Steering wheel cleaning

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Steering wheel cleaning

#1 Milko75

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Posted 13 June 2009 - 04:19 AM

Hi all,

I was bored to my leather steering wheel condition. It was too glossy and slippy, almost plastical feeling. So, I decided to clean it.

I heard that there is one very simple and cheap way to do this. It is Marseille (Le Chat) soap – you can buy it almost every supermarket at least in here Finland. Hopefully you can get it in US too.

I took times only 30 minutes and result impressed me! Just Marseille soap, water and clean towel – that�s�it. Now it feel and looks leather again.

Here is couple of pictures before and after cleaning. If you think clean your steering wheel, try this way before you pay expensive cleaning products.

All comments are welcome.

Before:

before.jpg (266.73K)
Number of downloads: 11

before_2.jpg (216.35K)
Number of downloads: 6

before3.jpg (206.57K)
Number of downloads: 6

Marseille soap:

soap.jpg (162.97K)
Number of downloads: 6

The cleaning process:

wheel_clean3.jpg (186.36K)
Number of downloads: 6

wheel_clean.jpg (197.43K)
Number of downloads: 6

A little dirty!:

wheel_clean2.jpg (239.38K)
Number of downloads: 7

And after:

wheel_end.jpg (192.19K)
Number of downloads: 6

wheel_end2.jpg (274.62K)
Number of downloads: 10

2004 • 530Da

Xenon OEM retrofit • M-Tech kit • M-Sport steering wheel • Shadowline trims • Black kidneys • M-style pedals & footrest • Tinted rear glass • 19" M6 wheels • Footwell & Extra boot lid lights retrofit • LED License Plate Lights • Interior LED Lights • LED Angel Eyes • LED Side Markers • Trunk opener retrofit

#2 keith84_uk

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Posted 13 June 2009 - 04:31 AM

Woww...thats impressive!!
Thanks for sharing and dont forget to put some leather sealant on after you clean it. :thumbsup:

Mods coming: rear spacers, roof spoiler
My Ride:
BMW E60 2003 530i M54 Titanium Silver, Black leather Climate Control iDrive M-Sport Kit 19" 172M with Dunlop DZ101 (245/35/19,275/30/19) Sebring 2x76mm ACS Foot pedals, Sprint Booster, K&N Air Filter, M5 steering wheel, SS brake lines, Zimmermann Drilled Discs, EBC Redstuff Ceramic, Ricky's LED License plate lights, RPI Scoop, Front struct brace, LCI Tail Light with Bruce's V5.1, Ricky's M5 Cluster Convertion, LED Side Indicators, Matte Black 530i Badge, Matte Black Grille, Matte Black Diffuser, Black Shadow Line, Koni FSD with Eibach, 2 x Ultra Racing Strut bars, 3M 75% Tint all around

#3 Milko75

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Posted 13 June 2009 - 04:41 AM

keith84_uk, on Jun 13 2009, 12:31 PM, said:

..and dont forget to put some leather sealant on after you clean it. :thumbsup:

That is true � It need sealant after cleaning :thumbsup:

#4 keith84_uk

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Posted 13 June 2009 - 04:47 AM

Milko75, on Jun 13 2009, 09:41 AM, said:

That is true � It need sealant after cleaning :thumbsup:

If think your DIY will help lot of members in here

Nice write up :thumbsup:

#5 sdg1871

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Posted 13 June 2009 - 05:15 AM

Wow that was a lot of dirt that came off.

2009 550i Carbon Black/Natural Brown Dakota Leather, Dark Poplar, Sport Package, Cold Weather Package, Logic7, Navigation, Sirius Satellite Radio, Steptronic, iPod/USB Adapter. Mods: SprintBooster, ACS Style Rear Spoiler, 6000K HID fog lights, 6000K HID D1S headlights, 8500K GP Thunder AE bulbs, full interior LED lights; RD LED license plate lamps, LED reverse lights, Stealth signal lights, E60.net Clings, BMW Valve Stem Covers, BMW Rubber All Weather Mats (black). Mods to come: ECU reflash. Winter Wheels and Tires: Style 123s with Dunlop WinterSport M3s
Previous BMW: 2003 540i Sport

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#6 Krozi

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Posted 13 June 2009 - 05:52 AM

I'll give that a try. My steering wheel looks like your before pics.

Thanks!

