Steering wheel rim - sticky

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Old Oct 18, 2010 | 02:01 PM
  #1  
YukonOlds's Avatar
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Steering wheel rim - sticky

Is there a good way to cleen up a sticky sport steering wheel rim please?

Thanks
John
Old Oct 18, 2010 | 02:05 PM
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6inarow's Avatar
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Very common problem. This is a good thread about it:

https://classicoldsmobile.com/forums...ing-wheel.html
Old Oct 19, 2010 | 05:51 AM
  #3  
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If just a little tacky, try some goo-gone in a hidden area and see what happens.
Also, try washing it with some mild detergent (like for dishes) and water and carefully and slowly brushing with a toothbrush to get any nasty crap out of the pores. It worked for the wheel I bought.

If the wheel is a shiny gooey mess, then I doubt these will work...
Old Oct 19, 2010 | 06:02 AM
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I like denatured alcohol, but, as Rob said, try it in an invisible area (like under the pad) to be sure it doesn't cause any problems.

- Eric
Old Oct 19, 2010 | 06:07 AM
  #5  
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The plastic will continue to be sticky until all the plasticizer in the wheel has "seeped" out. A lot of the plasticizers used previously is no longer used because better substitutes were found and in some cases plasticizers have been banned from certain product categories (mostly infant products and some cases banned altogether). The EU has been out in front of this for some time now.
Old Oct 19, 2010 | 06:14 AM
  #6  
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I had a couple of old 911's, and the plastic in there used to sweat so badly that it would fog the windows with sticky goo after a week in the sun.

- Eric
Old Nov 27, 2010 | 05:57 PM
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I have had this problem many times. Only a few years back you could get a dry cleaning solution used on clothing and oriental rugs. It was called 1 1 1 trichlorathane but it has since been banned. Try boat shops...they have a a fiberglass cleaner that is similiar to rubbing alcohol. Start with a damp rag and remove the loose dirt then apply cleaner to a rag and rub clean. One of the issues is oil from your hands and oils and chemicals from the steering wheel leaching out when the car gets hot in the sun. I use to get paid by detail companies to clean thier customers steering wheels..good money! Ford had huge problem with this issue on the escort model. Caused windows to fog up too!
Old Nov 27, 2010 | 06:03 PM
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cop cars are known for this too "Dam jelly donuts"
Old Nov 27, 2010 | 06:07 PM
  #9  
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I love trichloroethylene as a cleaner.

It's got alcohol-like characteristics that make it a good cleaner of water-soluble dirt, and non-polar characteristics that make it a good cleaner of oils, but doesn't take the paint off AT ALL.

- Eric
Old Nov 27, 2010 | 06:10 PM
  #10  
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Originally Posted by MDchanic
I love trichloroethylene as a cleaner.

It's got alcohol-like characteristics that make it a good cleaner of water-soluble dirt, and non-polar characteristics that make it a good cleaner of oils, but doesn't take the paint off AT ALL.

- Eric
how do you say that trichloroethylene ? please tell me you had to look at the bottle to write that
Old Nov 27, 2010 | 06:17 PM
  #11  
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Yup totally screwed the spelling!!!!! You can use the 1 1 1 on carpet and upholstery. It will evaporate quickly so if you have any keep the lid type. If you have engine or trunk stickers that need cleaning it will remove grease and oil w/o removing ink. But best of all if you have a newer model olds it does great on oxidized rubber trim and bumper trim. But avoid hard plastics it can discolor!!!!!!
Old Nov 27, 2010 | 07:23 PM
  #12  
MDchanic's Avatar
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Originally Posted by firefrost gold
please tell me you had to look at the bottle to write that
Sorry. Some years ago, I was tortured by evil men who permanently implanted words like this in my head (as well as what they mean).
And, no, they couldn't make me crack.

- Eric
Old Aug 6, 2011 | 08:03 PM
  #13  
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I know that I am coming to this party late, but it is important to know that trichloroethylene is a dangerous chemical if mishandled.. Trichloroethyleneeffects theCentral nervous system as a result of inhalation exposure. It can be absorbed through the skin unless you handle it with special gloves. It used to be sold in gallon containers as a household spot remover under the name of Renuzit.
Old Aug 7, 2011 | 05:50 AM
  #14  
navvet's Avatar
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I don't think you can get it anymore.And I did use it a great deal. Always took care of the hands and lungs. But it did work great...remember Chemicals are our friends!!!
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