BMW X3 Forum
BMW X3 Forum
Welcome to the ultimate BMW X3 community.
BMW Garage BMW Meets Register Search Today's Posts Mark Forums Read
Post Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread
      10-13-2021, 07:42 PM   #1
hudlander
Private First Class
21
Rep
129
Posts

Drives: Looking...
Join Date: Mar 2021
Location: USA

iTrader: (0)

Leather Steering Wheel - How To Keep Fresh

BIMMERPOST
     Featured on BIMMERPOST.com
Got my 2018 X3 with 50Kish miles, got it in March with 42K.
Steering wheel was great at first, but obviously with use it loses that freshness.

I got it armor-alled when it was washed in July and it last a month.
What do you recommend/do to keep that nice fresh feel?
Appreciate 0
      10-13-2021, 08:14 PM   #2
Sherweeeny
yep
Sherweeeny's Avatar
Australia
111
Rep
604
Posts

Drives: 340i
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Sydney

iTrader: (0)

I definitely would recommend not armour-alling it.

The best way to get it back to a new look finish will likely be spraying leather cleaner on, brushing it all around with something with soft bristles (shoe or tooth brush) and then wiping it off with a microfibre cloth.

Then spray it again with the leather cleaner, grab a fresh cloth and give it a motorcycle rev style motion all around the wheel to really get all the muck off.

The leather should have a clean matte look by the end of the process.

IMO armour-all makes things look old really used by making it shiny and ive read up extensively on it and reports are that it actually in the long run dries out leather and plastics making them look worse.

Post some before and afters if you go down this route and good luck!
Appreciate 5
      10-14-2021, 01:42 AM   #3
daveface
Private First Class
United Kingdom
84
Rep
108
Posts

Drives: BMW X3 M40i
Join Date: Dec 2019
Location: Gloucestershire

iTrader: (0)

I use this

Dodo Juice SNLC500 Supernatural Leather Cleaner Spray for Vinyl and Leather, 500 ml https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00DS44S...ERBKZD15E6KMY6

Leaves it with a nice matte finish.
Appreciate 0
      10-14-2021, 06:51 AM   #4
avi66
Brigadier General
avi66's Avatar
United Kingdom
2586
Rep
4,110
Posts

Drives: X3 M40d LCI
Join Date: Jun 2021
Location: UK

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by hudlander View Post
Got my 2018 X3 with 50Kish miles, got it in March with 42K.
Steering wheel was great at first, but obviously with use it loses that freshness.

I got it armor-alled when it was washed in July and it last a month.
What do you recommend/do to keep that nice fresh feel?
Clean with Dr Leather or Colourlock cleaner/treatment and then apply anti transfer product from the same every 3 months.
Appreciate 0
      10-14-2021, 07:40 AM   #5
DenverSteve
Lieutenant
DenverSteve's Avatar
965
Rep
537
Posts

Drives: 2021 BMW
Join Date: Jul 2021
Location: Denver / L.A.

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by Sherweeeny View Post
I definitely would recommend not armour-alling it....
^^^^^

First, keep your hands clean so you're not gunking up the wheel. Then use a leather conditioner on your leather. For the steering wheel use the same conditioner that you use on your other leather parts. You can use convenient wipes, sprays or creams.
Appreciate 1
leon360x139.50
      10-14-2021, 07:50 AM   #6
hudlander
Private First Class
21
Rep
129
Posts

Drives: Looking...
Join Date: Mar 2021
Location: USA

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by avi66 View Post
Clean with Dr Leather or Colourlock cleaner/treatment and then apply anti transfer product from the same every 3 months.
1. Which specific Dr. Leather or Colourlock products?
2. How easy is this, I generally suck at this stuff, without instruction.
3. How often?
Appreciate 0
      10-14-2021, 08:35 AM   #7
avi66
Brigadier General
avi66's Avatar
United Kingdom
2586
Rep
4,110
Posts

Drives: X3 M40d LCI
Join Date: Jun 2021
Location: UK

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by hudlander View Post
1. Which specific Dr. Leather or Colourlock products?
2. How easy is this, I generally suck at this stuff, without instruction.
3. How often?
It's very easy, just follow the manufacturer's instructions on the container. How often to clean really depends on the level of soiling, but somewhere between once every 1-3 months. Transfer protection anywhere from 3-6 months.

Clean

https://www.colourlock.com/all-diy-p...er-200-ml.html

Transfer Protect

https://www.colourlock.com/all-diy-p...ld-150-ml.html

Dr Leather cleaner and transfer proection

https://www.colourlock.com/all-diy-p...ld-150-ml.html
Appreciate 0
      10-14-2021, 10:24 AM   #8
freshxdough
BMW Master Technician - HV Gen 5 and HV Specialist
freshxdough's Avatar
3467
Rep
4,178
Posts

Drives: 2020 X3 M40i
Join Date: Mar 2017
Location: Orange County

iTrader: (0)

Never armor all leather. Leather is supposed to be cleaned and conditioned. It's not supposed to be shiny and slippery. A good cleaner and a gentle microfiber sponge will get a lot of dirt and grime off the wheel and depending on its current condition should bring it back to a nice matte smooth finish
Appreciate 2
DAC17170.50
      10-14-2021, 02:04 PM   #9
taek
Lieutenant
United_States
291
Rep
463
Posts

Drives: X5 45e
Join Date: Jul 2021
Location: Chicago

iTrader: (0)

I use Gyeon Leather Cleaner Mild to clean every week or two, with a leather brush and MF towel.