2008 E92 ///M3 Alpine White/Fox Red/Brushed Aluminum Trim - 6 Spd//Carbon Fiber Roof//Technology Package//Premium Package//Cold Weather Package//Enhanced Premium Sound//iPod and USB adapter//Rear Sun Shade//
Mods://RPi Axle Back Exhaust//Red RPi Scoops//VMR 19' V710's Powder Coated Satin Black//Macht Schnell 12mm Rear Spacers//3D Design Style Carbon Fiber Rear Diffuser//VRS Style Carbon Fiber Front Splitter//Carbon Fiber License Plate Frame//Carbon Fiber Air Box Cover//Jet Black Mirror Covers//Hardwired V1//M Badged Aluminum Pedal Set//6000K D1S HID Bulbs//LUX H8 6000K AE's//GP Thunder 8500K H3 Cornering Bulbs//Racing Dash License Plate LED's//Full LED Interior//Additional DIY Upper Trunk Lighting Assembly//Brabusw209amg HID Reverse Kit With Dual On-The-Fly OEM Fog Light Switch with Indicator LEDs//DIY Enabled Rear Fog Lights//Shadow ///M3 Emblem//Custom Painted Shadow Gloss "///M3 V8" Engine Badge//Matte Black Kidney Grilles//Matte Black Side Grilles//Key-Hole Delete//CF Steering Wheel Emblem//Painted Reflectors//Trunk Mounted Euro Plate//Race Precision Window Clings//Trinity Autosport Window Clings//"Checkmate." Rear Window Decal//BMW Brake Decals//V8 Engine Warning Label//DIY Trunk Mounted Flare Rack//15% Tint on Rear window, 30% on the Sides, 50% on Windshield//
Future Mods: Suggest some!
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#7 luigi524td

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Posted 13 June 2009 - 07:17 AM

I trust you were very cautious to prevent water getting into the switches on the wheel!

I cleaned up mine with a Magic Sponge - it's sort of a microfiber sponge that you use slightly damp to remove dirt and grease. Finished up with leather conditioner and wiped it down real good to avoid making the steering wheel slippery.

Current

2007 530xi
1998 Z3 2.8
2007 Rav4 V-6 AWD

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2001 740i
1994 740i
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#8 theXman

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Posted 13 June 2009 - 07:52 AM

That's a great DYI to give the steering wheel a new look. Great job!

#9 Milko75

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Posted 13 June 2009 - 11:19 AM

Thanks guys � hopefully this helps.

#10 Anzafin

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Posted 13 June 2009 - 11:55 AM

Milko75, on Jun 13 2009, 07:19 PM, said:

Thanks guys � hopefully this helps.

Wow that looks great! I have to buy the same soap and give it a go! Thanks for the DIY :thumbsup:

530D- Sapphire Black -

Mods:Body: M-Tech kit / ACS style roof spoiler / Hamann style front splitter / Trunk finisher / Shadowline trim / Black grille Suspension: KW Street Comfort coilovers
Lighting: LED AE's / LED interior / LED license plate / LED trunk Wheels&tires (S): Rondell 0049 matte black 8,5x19 ET14 + 245/35 Hankook V12 EVO K110
Wheels&tires (W):Style 135 8x18 ET20 + spacers + 245/40 Nokian Hakkapeliitta 7 Others: iPod interface / AUX-input / Sprintbooster / Swirl flaps removed / M Shift knob / M Pedal set / Quad exhaust

#11 theXman

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Posted 13 June 2009 - 11:32 PM

Who knew? Just some soap and water can do wonder with the leather on steering wheel.

#12 mrfva

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Posted 14 June 2009 - 12:18 AM

Great job

I'll have to ask my colleagues at work to pick me up some of this soap, next time they travel to Finland.

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#13 Brit_in_NJ

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Posted 14 June 2009 - 12:26 AM

Saddle soap is also supposed to be a good way to clean leather. I also heard the "Magic Eraser" formaldehyde-melamine-sodium bisulfite copolymer foam (if you want to be technical) is also good at removing the unwanted shine from leather.

05 545 Titanium Silver, Black Leather - Nav, Logic 7, Cold weather, bi-xenon...yeah its stock...except:
PES ECU Remap (From Tuning Technology thanks Bruce!), K&N Air Filter, Carbon filter removed... M5 iDrive knob...
Umnitza license plate LEDs...MP3 Retrofit... 40% 3M tint...ACS Anti-Roll bars...RPI Scoop...G-Tech Pro RR...
CF Roundels Trinity AutoSport, CF Wheel caps...LED sidemarkers...BMW CCA Member!
M-Tech front bumper - Hartge Splitter Blacked out grill - HID foglights - ACS rear Spoiler

Some other things in the works: More M-Tech...

#14 mrfva

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Posted 14 June 2009 - 12:29 AM

Brit_in_NJ, on Jun 14 2009, 12:26 AM, said:

I also heard the "Magic Eraser" formaldehyde-melamine-sodium bisulfite copolymer foam (if you want to be technical) is also good at removing the unwanted shine from leather.

Which reminds me ... a thread from last year on using Magic Eraser,
http://forums.e60.ne...opic=57851&st=0

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#15 Brit_in_NJ

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Posted 14 June 2009 - 12:38 AM

mrfva, on Jun 14 2009, 01:29 AM, said:

Which reminds me ... a thread from last year on using Magic Eraser,
http://forums.e60.ne...opic=57851&st=0

Ah...maybe thats where i saw it! Thanks! Use magic eraser with extreme caution then! I still think the saddle soap is ok, its designed for leather.

I took the easy way out...and got a new steering wheel. :cool: