Sticky steering wheel

[mcjim]

Any tips on cleaning the 3 spoke sport wheel used on 69-75 models? I have a nice one but it is really gooey and dirty even afer some mild soap and scrubbing.Thanks:confused :confused

 

[Jack]

Welcome aboard CACC! If the sw is metal spokes w/ PLASTIC rim (NO wood) ... Try a terry rag dampened w/ vinegar or lemon juice. Follow up with plain soap & water.

After pizza, ribs etc ... I often grab a lemon slice from the salad bar ... squeeze it in my hands and rub ... cleans finger food-oils away nicely ... other patrons may raise an eyebrow ... but my hands are squeaky clean.
JACK:gap

 

[Vette/Berlina-coupe]

-ickie-stickie fingers...

HELLO FRIEND: -if the water-based cleaning solutions (including good ol'DutchCleanser) still don't seem to remove some of the grime, then simply use liberal amounts of Naphtha (ie: Ronson Lighter-fluid, -do not breath vapors) on an old T-shirt, --as it may be more of a petrol-chemical related grime; -which should clean-off using relatively mild Naphtha-solvent that does not remove old-finishes nor harm plastics as powerful Lacquer-thinner does (Note: -those in the know have used Napthta for years on classic-car finishes/plastics etc., -so never fear)... -Bob vH
:TALK :dance

 

[Yoda]

mcjim ~ Welcome to the Corvette Action Center Community ~

mcjim,

I moved this down into our Care and Detailing forums, just might get a few more response's here.

My answer for almost anything is Spray Brake Cleaner just be very careful around plastics,, always try a little area first. I have had it actually MELT plastic stuff

BudD

 

[DetailingDude]

Welcome aboard CACC! If the sw is metal spokes w/ PLASTIC rim (NO wood) ... Try a terry rag dampened w/ vinegar or lemon juice. Follow up with plain soap & water.

After pizza, ribs etc ... I often grab a lemon slice from the salad bar ... squeeze it in my hands and rub ... cleans finger food-oils away nicely ... other patrons may raise an eyebrow ... but my hands are squeaky clean.
JACK:gap

Jeepers!! I am sure it did clean your hands. Lemons have a pH of 2. Battery acid is pH 1. That is why they don't recommend that you suck on lemons. That is also why lemon is often used for household cleaning and Lemonaid often say "Artificial Lemon Flavor".

 

[DetailingDude]

Any tips on cleaning the 3 spoke sport wheel used on 69-75 models? I have a nice one but it is really gooey and dirty even afer some mild soap and scrubbing.Thanks:confused :confused

Is the steering wheel plastic or leather?
For Plastic:
What you have to do is first of all neutralize the oils so you can get to whatever the residue is that is suspending the oils. If you put a drop of your car wash solution onto a towel get the towel wet with slightly warm water (pretty much as hot as comes out of the kitchen sink should do)

For Leather:
Pretty much the same thing just not as hot of water.

You don't have to rub hard, just rub frequently.

 

[mcjim]

thanks!

Thanks for all the tips.This is the first forum I have joined and it looks like I picked a good one.

 

[Jack]

If the man's steering wheel has a plastic rim, I suggest lemon juice or vinegar because they both cut oil nicely ... but do not contain petroleum distillates (as brake cleaner does) that often damages plastics. I'm not much of a chemist these days (though I did squeak through quant & instrumental analyses eons ago) ... but I suggest pH of brake cleaner or avgas (both great solvents) is probably a lot closer to neutral pH 7 than is lemon juice. Heck, I know those two will burn skin a whole lot quicker than a lemon slice. Hence, I suggest pH is not sole corrosive determinant. Recall an old chemistry addage ... "likes dissolve likes" ... it's only a guide, not an absolute. I believe most C3 plastics are petroleum-derived, so I'd steer my plastic wheel clear of petro-solvents. BTW, lemon juice cuts the schmutz off my plastic interior parts just fine ... and it doesn't even cause the hands to blush.
JACK:gap