[web99992002]

Hi, I changed my standard wheel to the M3 steering wheel. I think it's wrapped in Nappa Leather.. any suggestions on how to take care of this steering wheel to prevent it to be shiny? Any precautions I need to know when cleaning it? I'm working in a country now where Meguiar's, Mother's and Turtle Wax are the dominant brands and Lexol isn't available here

Thanks

[docjay]

some things i've learned thru the years of taking care of my cars-
1.if you have sweaty hands you can use driving gloves.
2.my wife has a "chauffeur" or "driver" as we call them here. All the steering wheels of the car he drives end up so shinny in a years time and i hate it! So i try my best to avoid what he does.First try not to hold the steering wheel like your doing a qualifying lap in F1 all the time(thats what he does-i think he is scared of my wife),hold it gingerly with the base of your hand having the most contact. During leisurely drives i hold the Steering wheel at the bottom-since when the top gets shiny it the one thats really noticed.
3.I've tried all waxes and detergents,cleaners etc. but nothing comes close to "saddle soap" for leather.Its in a can similar to shoe shine paste.It is similar in appearance and consistency but it is color white_i just don't know if you have it in your country.it smells really good-like a new car smell and it doesn't make leather shiny at all-i got to know about this thru my wife-she uses it to clean her leather bags(purses)-you know how they are when it comes to their bags.All you need is a clean tooth brush and damp cloth and you can fire away without fear of discoloration or "mapping".

[web99992002]

Originally Posted by docjay

some things i've learned thru the years of taking care of my cars-
1.if you have sweaty hands you can use driving gloves.
2.my wife has a "chauffeur" or "driver" as we call them here. All the steering wheels of the car he drives end up so shinny in a years time and i hate it! So i try my best to avoid what he does.First try not to hold the steering wheel like your doing a qualifying lap in F1 all the time(thats what he does-i think he is scared of my wife),hold it gingerly with the base of your hand having the most contact. During leisurely drives i hold the Steering wheel at the bottom-since when the top gets shiny it the one thats really noticed.
3.I've tried all waxes and detergents,cleaners etc. but nothing comes close to "saddle soap" for leather.Its in a can similar to shoe shine paste.It is similar in appearance and consistency but it is color white_i just don't know if you have it in your country.it smells really good-like a new car smell and it doesn't make leather shiny at all-i got to know about this thru my wife-she uses it to clean her leather bags(purses)-you know how they are when it comes to their bags.All you need is a clean tooth brush and damp cloth and you can fire away without fear of discoloration or "mapping".

Thanks docjay. I'm actually here in the Philippines, working for US embassy and I imported my 328i here. hehe. You're from Manila? Kamusta? Where can I buy that "saddle soap" you are referring to?

Thanks / Salamat <--- is this correct?

[docjay]

LOL yup"salamat" is correct!Yes i am from Manila.I am a doctor here-Ophthalmologist-retina specialist.i got it at "heel sew quick" basement/ground floor building A Mega mall.Its about a 40 minute drive from the embassy. Please be careful when driving here in Manila.Its like driving in New York.

[web99992002]

Its worse here (no offense) especially the buses worst drivers I've seen.. next are the jeepneys.. and the list goes on..

[docjay]

LOL i was about to mention that!!! They freak me out too(buses-jeepneys)!!! just be on the defensive at all times...

[web99992002]

yea.. and the weather is terrible right now.. sunshine in the morning.. light rain early afternoon then sunshine then rain again around dinner time.. food's great here!! thanks for your help Doc.

[docjay]

your welcome!yup i agree its terrible! i hope it gets better these coming days. im glad a least you like the food.

[TOGWT]

Saddle soap is formulated to clean equestrian ... you guessed it saddles, not auto leather

Leather covered steering wheel:

Steering wheels have an extra coating of protective finish on the already finished or coated leather. Perspiration and dirt are absorbed readily into the dry leather, and combined with the ultra violet (UV-B) radiation of the sun a chemical reaction occurs that degrades the finished leather. All of us have seen this wear on steering wheels

Using leather oil-based conditioners on finished leather may cause delamination from the leather substrate. As the oils will permeate the leather via the stitching or any micro-cracks in the surface, once oil gets between the urethane and the substrate it causes loss of adhesion (See also Oil and Oil based Products)

Most manufacturer’s advice against using oil-based conditioners on steering wheels as it makes the surface slippery and could be dangerous if you lose control of the vehicles steering

1. Clean the wheel’s leather surface with a leather cleaner (Leather Masters™ Strong Effect Cleaner ) or a Limonen (citrus) based de-greaser (P21S Total Auto Wash) diluted 5:1 with warm distilled water in a spray bottle; dependant upon type and extent of soil or stain

2. For oil or grease stains use Leather Masters™ Leather Degreaser (check for colour fastness) this aerosol product is ideal for cleaning this type of stain as it dissolves the oils and transforms them into a powder that is more absorbent than the leather.
This powder is what is wiped off, cleaning and degreasing the leather. Allow the white powder to dry fully. If the powder is drying to a yellow colour, it means that there are still a lot of oils in the leather.

Using a Medium / hard horse hair brush, or a soft sponge, spray and work the cleaner into a foam, lightly scrub surface and immediately wipe with a terry towel to remove excess moisture, especially around stitching (you may need to repeat this process).

3. Then use a compressed air nozzle to dry

4. Once wheel is thoroughly dry apply Leather Masters™ Leather Protection

Do not use an abrasive on the surface as you’ll remove the ultra violet protective topcoat (UV-B)

[TOGWT]

Leather Stitching

Try to avoid getting leather chemicals on the stitching or in the seams as it can discolour some threads. If the chemical gets in between panels, it may be difficult to get it out. This may even weaken the backing at the seams.

Leather stitching is usually cotton and nylon mix, nylon is attacked by solvents, they melt it and weaken the threads. An oil-based product will attract abrasive dirt / grit and permeated the leather via the stitching, the oil will soften the leather, and the abrasive dirt plus friction may cause the leather to tear and / or the stitching to fail. Do not use harsh solvent-based cleaners as this may cause the stitching to fail over time

Stitching is somewhat friable if subjected to excessive abrasion. Bearing this in mind the cleaner and applicator ( a semi-soft toothbrush is ideal) needs to ‘do the work’ without relying on excess friction

a) Clean stitching using a medium / hard horse hair brush, a toothbrush or a sponge, spray and work the aqueous (water- based) cleaner into a foam or use; don't spray on the wheel, spray on the brush, constantly rinse the brush in clean water, remove cleaner by rinsing with clean water.

b) Use an aqueous (water- based) foaming cleaner; Leather Masters™ Foam Cleaner, shake aerosol thoroughly and then lightly rub surface and immediately wipe with a terry towel to remove excess moisture. You may need to repeat this process.

Once the stitching and the seating surfaces are clean apply Leather Masters™ Leather Protection this will help to keep the stitching clean and inhibit the ingress of dirt and soil

[CJ421]

Interesting info ... what about using something like this?
http://www.detailedimage.com/Optimum...P281/17-oz-S1/