I have a 69 comfort sport steering wheel that is sticky. Most of the grain is gone, but still want to use it. Is there a good way to stop or remove this sticky condition so it does not return? I have run into this problem before with other gm wheels and have not found a suitable solution. Any ideas??
"sticky" comfort sport steering wheel
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The same thing happened to me when I had the '71-'72 four spoke SS wheel on mine.
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Try doing a search. This has been discussed fairly recently with several suggestions on things to try.
There's no perfect way that I have found. Harsh chemicals like lacquer thinner and carb cleaner will clean them quickly and easily but will soften the wheel so much it only makes the problem worse. I run a couple sport steering wheels and what I do is clean them with a soapy vinyl or dash cleaner. It takes a lot of scrubbing and is hard to get perfectly clean, then I use a vinyl protectant that may make it feel a little slick, then wipe it with a clean rag again. Depending on use, (the more the better) it will feel more natural. It is just the nature of the material though. Heat magnifies the problem. It's just age and ozone. I'm still looking for the perfect solution.
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A previos thread on this subject suggested using rubbing alcohol. It also said that all that sticky crap was from the material deteriating.
Just went thru this and here is the secret I learned from Chuck Hanson. I got a 4-spoke sport wheel at a garage sale that was so sticky it was as if it was soaked in honey and left it out the sun for months. Must of been an 1/8" thick. First I soaked it in a strong soapy amonia solution for 24 hours then scrubbed it with soft scrub and a brush. Was 80% better but not good. Was talking to Chuck and mentioned it to him and he said take a hand cleaner like that orange whatever and just keep rubbing, I used Mr. Goodwrench but I think any would do. I rubbed the whole thing like that for 15 minutes and then scrubbed it good with a dish detergent and a brush. Toweled it off and it was dry as a baby's butt. I wanted to paint mine a different color so Chuck said to wipe it down with alcohol or as I did, vinyl prep, and paint it wih a laquer paint.
I am so impressed with the results. I accidently dropped it on the cement with absolutely no damage. Highly recommend this procedure.
I am so impressed with the results. I accidently dropped it on the cement with absolutely no damage. Highly recommend this procedure.
You can also add this to the "uses for duct tape"
I put 79ish Malibu steering wheels in both of my C-10 trucks
78, 79, 'cause I wanted a smaller wheel-----these wheels do the same thing. After sitting in the sun for a while, seems the rubbery part of the wheel wants to drip off. Get in, grab hold of the wheel, and you can't let go of it.
I put 79ish Malibu steering wheels in both of my C-10 trucks
78, 79, 'cause I wanted a smaller wheel-----these wheels do the same thing. After sitting in the sun for a while, seems the rubbery part of the wheel wants to drip off. Get in, grab hold of the wheel, and you can't let go of it.
I put a sticky 4-spoke wheel into my car. So, I searched this site and found some advice. Washing it is a good first step. Now for the odd thing that actually works pretty well. Wipe it down with WD-40. I know that sounds wrong, but it really works.
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