So I Have a Sticky Steering Wheel
02-08-2012, 04:51 PM
#1
So I Have a Sticky Steering Wheel
the horn portion of the wheel has a gooey-sticky surface. I actually first noticed it about a year agolong ago. I thought I had applied a steering wheel cleaner on the horn part of the wheel and forgot to wipe it off. Then I found out from a local tuner I take my car to that its a common C5 issue. My thought was, "You gotta be kidding?" My thinking was to simply replace that center piece where the horn is (and where the airbag goes behind.) Anyone do this? I am also curious on what Chevy has ever said about this
Car is 12 y/o old but as always been garaged since I took delivery and only as 36K miles on it. Of all the cars I have owned, I have never seen an issue where the steering wheel becomes gooey like this one
Car is 12 y/o old but as always been garaged since I took delivery and only as 36K miles on it. Of all the cars I have owned, I have never seen an issue where the steering wheel becomes gooey like this one
02-08-2012, 05:19 PM
#2
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the horn portion of the wheel has a gooey-sticky surface. I actually first noticed it about a year agolong ago. I thought I had applied a steering wheel cleaner on the horn part of the wheel and forgot to wipe it off. Then I found out from a local tuner I take my car to that its a common C5 issue. My thought was, "You gotta be kidding?" My thinking was to simply replace that center piece where the horn is (and where the airbag goes behind.) Anyone do this? I am also curious on what Chevy has ever said about this
Car is 12 y/o old but as always been garaged since I took delivery and only as 36K miles on it. Of all the cars I have owned, I have never seen an issue where the steering wheel becomes gooey like this one
Car is 12 y/o old but as always been garaged since I took delivery and only as 36K miles on it. Of all the cars I have owned, I have never seen an issue where the steering wheel becomes gooey like this one
02-08-2012, 07:27 PM
#5
Melting Slicks
I literally jsut got back from a quick drive and noticed the same thing. Its just the top of the center section. I wonder if wiping it down with some dilluted car wash would harden it up.
02-08-2012, 07:28 PM
#6
One of the Vettes I was concidering had the same sticky problem with the center part of the steering wheel. I thought it was something thay had put on it or had been over heated inside, I passed on the car at any rate.
02-08-2012, 07:33 PM
#7
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just awful...there really is no solution because the material is vinyl..you can dissolve it, but you cannot make it tack free again...plasticizers are migrating to the surface...new horn pad includes the air bag....huge $$$$
02-08-2012, 07:40 PM
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Bet you'd put Armorall on it or something like that at some point.
02-08-2012, 09:39 PM
#10
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Try this cure - it works perfectly
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c5-g...r-melting.html
post #26 and higher
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c5-g...r-melting.html
post #26 and higher
Last edited by andynpz; 02-08-2012 at 09:42 PM. Reason: more info
02-08-2012, 10:27 PM
#11
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Here was a solution posted on the forum late last year:
I would like to share my method for removing the sticky residue that comes with age on air bag covers.
1. Buy Goof Off and microfiber towels. I found Goof Off in the paint section at Lowe’s.
2. Saturate a small section of towel with Goof Off and gently rub into sticky surface of air bag cover. If the horn sounds you are rubbing to hard. Towel will turn black. Keep doing this with a clean section of towel saturated with Goof Off until it no longer picks up any black residue. It should start looking like this next photo. The clean side is on left, sticky stuff still on right side of cover.
3. When all sticky residue is removed it should be a dull dark gray.
4. Wash the cover with a detergent I used Pine Sol.
5. Apply a vinyl protector to bring back the shine and it should look like new.
It takes about 15minutes to do it all from start to finish.
Its amazing how little effort is required.
Have never tried this so no first hand experience on how well it works.
I would like to share my method for removing the sticky residue that comes with age on air bag covers.
1. Buy Goof Off and microfiber towels. I found Goof Off in the paint section at Lowe’s.
2. Saturate a small section of towel with Goof Off and gently rub into sticky surface of air bag cover. If the horn sounds you are rubbing to hard. Towel will turn black. Keep doing this with a clean section of towel saturated with Goof Off until it no longer picks up any black residue. It should start looking like this next photo. The clean side is on left, sticky stuff still on right side of cover.
3. When all sticky residue is removed it should be a dull dark gray.
4. Wash the cover with a detergent I used Pine Sol.
5. Apply a vinyl protector to bring back the shine and it should look like new.
It takes about 15minutes to do it all from start to finish.
Its amazing how little effort is required.
Have never tried this so no first hand experience on how well it works.
02-08-2012, 11:02 PM
#12
Here was a solution posted on the forum late last year:
I would like to share my method for removing the sticky residue that comes with age on air bag covers.
