How best to clean a steering wheel?

Post by **scot850** » 28 Jan 2024, 12:55

My brother's daughter's 850 suffered sun damage to the steering wheel in the CA to the point the wheel is crumbling. I have pulled a solid wheel which is harder than realized to find is decent condition. Now they are in CO it should be less of an issue.

The wheel is solid, but a little faded. Is there any way to re-color the wheel back to black that won't leave residue on your hands each time you use it?

Neil.

Post by **MoVolvos** » 28 Jan 2024, 15:45

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Post by **volvolugnut** » 28 Jan 2024, 15:49

Cover it with the lace on wheel cover.
volvolugnut

Post by **abscate** » 29 Jan 2024, 04:22

Isopropyl alcohol ( rubbing alcohol) is best to remove the gummy feel

I don’t think you can use a v70 wheel on an 850 , can you?

Post by **scot850** » 29 Jan 2024, 08:49

The answer is yes you can, but you then have to swap the airbag over as well. This wheel is good, it has just discolored from the black/gray color where it was exposed to the sun. It is clean and not gummy, just areas of lighter grey. I would like to get it back to the original color ideally. Yet another investigative project.

I have been given a few good suggestions above. My niece is already using the cover.

Thanks for the advice!

Neil.

Post by **scot850** » 29 Jan 2024, 19:20

Here is a question. Are the regular black steering wheels leather or vinyl? Mine is fairly clean, but has color loss, but it does not look like leather.

Neil.

Post by **abscate** » 29 Jan 2024, 19:30

I think the dressier linrs of car were leather; GLT, T5 , R maybe?

Post by **scot850** » 30 Jan 2024, 14:16

Sooo, the standard Volvo steering heel is NOT leather or even pleather. It is a form of vinyl, so leather recoloring products do not adhere to them. I showed the wheel to an automotive interior repair shop and they are recommending I need to clean the wheel thoroughly with soap and water and then rubbing alcohol. Then to use an adhesion promoter, followed by a vinyl paint. These products do not allow the color to come back off on your hands. They suggested a paint supplier so I will visit them when I have time and see what products they suggest.

This should make an interesting project, but I may leak it until the weather warms up so the painting can get done outside!

Neil.