How to get rid of shine on stock steering wheel. Is it real leather?
 

The shine on my steering wheel has been bothering me now that I switched back to it from a TRD wheel. I've always used meguiars quick detail and a microfiber cloth but it doesn't seem to do much in getting rid of shine. At least it's not making it shinier.

I've been looking at leather cleaner and conditioners but then I'm not quite sure if the stock steering wheel is real leather or some synthetic material.

Lol it's vinyl or something. It has a thin matte finish when new but rubs off pretty fast. You could take it somewhere to get it wrapped in real leather or buy the TRD wheel or DAMD wheel. I have the DAMD wheel, it's awesome.

The shine is what drove me to buy a new steering wheel btw. It looks cheap as fuck

Oh I see you had TRD wheel. Why'd you switch back?

Is your DAMD wheel the all leather version? I'm thinking about that one or the Cusco one. But tbh, I'm not really digging either since both look "too busy". I like the simple look of the TRD, the thickness and smaller diameter but I couldn't get over it missing the thumb rests. Didn't think I'd like the thumb rests that much until I started slipping when turning with one hand (I usually eat while driving home from work).

I didn't see anyone answer the question. I use the Lexol leather cleaner. It won't matter if it's pleather or leather. Don't over spray on the alcantara. Spray on the microfiber towel.

does it have any mattifying effect on the wheel? that's really what i'm aiming for.

is this the kit you're referring to? [ame]http://smile.amazon.com/Lexol-907-Leather-Care-Kit/dp/B005H7DRQA/ref=lh_ni_t?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER[/ame]

Gives a matte finish. Sometimes I use a soft paint brush to make it lather (gets more of the oil off for some reason). That's the one but I just went to Walmart to buy it. Oh...I think u know this but don't use the conditioner on the steering wheel.

Yah I got the all leather version. Very high quality and it's real leather. Although the air bag is vinyl so it kind of doesn't match

Technically he didn't ask a question. And the only thing he implied he wanted an answer to was what material the steering wheel is.

You are correct I inferred it from the title and his comment.

I use the mr clean magic eraser. you wet a little and gentle rub and it take all the grease and skin that is making it shinny off. but it usually short lived.

I actually don't know why, is it because it'll make the wheel too slippery?

Do you have a picture? What are you using to maintenance your wheel?

I've read a lot of reports that this is a sure fire way to clean the wheel and get a matte look but then the downside is that it's quite abrasive and after seeing some stock steering wheels with peeling issues, I'm gonna not even give it a try.

It will make it slippery with the conditioner but not the cleaner.

pretty sure its real leather at least according to subaru it is

You got a source for that? Because it sure feels like vinyl to me

Subaru BRZ pamphlet

Wow... It sure feels like plastic to me

Subaru and Scion on their websites both say they're leather wrapped steering wheels

Holy shit. I just used some of this on my original steering wheel:

[ame="http://www.amazon.com/dp/B004UVTF1K/ref=pe_385040_128020140_TE_3p_dp_1"]Amazon.com: Pinnacle 16oz Leather Cleaner/Conditioner: Automotive[/ame]

And it took most of the shine off. I think it actually is leather lol. Well I was wrong

Used it on my shift knob too...sheen is gone. Wow thanks everyone

Guys, genuine leather gets shiny over time as well (source: my mom's BMW). It's just what happens when you touch it everyday with your greasy, grimy hands.

If you want to keep it looking new, just wear gloves when you drive. I wear gloves for a different reason (sweaty hands), but my steering wheel and shift knob are still looking pretty matte after a year.

You can also use some fine abrasive to get rid of the shiny buildup, but know that you're also wearing away the top layer of the material when you do that.

Right, it's just weird that the stock wheel feels so plastic-y while my damd wheel feels like you'd expect leather to feel

Leather comes in varying degrees of quality and grade too, y'know...

Ah, so we got the shit-tier leather. Gotcha

Interesting thread! Real leather? Really? I guess I will have to try some leather cleaner and conditioner on it and see what happens. My steering wheel is super shiny and could use some help.

Here's another thought: Has anyone tried to Plasti-dip their steering wheel yet? That would get rid of the shine for sure. :scared0012:

Eh, my leather cleaner/conditioner ended up not helping much. It's still shiny. Sucks. I'm gonna stick with my damd steering wheel.

I considered trying some vinyl SEM spray paint or plastidip. Maybe I'll buy a used OEM steering wheel to test it on

Ummm....the conditioner has oil. That's why u don't want to use the condioner on the steering wheel. :thumbsup:

Leather will be shiny because it's sealed from the factory, or because the pores are clogged and it's covered in oils and dirt from your hands. It appears that early models of these cars have sealed leather while later ones might not be sealed or if they are, it's matte.

1) Leather is SKIN, treat it as such. It needs to be cleaned. You can use Lexol cleaner or just simple mild soap and warm water with gentle scrubbing. Use a damp rag to rinse and wipe away all the dirt lifted by the scrubbing.

2) Now that it's clean, it needed to be treated. Remember that it's skin? You've just dried it out. Leather conditioner is 100% fine on the steering wheel unless you're using too much. It's like skin lotion, it should be soaking in and not sitting on the surface. Leather conditioner is NOT like crappy Armor All products that are made to make stuff shiny.

3) Leather is classically high maintenance. If it's not taken care of, it will do what your skin would do, crack.

I unwrapped the stock steeringwheel, it's indeed real leather. Can't comment on the quality though.

Yeah I looked at the wrapping near the airbag where the material ends and I can tell it's leather

Do you guys have dirty or oily hands? My wheel still has the factory matte look, the only thing thats on my hands when I drive is skin lotion

No