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General => Detailing => Topic started by: mcmaddy on 29 April 2019, 18:46

Title: Steering Wheel Cleaning
Post by: mcmaddy on 29 April 2019, 18:46

Is the steering wheel on the mk7 GTi real leather? If so what do people use to clean them? I've managed to catch the bottom of mine on a zip I think and it's scuffed it, will a leather cleaner be any good at covering this up.

Title: Re: Steering Wheel Cleaning
Post by: Splashalot on 30 April 2019, 01:19

Quote from: mcmaddy on 29 April 2019, 18:46

Is the steering wheel on the mk7 GTi real leather? If so what do people use to clean them? I've managed to catch the bottom of mine on a zip I think and it's scuffed it, will a leather cleaner be any good at covering this up.

I expect the wheel is leather - sure feels like it.

I managed to put a zip abrasion on the bottom of my mk5 GTI's steering wheel - no amount of cleaner or leather conditioner made any difference.  If the surface of the leather is broken I'm not aware it can be repaired.

Title: Re: Steering Wheel Cleaning
Post by: mcmaddy on 30 April 2019, 06:29

I think it's just a scuff to be fair but was thinking about cleaning the wheel too. Doesn't look particularly clean  :whistle:

Title: Re: Steering Wheel Cleaning
Post by: dubber36 on 30 April 2019, 08:19

You can 'massage' marks out of leather, or at least lessen the extent of them.

As for cleaning, a Flash Magic Eraser will clean the grim out and bring back it's original matt finish. They are pretty aggressive, so go easy and don't do it more that 2 or 3 times.

Title: Re: Steering Wheel Cleaning
Post by: hepton on 30 April 2019, 09:23

baby wipes cleans them fine :grin:

Title: Re: Steering Wheel Cleaning
Post by: mcmaddy on 30 April 2019, 14:58

Was thinking fragrance free baby wipes actually Hepton 👍.

Title: Re: Steering Wheel Cleaning
Post by: SRGTD on 30 April 2019, 18:53

I had a small scuff on leather rim on my Polo GTI steering wheel. Good old fashioned Kiwi black shoe polish (the hard wax version on the small round tin, not the liquid version with a sponge applicator) rubbed into the scuffed area on a soft cloth and then buffed off and the scuff was gone.

It works on leather shoes, so didn’t see any reason why it wouldn’t work on a leather steering wheel cover.

Title: Re: Steering Wheel Cleaning
Post by: Watts on 30 April 2019, 19:35

Dr Leather wet wipes, very good. Not for scuffs though.

Title: Re: Steering Wheel Cleaning
Post by: mcmaddy on 30 April 2019, 19:59

I'll give it a clean first then see how the scuff is after. 👍

Title: Re: Steering Wheel Cleaning
Post by: Jdm owner on 07 May 2019, 19:39

Gliptone works well, but not for scuffs though.

Title: Re: Steering Wheel Cleaning
Post by: Tally Wacker on 07 June 2019, 19:55

Did anyone else have any input on cleaning/conditioning their steering wheel?

Title: Re: Steering Wheel Cleaning
Post by: Booth11 on 07 June 2019, 20:27

The steering wheel is real leather (as opposed to pleather).

As SRGTD suggests, leather cream shoe polish is good for masking small scuffs. 
 
For more general leather care and maintenance, I use and highly recommend  Gliptone Intensive Liquid Leather Cleaner which I’ve been using for last few years on my leather steering wheels and interiors.  It’s very good for restoring and retaining matte finish.  A bottle lasts for ages even on a whole leather interior.  https://www.amazon.co.uk/Gliptone-Premium-Leather-Intensive-Cleaner/dp/B00CJ9USXY/ref=sr_1_6?adgrpid=48685547410&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI6r6G8ZWt4gIVGLLtCh0QXwIzEAAYASAAEgJn2_D_BwE&hvadid=259073913030&hvdev=t&hvlocphy=1006602&hvnetw=g&hvpos=1t1&hvqmt=e&hvrand=16511845005476504792&hvtargid=kwd-296308438294&hydadcr=1129_1867080&keywords=gliptone+leather+cleaner&qid=1558460530&s=gateway&sr=8-6

They also do a milder version in a trigger spray which is really good too. https://www.amazon.co.uk/GLIPTON-Gliptone-Gentle-Leather-Cleaner/dp/B00B1SX4HG/ref=sr_1_5?adgrpid=48685547410&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI6r6G8ZWt4gIVGLLtCh0QXwIzEAAYASAAEgJn2_D_BwE&hvadid=259073913030&hvdev=t&hvlocphy=1006602&hvnetw=g&hvpos=1t1&hvqmt=e&hvrand=16511845005476504792&hvtargid=kwd-296308438294&hydadcr=1129_1867080&keywords=gliptone+leather+cleaner&qid=1558460590&s=gateway&sr=8-5

The conditioner is also very good and imparts an amazing genuine leather smell.  I tend to only use it a couple times a year.  https://www.amazon.co.uk/Gliptone-Leather-Conditioner-250ml-GT11/dp/B00C94WQES/ref=pd_sbs_263_1/262-0319570-0348518?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_i=B00C94WQES&pd_rd_r=8fa17b48-8959-11e9-b985-0d3eb34abefb&pd_rd_w=Anfuc&pd_rd_wg=B9HkF&pf_rd_p=18edf98b-139a-41ee-bb40-d725dd59d1d3&pf_rd_r=E52315DQFV7BWA0AB34W&psc=1&refRID=E52315DQFV7BWA0AB34W


Gtechniq L1 Leather Guard is good longer term protectant, for preventing scuffs and great for restoring leather that has started to go shiny.  https://www.amazon.co.uk/Gtechniq-0-1-L1-Leather-Guard/dp/B014HI5SE8/ref=sr_1_fkmrnull_1?crid=1JCUL6IFZO9QV&keywords=gtechniq+l1+leather+guard&qid=1558460770&s=gateway&sprefix=Gtechniq+L1%2Caps%2C165&sr=8-1-fkmrnull
 
I treated my 3.5 year old steering wheel with Gliptone leather cleaner and Gtechniq L1 a couple weeks back.

(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/46959069685_797dce629b_o.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2exBvov)

Title: Re: Steering Wheel Cleaning
Post by: Tally Wacker on 07 June 2019, 20:48

Cheers Booth11. Appreciate the help.  I don't have a leather interior in my GTI so looking for something just to keep the steering wheel in good order really.
So many products available it's hard to know where to dip your toe in.
Wasn't sure if I needed both a cleaner & conditioner, just a cleaner or something that supposed to be both in one.

Title: Re: Steering Wheel Cleaning
Post by: Watts on 08 June 2019, 15:09

I use Dr Leather wipes on mine, keeps it looking good.