Steering wheel/dashboard getting sticky in the heat.

[daftpunk]

The steering wheel and dashboard panels of my car has recently starting becoming noticably sticky in the heat, and I am wondering if this problem is exclusive. I started noticing it on one of the hottest days so far, and thought that it might've been some residue, so I gave the entire dash a wipe with a wet rag, and then again with a very mild soapy rag - but the issue hasn't gone away. Touching the wheel at this point, even leaves a sticky residue on my hands.

Is anybody encountering this problem with their FRS/BRZ at all?

[orangeblue]

I don't know how hot it gets where you're at, but I've never had that problem and my car regularly sits outside in 90+ degree heat (32+C for you).

Have you ever used something like Armor All on the interior? That could end up giving you a greasy/sticky residue.

[daftpunk]

No, I haven't used anything more than a damp cloth on the interior prior to this happening. Today I also tried watered down vinegar solution with no luck. Some quick google research states that it's probably the plasticizers in the vinyl rising to the surface due to the heat.

I'm just wondering if there's other people out there with the same issue, to determine whether or not the dealership can do something about it, if it comes to that. It would certainly be the last resort though, since I'm worried about them either not being able to put the car back together properly, or damaging something else in the process..

[J_kennington]

So, what was the temperature of your "hottest day". 40*? 80*? 120*?

[sshole]

I have sticky steering wheel as well. Not sure about the dash being sticky, though. My thoughts on the steering wheel getting sticky were that I use too much hair gel and I'm somehow unable to wash off the excess from my hands, but I've tried cleaning my steering wheel with leather cleaner, a bit of dish washing soap on a damp rag, and Griot's Garage interior cleaner, all to no effect.

At this point, I'm way beyond my 3 year/36,000 mile bumper-to-bumper warranty, so if it really becomes a nuisance, I'll be forced to either replace or cover my steering wheel. I've already got my options planned out (from most to least expensive): Cusco steering wheel, JPM Coachworks cover (+thickness), or Redline Goods cover (+thickness).

[daftpunk]

Not that hot, although Im unsure of the interior temperature at the time.
It was around 32*c (about 90*f).

Originally Posted by J_kennington

So, what was the temperature of your "hottest day". 40*? 80*? 120*?

[andrew20195]

If it were just the steering wheel, I'd ask if you use any kind of lotion on your hands, but I doubt you feel all over the whole dash on a regular basis.

[J_kennington]

Originally Posted by daftpunk

Not that hot, although Im unsure of the interior temperature at the time.
It was around 32*c (about 90*f).

Then I would say you have a problem. Past 2 weeks have been 90+ and I have no problems with my wheel or dash.

[suaveflooder]

My does this as well periodically, and then just goes away. No idea why. I noticed it a couple weeks ago.

[daftpunk]

Strange =( Today`s a cooler day and my dash is no longer that sticky. The wheel, however, is still pretty tacky, and still leaves a sticky residue that`s very hard to wash off my hands. I`ll bring it up to the dealer during my lunch, then maybe try some interior cleaner. Some people have had luck using turtle wax ice interior cleaner to deal with the issue.

[J_kennington]

Originally Posted by daftpunk

Strange =( Today`s a cooler day and my dash is no longer that sticky. The wheel, however, is still pretty tacky, and still leaves a sticky residue that`s very hard to wash off my hands. I`ll bring it up to the dealer during my lunch, then maybe try some interior cleaner. Some people have had luck using turtle wax ice interior cleaner to deal with the issue.

To be honest with you. I'm betting the dealerships interior cleaner is causing it. From what I've read, our interior is actually a very pourous(spell check?) surface. And using armorall or some cleaners will penetrate it. Under heat it would make sense that anything absorbed will rise to the top.

[daftpunk]

Originally Posted by suaveflooder

My does this as well periodically, and then just goes away. No idea why. I noticed it a couple weeks ago.

Is it just your steering wheel that's sticky or your dash as well?
Does it come and go with heating up and cooling?

I just came back from the dealer, but little input from them =(
They wiped down my wheel with some all purpose cleaner, which helped a bit, but still sticky in most areas. The dash wasn't as tacky due to it being cloudy at the moment, so they didn't see any real issues with it.

[ericmpena]

I thought my steering wheel was sticky once. I wiped it off with water on a soft cloth. Didn't help. I just left it alone and 2 days later it was fine.

[suaveflooder]

Originally Posted by daftpunk

Is it just your steering wheel that's sticky or your dash as well?
Does it come and go with heating up and cooling?

I just came back from the dealer, but little input from them =(
They wiped down my wheel with some all purpose cleaner, which helped a bit, but still sticky in most areas. The dash wasn't as tacky due to it being cloudy at the moment, so they didn't see any real issues with it.

I've never felt my dash to be honest. It's always just the steering wheel and it comes and goes. Mostly not there, but every once in awhile, I can feel it still. I used just a damp cloth to clean my interior.