The detailing product manufacturer recommended to not coat or condition steering wheels with anything, just clean them. I can attest to this, I've conditioned wheels before and it feels less matte (and smells).
Appreciate 0
      10-14-2021, 02:37 PM   #10
fdpxfunix
Second Lieutenant
fdpxfunix's Avatar
United Kingdom
182
Rep
287
Posts

Drives: X3 xDrive 30d M Sport
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: UK - West Sussex

iTrader: (0)

For me...

a) Take a slightly damp old hand towel.
b) Apply... Autoglym Leather Cleaner ...liberally to the towel.
c) Rub the towel all over the leather parts of the steering wheel making sure you give it a good scrub to remove the dirt, but don't be over hard with the scrubbing.
d) Leave the cleaner to settle for a few minutes.
e) Take a slightly damp clean microfiber towel and wipe off residue. Rinse microfiber in clean water and repeat.
f) Leave steering wheel to dry naturally.
g) Repeat process if you need too.

I've done this 3 times on my 2018 steering wheel (19K miles) and it's come up just fine. No other products applied afterwards.

Antibacterial hand gels seem to make my steering wheel go shiny very quickly!

J.
__________________
2018 - BMW X3 30d xDrive M Sport
2010 - BMW X1 18d sDrive SE
2011 - Audi A1 S Line TDi
2007 - Vauxhall Corsa CDTi
2004 - Subaru Impreza WRX Wagon
Appreciate 0
      10-14-2021, 02:47 PM   #11
MdW86
Private First Class
83
Rep
186
Posts

Drives: Bmw f30 320i 2012
Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: NL

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by taek View Post
I use Gyeon Leather Cleaner Mild to clean every week or two, with a leather brush and MF towel.

The detailing product manufacturer recommended to not coat or condition steering wheels with anything, just clean them. I can attest to this, I've conditioned wheels before and it feels less matte (and smells).
Quote:
Originally Posted by taek View Post
I use Gyeon Leather Cleaner Mild to clean every week or two, with a leather brush and MF towel.

The detailing product manufacturer recommended to not coat or condition steering wheels with anything, just clean them. I can attest to this, I've conditioned wheels before and it feels less matte (and smells).
Gyeon. The best of all i've used.
Appreciate 0
      10-14-2021, 08:47 PM   #12
Sherweeeny
yep
Sherweeeny's Avatar
Australia
111
Rep
604
Posts

Drives: 340i
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Sydney

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by MdW86 View Post
Gyeon. The best of all i've used.
have you used bathe+ on the exterior?
Appreciate 0
      10-14-2021, 08:55 PM   #13
CatSpare
Private First Class
CatSpare's Avatar
United_States
187
Rep
103
Posts

Drives: BMW X3 xDrive30i
Join Date: Jun 2020
Location: NC

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by hudlander View Post
….What do you recommend/do to keep that nice fresh feel?
Reliable products for leather…

https://www.lexol.com/product/leathe...-conditioner-2
Appreciate 0
      10-15-2021, 10:58 PM   #14
freshxdough
BMW Master Technician - HV Gen 5 and HV Specialist
freshxdough's Avatar
3467
Rep
4,178
Posts

Drives: 2020 X3 M40i
Join Date: Mar 2017
Location: Orange County

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by Sherweeeny View Post
Quote:
Originally Posted by MdW86 View Post
Gyeon. The best of all i've used.
have you used bathe+ on the exterior?
I have used bathe +. It's great but I honestly don't prefer it because it's not very sudsy. Which makes it a little difficult for me to gauge how much soap I'm even getting on the paint from wash bucket. It's like you get your mitt wet and wipe the paint for 2 seconds and it's basically just wiping water on the car now. That's my only dislike about it. I'd probably recommend Bathe if it creates a better sudsy wash.
Appreciate 0
      10-16-2021, 09:19 AM   #15
RedJon
Second Lieutenant
United Kingdom
116
Rep
247
Posts

Drives: BMW iX3 MSport Pro
Join Date: Oct 2019
Location: Warwickshire

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by Sherweeeny View Post
I definitely would recommend not armour-alling it.

