats and steering wheel but I know the cover is not leather but vinyl rather. I'm not going to say I didn't recently wipe the cover with one of the leather wipes but I may have also done so in years past and never experienced this annoyance.

But, however it came to be, I've got to try and get rid of it. Does anyone have any suggestions? I thought about wiping it with rubbing alcohol or witch hazel but obviously wanted opinions before going forward.

In the meantime, if someone ever steals the car, they better wear some gloves or else I'll have their prints !

jrose7004

I'd try Simple Green and if that didn't work I'd try alcohol.

Vetteman Jack

I don't think you would have any problems sparingly using some rubbing alcohol to see if it gets rid of the sticky feel. Hopefully that will do the job for you.

oakvillec5

blacksedan87

I would take some mild dishwashing soap like Ivory and some warm water and try washing the cover. Then rinse with clear cool water. If that doesn't do the trick, the Mr Clean Eraser is great for stuff like this.

I would stay away from the Simple Green, it's pretty caustic.

Oldvetter

I like Meguiar's products and I also use their Gold Class leather cleaner/protector.

I use Meguiar's NXT generation TECH PROTECT on my car's vinyl, it works great and doesn't have a high shine. It is similar to Armour All (although I never trusted Armour All on my cars).

mrm1149

I'd try denatured alcohol............lightly rub.

ztheusa

Hatchet

Thanks guys, I'm going to try the rubbing alcohol and then go from there. It's really becoming a PITA, like flypaper .

*Update* - So far the rubbing alcohol, soap and warm water and simple green haven't done the trick. They may have all combined to make it worse. I can't put it into words but it's almost like the top "slick" layer of the vinyl is gone (I know that doesn't make sense). It still looks the same, maybe a little on the dull side color wise, but your hand doesn't glide across the vinyl, it sticks. Annoying as hell man! Gonna try some pledge once I get some.

RedSoxFan

Some time ago on this forum there was a thread from someone who had a similar problem but with their dash. I forget the details but whatever was used caused a chemical reaction of some sort and removed a "film" from the finish of the dash. It sounds like you might have the same thing happening to your wheel. I hope you can get it cleaned up and back to it's original finish, have you tried applying something like Aerospace 303 to it? I have a couple different types of leather cleaner/conditioner and one of them states not to use on vinyl, whether or not your wipes caused the problem I don't know but it's something I'll be more careful about now that I've read your post. Good luck and keep us posted.

Hatchet

Well, the situation has only gotten worse! Everything I have tried has not worked and now, the stickiness comes off in a black, sticky crud ...a real PITA.

It looks like my only recourse is going to be to replace the cover and that appears to be the air bag module (3) as seen below...



Not sure what else to do but, as usual, I'm open to suggestions .

ljthe2nd

I'm not sure but I don't think the air bag cover is a replaceable part, it's part of the air bag.

Hatchet

My photo skills aren't the best...



On the right, you can see where I tried to get the top "sticky" layer off but it just gets everywhere. I can't describe it still but it's like the material is breaking down and has become a gooey mess.



In the second photo, you can almost see a separate area to the left that's not "sticky" or at least less so than the other areas. I don't know what's going on here but it's pissin' me off !

The last thing I tried was 303 Aerospace...no good !

Hatchet

Yeah, that's what I was thinking and was afraid of. I hate to think that I'll have to replace the module just to get back to normal. I'm sure that's not gonna be a cheap fix .

robert123

IMO, I would be careful with the alcohol. It may strip the finish. I ruined finishes on leather with harsh solvents. Try something mild first. Good luck.

Aerovette

I hate giving advice in case it gets worse, but if it were mine, I would put talc on it and keep on putting it on until it was no longer sticky. Can't say that will do anything, but it is what I would try.

Turbopower87

Looks like using the wrong cleaner plus the FL heat has destroyed it. Maybe you could get some kind of clear film like the stuff used for clear bras and cover the whole area. I would take it to an upholsterer and see if they have any ideas as well. Good luck.

Hatchet

I have found similar topics on the 'net doing a google search for "sticky steering wheel". It does seem to be a somewhat natural breakdown of the material. The car is garaged but the heat could be a factor. Before this happened, I was pretty routine in my cleaning/detailing of the car and I've owned it for three years. Whatever caused it is definitely in full swing.

I think if I can just get the top "sticky" layer removed there doesn't seem to be any damage below. It appears to be a sticky film on top with the core material still intact underneath.

So far, the Mr. Clean Magic Eraser, Lemon Pledge and Goo Gone Hand Cleaner are on my list to try.

I've already tried hot water/soap, witch hazel, Simple Green and 303 Aerospace with no luck.

C5C6Norm

Test a spot with mineral spirits, not lacquer thinner, that may do the trick.

#1 Moses

Id try johnson & johnson Baby powder let it absorb some of the stickyness, wipe dry. repeat good luck.