sticky steering wheel
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 278
Likes: 5
From: illinois
sticky steering wheel
Been meaning to ask this for a few years. On hot days my steering wheel on my 71 becomes tacky/sticky. What is the best way to aliviate. Does anyone have a remedied, thats been tried and worked..
Thanks
Mike
Thanks
Mike
Race Director
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 18,744
Likes: 2,585
this is a common problem, the search function on this site will give you more threads but this is one of them. Google will also give you hits
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...eel-cover.html
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...eel-cover.html
1969/1971/2021 Coupes
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 2,212
Likes: 80
From: Port Huron MI
St. Jude Donor '09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15
Recovering is the best route I would think. I have two wheels in the same condition. It's from the chemical solvents used in the manufacturing process seeping from the rubber on the wheel. That's what I read on here in one of the conversations anyway.
Terry
Terry
Safety Car
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 4,652
Likes: 80
From: Lakeland Florida
I have the same thing happen on my 72. I thought it was from the interior detail products I was using. I like the suggestion of using some type of mild soap like Dawn to see if it will degrease it.
kdf
kdf
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 13,082
Likes: 3,399
From: SW Florida.
I doubt it will clean off. Once the plastic starts to degrade, it's the plastic itself, not something on it. I fix copiers and see old feed tires do that after a certain amount of time. A cover or new wheel is only option.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 2,632
Likes: 112
From: Great Plains Iowa
That's odd because my '71 steering wheel never feels tacky even when the interior temperature hits 140 degrees. I have never used any product like Armor All on it but rather just use soap and water to wash it off.
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Drifting
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From: Sherman CT
2023 C3 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
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St. Jude Donor '24-'25-'26
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 3,389
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From: Norfolk Virginia
I start the reassembly.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 278
Likes: 5
From: illinois
Mike
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 3,189
Likes: 111
From: Tolland CT
My steering wheel went through a period where it was sticky as decribed here. I don't recall for certain what I did, probably used dish washing soap. It hasn't been stick for the last few years... They can be saved.
Race Director
Joined: May 2007
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From: Out of Site...Out of Mind. Corvette: anything else is just transportation.
St. Jude Donor '09 thru '20
I agree with the other posts. A mild cleaning agent; Dawn, Simple Green, 409. A wrap, after cleaning would help. The C3 steering wheel is thin and a wrap would be helpful for comfort.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 3,363
Likes: 32
From: Bowtie, Pennsyltucky
St. Jude Donor '13-'14-'15,'21
I used swimming pool liner cleaner about ten years ago, the sticky stuff came right off, never to return. My whole interior was like that, too. Used the cleaner then Dawn dish soap.
Racer
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 379
Likes: 54
Years ago, I switched to a smaller diameter, fatter leather wheel. Spokes look like stock and it used the stock horn button. Been happy every since.
Cleaning may be ok in the north but if you have 90F for 7 months like here in FL and park outside a lot, I'll bet the sticky oozes out again.
Cleaning may be ok in the north but if you have 90F for 7 months like here in FL and park outside a lot, I'll bet the sticky oozes out again.
Drifting
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 1,806
Likes: 258
From: Dublin Ohio
sticky steering wheel
I searched this topic a few years ago and what I saw mentioned was denatured alcohol, which should be in your paint thinner aisle. I've probably wiped the wheel twice in the last year. It kind of leaves a white streak which I then use soap and water to rinse off.
Safety Car
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 3,729
Likes: 267
From: Austin Texas
Corvette of the Year Winner 2017
2016 C3 of Year Finalist
in very Hot weather the sticky, comes back from an old C3 wheel.
I had several inquires so here is how I do a Leather wrap for a C3.
stardard leather cover from Ebay,
then wrap around wheel to check for correct width, and mark it. C3 wheels are skinny.
my leather was about 1" too wide, I cut the excess strip off all the way around 1 piece.
do this real clean and you can reuse the strip to make the wheel slightly wider/thicker in Dia.,
reuse the cut off strip to mark/make new holes in the leather edge you just cut.
if you what a fatter wheel install that cutoff skinny strip around wheel rim,
then add the leather cover over the top, to slightly fatten the wheel diameter.
use the neede that comes with the kit, punch all holes first, then install and sew on. good luck.
I used 2 needles to stitch and pull tight as I sew on.
I had several inquires so here is how I do a Leather wrap for a C3.
stardard leather cover from Ebay,
then wrap around wheel to check for correct width, and mark it. C3 wheels are skinny.
my leather was about 1" too wide, I cut the excess strip off all the way around 1 piece.
do this real clean and you can reuse the strip to make the wheel slightly wider/thicker in Dia.,
reuse the cut off strip to mark/make new holes in the leather edge you just cut.
if you what a fatter wheel install that cutoff skinny strip around wheel rim,
then add the leather cover over the top, to slightly fatten the wheel diameter.
use the neede that comes with the kit, punch all holes first, then install and sew on. good luck.
I used 2 needles to stitch and pull tight as I sew on.
Last edited by 69Vett; Sep 8, 2015 at 02:30 PM.
