Sticky 76 Steering Wheel
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 13,858
Likes: 0
From: A 12/8 man in a 4/4 world
I have that problem with my 79. It is nontilt/tele and has the vega wheel.
I think some ppl have redyed it.
Ive been tossing a few ideas around in my head but it is the least of my problem.
I cant do the leather wheel cover for temporary use because of the oyster colored interior.
I think some ppl have redyed it.
Ive been tossing a few ideas around in my head but it is the least of my problem.
I cant do the leather wheel cover for temporary use because of the oyster colored interior.
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 1,944
Likes: 22
From: Yooperville MI
A friends Camaro had the same problem and we tried all kinds of products on a spare wheel. It seemed that cleaners only gave short term relief, but applying more goop removed the stickyness best. Cleaning the wheel with a strong water based cleaner, followed by a cleaning with Prep-Sol and then cleaning it with WD-40 worked the best believe it or not. Acetone alone worked pretty good also to remove the sticky, better than lacquer thinner or Prep-Sol alone, but don't over wipe, as acetone will soften the vinyl.
Another method I read on a Camaro forum was soaking the wheel in Dawn dish soap in a large drain pan for a couple days, dry it off and clean with Prep-Sol. Then soak it in a vinyl protectant for a couple days, remove it from the protectant and wrap it in saran wrap while still wet and let it sit a couple days. Dry it off and it's supposed to be like new. Haven't tried this one yet.
Or just keep the car out of the sun and humidity
Another method I read on a Camaro forum was soaking the wheel in Dawn dish soap in a large drain pan for a couple days, dry it off and clean with Prep-Sol. Then soak it in a vinyl protectant for a couple days, remove it from the protectant and wrap it in saran wrap while still wet and let it sit a couple days. Dry it off and it's supposed to be like new. Haven't tried this one yet.
Or just keep the car out of the sun and humidity
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 10,560
Likes: 439
From: Wellington, FL
St. Jude Donor '11 thru '25
My '76 (Vega wheel) does the same thing, as did my '69 Grand Prix...must be the vinyl material. I find it only does this after the car sits for an extended period, maybe like several weeks. It seems to go away by itself quickly after I drive the car for a short period. I've always thought it was the humidity her in Florida and that after the air conditioning is on for a while, the problem clears up.
Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 55
Likes: 0
Thanks for the input guys. I did have the car stored in Texas for a few years and the problem was exasterbated with the high heat and humidity. However, the low humidity and cooler temperatures in Colorado allow me to drive the car without feeling like I'm playing football against the Oakland Raider backfield...stick-em.
Grizz
Grizz
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 3,943
Likes: 44
From: Florham Park NJ Port Credit Ontario
My 74 was parked for some 15 years when I resurrected it and the wheel was sticky as well.
I used simple Green (full strength) and a stiff bristle brush. It took a few times but it worked.
I used simple Green (full strength) and a stiff bristle brush. It took a few times but it worked.
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Race Director
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 13,858
Likes: 0
From: A 12/8 man in a 4/4 world
Ive thought about taking the wheel to a interior specialist and having it leather wrapped. a lot of new car wheel are four spoked and are leather wrapped.
havent priced and like a said earlier, not a big priority.
my oyster colored steering wheel has also yellowed with age.
havent priced and like a said earlier, not a big priority.
my oyster colored steering wheel has also yellowed with age.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 7,962
Likes: 3,320
From: Omaha NE
2025 c3 ('74-'82) of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
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This must be the problem. In 31 years of Vega wheel ownership I've never had this happen. But my Vette from day one has spent very little time sitting outside......
Jim Shea's conversion to a leather wheel would be the best fix........
Jim Shea's conversion to a leather wheel would be the best fix........
Team Owner
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 23,831
Likes: 10
From: Springfield MO
St. Jude Donor '07
My interior panels have a similar problem - it seems to mostly have been caused by smoking in the car. So far, on test panels, scrubbing with degreasers and Dawn dish soap, using a stiff kitchen brush seems to eliminate the contaminants.
Instructor
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 152
Likes: 0
Try some ammonia for the cigarette smoke stains. Cuts right through it.