Cleaning leather steering wheel

[omgwtfbbqcopter]

I let a friend borrow my 128i for 2 weeks because i cannot drive due to surgery and medication, and he is an avid hair grease user. I went to drive my car today and found myself very angry at the fact that my matte-black leather steering wheel is glossy and slippery from hair grease. Is there any way to restore the brand new matte-black leatherness that it once was? I hope it didn't soak into the leather too badly. I loved how it was dull in appearance and not slippery. Help!

[MadMan77]

Clean it just like you would with leather seats.

1) Make sure the leather is slightly warm to open up it's pores.
2) Clean it with just warm water and a smooth white cotton cloth.
3) Apply cleaner/conditioner lightly.
4) Repeat step 3 as necessary.

It is a good thing to note not to over-condition the steering wheel. If you apply too much product it will damage the leather and make it wear faster. I was guilty of this with my STi's leather steering wheel before this and the leather started to flake.

Edit: Many leather products can be used: Leatherique, Zymol, Spinneybeck, the BMW kit, etc...

[vanbmw]

After you do the leather clean conditioning as MadMan77 recommends don't worry if your leather isn't the matte black you want. It may be a little sticky or glossy for a day or two. The conditioner will get absorbed into the leather and the surface will dry back to the origional state but the leather will be better then before! I use Lexol on my seats and steering wheel and get good results.

[omgwtfbbqcopter]

Thanks for the tips. I confronted him and he also told me it's cocoa butter lotion. I'll probably go to the nearest bmw dealership to get the conditioner and cleaner, as i have to bring the car in for warranty work as well. The leatherette on the passenger's seat pulled away from the seat at the top by the release handle to let passengers in. It was actually that way when i took delivery, and the salesman snapped it back together. People just don't know how to get in a car with side bolsters; they'd rather sit on the bolster and slide into the seat rather than to swing their hips

[RobMason]

!

[dubdemand]

Indeed - how much is the performance wheel?

[Artmasterx]

A lot

[smpeck]

Man... check the head rest, maybe there is a big old grease spot there too. Makes me think of that Eddie Murphy movie... Coming to America. lol

[oneintheory]

this the same guy who "made'' someone put a cigarette burn in your headliner?

[Jumpman]

Saddle Soap

Also, couldn't resist posting this:



Coming to America is one of my favorite movies. Kind of a guilty pleasure, I guess :-)

[Greg@DetailedImage]

I would use a quality leather care product on both the wheel and seat. My favorite product would definitely be the Leatherique Prestine Clean - 16 oz and the Leatherique Rejuvenator Oil - 16 oz. It deep cleans and conditions the surface to remove human oils, dirt, stains and more. It should do an excellent job of removing that residue and leaving the wheel looking like new again. We have specific instructions on how to use these products in our Detailing Guide. Let me know if you have any other questions.

Greg @ DI