Sticky steering wheel
Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: Apr 2017
Posts: 71
Likes: 5
From: Hendersonville NC
Sticky steering wheel
I have a 1971 coupe that I am now starting to restore.
After sitting for years the steering wheel plastic is sticky and rubs off black on everything.
Is there anyone who refurbs them not in leather? I do NOT want a repro.
71TTop
After sitting for years the steering wheel plastic is sticky and rubs off black on everything.
Is there anyone who refurbs them not in leather? I do NOT want a repro.
71TTop
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 31,200
Likes: 4,287
From: Westminster Maryland
Hi 71,
I frequently read about people finding that some of the vinyl interior parts have become sticky over time.
I'm not sure though that I remember anything about the black actually rubbing off.
Might the wheel have been coated with something at some time?
Is the 'grain' in the vinyl actually disappearing as the surface is rubbed?
Regards,
Alan
I frequently read about people finding that some of the vinyl interior parts have become sticky over time.
I'm not sure though that I remember anything about the black actually rubbing off.
Might the wheel have been coated with something at some time?
Is the 'grain' in the vinyl actually disappearing as the surface is rubbed?
Regards,
Alan
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2017
Posts: 3,232
Likes: 1,232
From: PHX AZ
Plasticizer...Steering wheels are vinyl. After time and UV and ozone, the plasticizer starts to weep out of the vinyl.
One thing that make this 10 times worse is using SILICONE based 'protectants'. I'm restoring a super low mile 82 CE....the previous owner (1) Thought he was 'doing the right thing' by storing the car SLATHERED in silicone....what a sticky mess.
1.Oem replacement wheels are available, naturally...not too expensive. Take the old one and make a clock out of it for the man-cave! LOL.
2. Clean the wheel with ACETONE. Do not use paper towels.
3. You may also get away with cleaning the wheel really well (#2) and then clear coating
with Enamel.
4. It's not going to get better on its own!
good luck sir. (at least you're doing better than Consumer reports, who test cars by LETTING GO of the steering wheel??????!!!!!!! ) lol
One thing that make this 10 times worse is using SILICONE based 'protectants'. I'm restoring a super low mile 82 CE....the previous owner (1) Thought he was 'doing the right thing' by storing the car SLATHERED in silicone....what a sticky mess.
1.Oem replacement wheels are available, naturally...not too expensive. Take the old one and make a clock out of it for the man-cave! LOL.
2. Clean the wheel with ACETONE. Do not use paper towels.
3. You may also get away with cleaning the wheel really well (#2) and then clear coating
with Enamel.
4. It's not going to get better on its own!
good luck sir. (at least you're doing better than Consumer reports, who test cars by LETTING GO of the steering wheel??????!!!!!!! ) lol
Last edited by L-46man; Apr 19, 2017 at 04:31 PM.
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 1,912
Likes: 12
From: Schaumburg (Chicago) Illinois
I had the same problem Cleaned it a couple times to no avail. Thought something weird was wrong with it. Then one day decided to try hard to clean and scrub it and then it was fine. Just used dish detergent and scrubbed it.
3rd Gear
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
From: Melbourne Florida
Sticky Air Bag Cover
I recently bought a '03 Commemorative edition convertible with 54000 miles. I though the previous owner stilled soda on the steering wheel. When I tried to clean it, it just got worse. I went to the CF website and have tried some of the remedies with little success. The wheel is not black (its tan) and I have some black showing through. Is the factory aware of the problem, and will they offer any assistance? Any advise will be greatly appreciated.
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...ies/frown5.gif
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...ies/frown5.gif
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2017
Posts: 3,232
Likes: 1,232
From: PHX AZ
further info
Plasticizer...Steering wheels are vinyl. After time and UV and ozone, the plasticizer starts to weep out of the vinyl.
One thing that make this 10 times worse is using SILICONE based 'protectants'. I'm restoring a super low mile 82 CE....the previous owner (1) Thought he was 'doing the right thing' by storing the car SLATHERED in silicone....what a sticky mess.
1.Oem replacement wheels are available, naturally...not too expensive. Take the old one and make a clock out of it for the man-cave! LOL.
2. Clean the wheel with ACETONE. Do not use paper towels.
3. You may also get away with cleaning the wheel really well (#2) and then clear coating
with Enamel.
4. It's not going to get better on its own!
good luck sir. (at least you're doing better than Consumer reports, who test cars by LETTING GO of the steering wheel??????!!!!!!! ) lol
One thing that make this 10 times worse is using SILICONE based 'protectants'. I'm restoring a super low mile 82 CE....the previous owner (1) Thought he was 'doing the right thing' by storing the car SLATHERED in silicone....what a sticky mess.
1.Oem replacement wheels are available, naturally...not too expensive. Take the old one and make a clock out of it for the man-cave! LOL.
2. Clean the wheel with ACETONE. Do not use paper towels.
3. You may also get away with cleaning the wheel really well (#2) and then clear coating
with Enamel.
4. It's not going to get better on its own!
good luck sir. (at least you're doing better than Consumer reports, who test cars by LETTING GO of the steering wheel??????!!!!!!! ) lol
FURTHER INFO...The urethane foam inside the wheel is now weeping out of all the seams...especially on the bottom of the wheel...due to gravity. Ozone,age and the average 107 degree heat in my garage plus the 23 years it spent in a metal storage shed, did it no favors.
I am eternally grateful that my GF's breasts are real.....the thought of decaying urethane foam leaking out the bottom scares the shizzle out of me!
{leaking headlights???lol}Urethane is non-noble and Ozone/ age/ breakdown, eats it like there's no tomorrow.
It turns into a super-sticky brown goo.
Would I PAY someone to put that stuff in my body?...no chance!
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2017
Posts: 3,232
Likes: 1,232
From: PHX AZ
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2017
Posts: 3,232
Likes: 1,232
From: PHX AZ
Corvette content;
My next door neighbor had a hankerin' for a Vette.
Or course, I talked him into a C-3.
We found a screamin' deal on a 76 L-82 Bright yellow 63k loaded. Very nice paint, brand new Al Knock interior and $2500 worth of suspension goodies to boot.
$7000
Next day his wife says out loud in the driveway when he's washing the car..." Okay you got your Vette, what about the *** -job you promised me! (DD's)
Cost....$7500
On one of them, the headlights actually pop up! lol
UnkaHal
My next door neighbor had a hankerin' for a Vette.
Or course, I talked him into a C-3.
We found a screamin' deal on a 76 L-82 Bright yellow 63k loaded. Very nice paint, brand new Al Knock interior and $2500 worth of suspension goodies to boot.
$7000
Next day his wife says out loud in the driveway when he's washing the car..." Okay you got your Vette, what about the *** -job you promised me! (DD's)
Cost....$7500
On one of them, the headlights actually pop up! lol
UnkaHal
Last edited by L-46man; Aug 21, 2017 at 06:28 PM.