1. Buy Goof Off and microfiber towels. I found Goof Off in the paint section at Lowe’s.
2. Saturate a small section of towel with Goof Off and gently rub into sticky surface of air bag cover. If the horn sounds you are rubbing to hard. Towel will turn black. Keep doing this with a clean section of towel saturated with Goof Off until it no longer picks up any black residue. It should start looking like this next photo. The clean side is on left, sticky stuff still on right side of cover.
3. When all sticky residue is removed it should be a dull dark gray.
4. Wash the cover with a detergent I used Pine Sol.
5. Apply a vinyl protector to bring back the shine and it should look like new.
It takes about 15minutes to do it all from start to finish.
Its amazing how little effort is required.
Have never tried this so no first hand experience on how well it works.
I would like to share my method for removing the sticky residue that comes with age on air bag covers.
1. Buy Goof Off and microfiber towels. I found Goof Off in the paint section at Lowe’s.
2. Saturate a small section of towel with Goof Off and gently rub into sticky surface of air bag cover. If the horn sounds you are rubbing to hard. Towel will turn black. Keep doing this with a clean section of towel saturated with Goof Off until it no longer picks up any black residue. It should start looking like this next photo. The clean side is on left, sticky stuff still on right side of cover.
3. When all sticky residue is removed it should be a dull dark gray.
4. Wash the cover with a detergent I used Pine Sol.
5. Apply a vinyl protector to bring back the shine and it should look like new.
It takes about 15minutes to do it all from start to finish.
Its amazing how little effort is required.
Have never tried this so no first hand experience on how well it works.
I am trying this soon.
02-09-2012, 12:38 PM
#13
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Goof OFF 2
It is important to get GOOF OFF 2 which is water based and will not harm plastics or vinyl. Regular GOOF OFF is not stated to be safe on plastic
02-09-2012, 03:20 PM
#14
Here was a solution posted on the forum late last year:
I would like to share my method for removing the sticky residue that comes with age on air bag covers.
1. Buy Goof Off and microfiber towels. I found Goof Off in the paint section at Lowe’s.
2. Saturate a small section of towel with Goof Off and gently rub into sticky surface of air bag cover. If the horn sounds you are rubbing to hard. Towel will turn black. Keep doing this with a clean section of towel saturated with Goof Off until it no longer picks up any black residue. It should start looking like this next photo. The clean side is on left, sticky stuff still on right side of cover.
3. When all sticky residue is removed it should be a dull dark gray.
4. Wash the cover with a detergent I used Pine Sol.
5. Apply a vinyl protector to bring back the shine and it should look like new.
It takes about 15minutes to do it all from start to finish.
Its amazing how little effort is required.
Have never tried this so no first hand experience on how well it works.
I would like to share my method for removing the sticky residue that comes with age on air bag covers.
1. Buy Goof Off and microfiber towels. I found Goof Off in the paint section at Lowe’s.
2. Saturate a small section of towel with Goof Off and gently rub into sticky surface of air bag cover. If the horn sounds you are rubbing to hard. Towel will turn black. Keep doing this with a clean section of towel saturated with Goof Off until it no longer picks up any black residue. It should start looking like this next photo. The clean side is on left, sticky stuff still on right side of cover.
3. When all sticky residue is removed it should be a dull dark gray.
4. Wash the cover with a detergent I used Pine Sol.
5. Apply a vinyl protector to bring back the shine and it should look like new.
It takes about 15minutes to do it all from start to finish.
Its amazing how little effort is required.
Have never tried this so no first hand experience on how well it works.
wow, hope this works.
I'll try a very small section at the bottom of the horn first to see
02-09-2012, 03:21 PM
#15
02-09-2012, 03:31 PM
#16
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Boy I've heard of it all now. Sticky stuff on steering wheels and goof off to get it off.
I'm waiting for the horn to start beeping like a frog.
02-09-2012, 03:48 PM
#17
Le Mans Master
Sounds like a personal issue that begs a discreet solution. 
02-09-2012, 05:05 PM
#18
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Many poorly engineered protectants, aka the "shiny stuff" actually penetrates the vinyl and plastic components and can break down the material. Common areas on the C5 Corvette are the steering wheel airbag section, passenger air bag flap section and the door armrests.
02-09-2012, 05:20 PM
#19
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I know it sounds pathetic but for those who have sticky airbag syndrome it's a real PITA. Whatever the reason, wrong protectant or bad batch from airbag supplier, the cure as described is a 100% success. Underneath the stickiness is a perfect item, undamaged, unblemished, looks like new and is smooth and silky to touch.
I was amazed at the result......go for it, Mark!
Cheers, Andy
I was amazed at the result......go for it, Mark!
Cheers, Andy