The best way to get it back to a new look finish will likely be spraying leather cleaner on, brushing it all around with something with soft bristles (shoe or tooth brush) and then wiping it off with a microfibre cloth……….
I would definitely not recommend brushing it with a shoe
Appreciate 0
      10-17-2021, 09:30 PM   #16
x3Prancer
Enlisted Member
United_States
42
Rep
45
Posts

Drives: 2019 X3 sDrive30i
Join Date: Jan 2021
Location: SouthEast USA

iTrader: (0)

I found the best way to keep the leather steering wheel, and all the other leather/vinyl surfaces clean with a nice matte finish is using 303 with a wet micro fiber towel and then wipe/dry it with a dry micro fiber towel.
Leaves the steering wheel looking like it was when new.

https://www.amazon.com/303-Surface-C...a-574541385972
Appreciate 0
      10-17-2021, 09:31 PM   #17
hudlander
Private First Class
21
Rep
129
Posts

Drives: Looking...
Join Date: Mar 2021
Location: USA

iTrader: (0)

OK thank you. If I need it done quickly now, can I take it to a car wash like this (https://embassyautowash.com ) and what would I ask?
Appreciate 0
      10-18-2021, 01:55 AM   #18
Sherweeeny
yep
Sherweeeny's Avatar
Australia
111
Rep
604
Posts

Drives: 340i
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Sydney

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by freshxdough View Post
I have used bathe +. It's great but I honestly don't prefer it because it's not very sudsy. Which makes it a little difficult for me to gauge how much soap I'm even getting on the paint from wash bucket. It's like you get your mitt wet and wipe the paint for 2 seconds and it's basically just wiping water on the car now. That's my only dislike about it. I'd probably recommend Bathe if it creates a better sudsy wash.
Fair enough. You dont really need the suds though, its just something that i guess is imprinted into your head from the old days. it still feels weird for me too, but the end result is fantastic

Quote:
Originally Posted by RedJon View Post
I would definitely not recommend brushing it with a shoe
hmm... what about a pitchfork?
Appreciate 0
      10-18-2021, 08:00 AM   #19
dcchris311
Private First Class
dcchris311's Avatar
United_States
264
Rep
190
Posts

Drives: 2020 X3 M40i PB/C
Join Date: Apr 2020
Location: N. DFW

iTrader: (0)

Garage List
  [10.00]
I gently steam clean my steering wheel, followed by a leather appropriate ceramic coat and then top it off with a leather conditioner. it helps to keep the leather nice/soft and easy to clean.
Appreciate 0
      02-26-2022, 04:05 PM   #20
hudlander
Private First Class
21
Rep
129
Posts

Drives: Looking...
Join Date: Mar 2021
Location: USA

iTrader: (0)

I’m not the best or most comfortable with this stuff, is Lexol easy enough to do the job and not mess up?
Appreciate 0
      02-26-2022, 09:23 PM   #21
Cinderella4282
New Member
17
Rep
27
Posts

Drives: BMW X3
Join Date: Feb 2022
Location: Milwaukee, WI

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by DenverSteve View Post
^^^^^

First, keep your hands clean so you're not gunking up the wheel. Then use a leather conditioner on your leather. For the steering wheel use the same conditioner that you use on your other leather parts. You can use convenient wipes, sprays or creams.
Another vote for leather conditioner! Apple leather conditioner is amazing. I use it on untreated leather high-end purses and it’s amazing.
Appreciate 1
      02-27-2022, 04:33 AM   #22
avi66
Brigadier General
avi66's Avatar
United Kingdom
2586
Rep
4,110
Posts

Drives: X3 M40d LCI
Join Date: Jun 2021
Location: UK

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by Cinderella4282 View Post
Another vote for leather conditioner! Apple leather conditioner is amazing. I use it on untreated leather high-end purses and it’s amazing.
How does "leather conditioner" work on modern automotive leather which has a paint-like topcoat designed to prevent the underlying leather from absorbing anything?

From a company that provides leather tech to OEM -

"The Myth of Conditioners...
As a consequence, the way to clean and maintain your leather has also changed. The old style regime of ‘clean and feed your leather’ is outdated. The cleaning is still very important, but the feeding is now a bit of a myth, because these so called ‘conditioners’ cannot get into the leather any longer due to the tough coating systems used. Typically, conditioners are based on natural ingredients such as beeswax, lanolin, etc. and their chemical make-up cannot truly penetrate into modern leathers through the coatings. Most applications say to apply the conditioner, leave for a period of time and then wipe off any excess. This shows a real issue in that the conditioner, if wiped off will appear to be gone, but actually it will still be there on the surface to some degree, and in the ‘valleys’ between the grain pattern, and will actually pick up dirt and soiling more quickly. Which then forces you to clean the leather sooner, and then recondition, ultimately creating the ‘quick-soiling’ scenario all over again. Also other brands say their conditioners are required for maintaining softness, but the moisture content of the leather is the most critical aspect, and that is controlled through the humectants and special fatliquors used in modern leather manufacture.

The Truth...
The truth is that modern-day leathers still require maintenance, but through regular cleaning. However, a lot of cleaners are very generic, and their formulations can actually cause minor damage to the coatings if used in excess or not cleaned off properly."
Appreciate 0
Post Reply

Bookmarks

Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 08:13 PM.




xbimmers
Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.11
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions Inc.
1Addicts.com, BIMMERPOST.com, E90Post.com, F30Post.com, M3Post.com, ZPost.com, 5Post.com, 6Post.com, 7Post.com, XBimmers.com logo and trademark are properties of BIMMERPOST