McConaugheysBooger Posted March 2, 2020 Share Posted March 2, 2020 The oils or the pressure from my hands are causing a slick, shiny spot on the top part of my steering wheel where my hand naturally rests despite using a soft cloth with meguiars mild interior detailing cleaner and then a leather conditioner at least once a month. Looks weird with the bottom part of my steering wheel having a nice matte sheen and the top right looking high gloss LOL. Seems it needs something stronger than the mild clean and condition I've been doing... but I'm afraid to take any abrasive brush or detergent to the most used part of the wheel. Thoughts? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bbf2530 Posted March 2, 2020 Share Posted March 2, 2020 6 hours ago, McConaugheysBooger said: The oils or the pressure from my hands are causing a slick, shiny spot on the top part of my steering wheel where my hand naturally rests despite using a soft cloth with meguiars mild interior detailing cleaner and then a leather conditioner at least once a month. Looks weird with the bottom part of my steering wheel having a nice matte sheen and the top right looking high gloss LOL. Seems it needs something stronger than the mild clean and condition I've been doing... but I'm afraid to take any abrasive brush or detergent to the most used part of the wheel. Thoughts? Hi McCon. I do not have bottle of "meguiars mild interior detailing cleaner" in front of me to read the directions. However, I would recommend stop using the interior detailer and start using a dedicated leather cleaner and then the leather conditioner. Meguiar's makes good leather cleaners and conditioners. They also make a cleaner/conditioner combination. And there are other good brands. But I would stop using the interior detailer. And definitely do not use a brush. It will damage the synthetic microcoating on the leather, making ti look worse and wear faster. If you Google "automotive leather care", you can find many good videos, tutorials and recommendations. Or go to the Meguiar's website for good information. If your car is still within the 4 year/50,000 mile warranty, you can also point it out on your next service visit. It may be able to be covered under warranty, if it is considered to be a defect in material and/or workmanship, versus owner induced damage. Let us know how you make out and good luck. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
drolds1 Posted March 3, 2020 Share Posted March 3, 2020 It's interesting that you brought this up. I just turned in a 2017 for a 2020. I noticed what appeared to be "wear" spots forming on the steering wheel where I place my hands. I tried to clean them to no avail. Now, my wife and I both mentioned to each other that the 2020 has a sort of a textured surface steering wheel cover. I'm not sure what it's made of but it's definitely different from the smooth cover of the 2017. I don't think it's Alcantara. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bbf2530 Posted March 3, 2020 Share Posted March 3, 2020 9 hours ago, drolds1 said: It's interesting that you brought this up. I just turned in a 2017 for a 2020. I noticed what appeared to be "wear" spots forming on the steering wheel where I place my hands. I tried to clean them to no avail. Now, my wife and I both mentioned to each other that the 2020 has a sort of a textured surface steering wheel cover. I'm not sure what it's made of but it's definitely different from the smooth cover of the 2017. I don't think it's Alcantara. Hi drolds. Just as an FYI, in case it helps: The 2020 MKZ Order Guide states the 2020 MKZ Reserve has a "Wollsdorf Leather-Wrapped" steering wheel. If I recall correctly, the description for your 2017 and my 2018 only stated "Leather wrapped". So maybe your 2020 steering wheel has better quality leather? Now I hate you. ?? Just from my experience, Alcantara, Miko Suede etc would not be used on an entire steering wheel by a mainstream auto manufacturer (if they were, maybe only as a small trim strip/piece). Those materials would be a nightmare to keep clean on a steering wheel. Warranty replacements out the wazoo, as they say. ? Good luck. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scott Posted March 3, 2020 Share Posted March 3, 2020 Most of my steering wheel is now shiny and kind of slick. I have used a dedicated leather cleaner and conditioner (Guardsman), but it doesn't make much difference. In my case, I think it is just normal wear and tear. I know when I get a loaner that the steering wheel is much nicer feeling. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
drolds1 Posted March 3, 2020 Share Posted March 3, 2020 (edited) 23 minutes ago, bbf2530 said: Hi drolds. Just as an FYI, in case it helps: The 2020 MKZ Order Guide states the 2020 MKZ Reserve has a "Wollsdorf Leather-Wrapped" steering wheel. If I recall correctly, the description for your 2017 and my 2018 only stated "Leather wrapped". So maybe your 2020 steering wheel has better quality leather? Now I hate you. ?? Just from my experience, Alcantara, Miko Suede etc would not be used on an entire steering wheel by a mainstream auto manufacturer (if they were, maybe only as a small trim strip/piece). Those materials would be a nightmare to keep clean on a steering wheel. Warranty replacements out the wazoo, as they say. ? Good luck. LOL. ? I remember reading about the Wollsdorf leather steering wheel cover before I got the car but didn't pay it much mind at the time. Now I've made the connection. Thanks. IIRC, some BMWs had full Alcantara steering wheels. I looked at Wollsdorf's website. They describe their products but when it comes to steering wheel covers, it say "on request." Oh, well.? I'm away right now. The car arrived much earlier than expected and I took delivery just before leaving town. It's resting in my garage right now with 183 miles on the odo. I'll post some pics of the car and the wheel when I get home. Edited March 3, 2020 by drolds1 Robert Iggy Cerami 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
McConaugheysBooger Posted January 1, 2021 Author Share Posted January 1, 2021 I forgot to followup on this post but over the course of the year I've used only Griots 3 in 1 Gentle Leather Cleaner, Conditioner and Protectant and it seems to lift only a very small amount of oils from the leather. It will look slightly more matte for a day or two. I'm learning to deal with it as normal wear and tear but it still looks odd compared to the bottom that I rarely touch. Having no interest in cleaning the wheel every other day but I do use leather wipes on it once a week and that helps. This is my daily driver on a 1.5hr RT commute so the leather is inevitably going to absorb lotions, oil and whatever other grime my hands pick up in between washes. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Multitask Posted June 7, 2021 Share Posted June 7, 2021 Corinthian Leather Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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