GTI Steering wheel - feels sticky

[minke]

Hi,

I thought I'd throw it in here.

Mk 7.5 Wife's car. We really don't eat in the car (maybe a T/A coffee and that's about it).

The steering wheel always feels sticky. I have (and generally will) wiped it down with a damp microfibre cloth. I've also used Gyeon's leather cleaner but to no avail.

Anyone got any ideas? it sucks to drive with the wheel being so tacky / sticky

[Hillbilly]

Is sweat from your hands Mine goes like that as well. Is yours leather as well??

[minke]

yes. Leather (according to the paperworl)

[amunra]

yes. Leather (according to the paperworl)

soap and water.. wash ur hands more

[genebaby]

Use those magic wipe things that look like foam, they are good to clean steering wheels with.

[flat6]

Avoid using hand sanitizers, that **** makes a sticky mess of a steering wheel..

[gregozedobe]

Could also be from whatever gooey products (eg moisturiser) your Missus puts on her hands just before driving her car. Mine always puts some stuff on her hands before she goes out, regardless of whether she is about to drive or not. It's her car so she can do whatever she likes.

[doc_777]

Modern automotive leathers have a polyurethane coating. I’d recommend cleaning the wheel thoroughly using a water based degreaser like Bowdens Orange Agent (follow the instructions - apply with one applicator pad, wipe off while still wet using a clean cloth).

Any hand creams etc will leave a residue on the now clean wheel and should be pretty easy to identify. For instance, if the wheel is clean but then sticky after a particular person drives it, you’ll have found your culprit.

[Lucas_R]

As someone else already mentioned, the heavy use of hand sanitiser over the past few years is ruining leather steering wheels.

Most people clean their hands quickly and grab the wheel while the sanitiser is still wet and it just ruins the leather. Not helped by the fact that the leather used on the Mk7 steering wheel is of much lower quality than previous generations of Golf’s.

[Suncoaster]

When I bought my current Mk 6 Golf the steering wheel was quite sticky. I cleaned it off with a mild detergent and water and put a tiny amount of R M Williams leather conditioner-any brand would do-on my hands, and worked it into the wheel. A little smear will do it and add more as you go along. Let it penetrate for an hour or so and wipe off thoroughly. It rejuvenates tired and faded surfaces and you may need to do it every 6 months or so. Cheers-John