Leather steering wheel sticks to hand issue
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Aug 2018
Posts: 13
Likes: 4
From: Columbia,SC
2017 E300
Leather steering wheel sticks to hand issue
Recently purchased a 2017 E300 with the Designo beige/saddle nappa leather interior. Problem I'm having is with the leather steering wheel having a sticky feeling after I place my hands on it for a minute or two. Steering wheel is fine upon initial touch (no sticky feeling). First attempt was cleaning with mild soap and water but no change. Next tried cleaning with Lexol leather cleaner followed by their conditioner but no change. Third attempt was cleaning with diluted Woolite solution...again no change. Followed up with Lexol cleaner again but no change. I do not have this issue with my wife's leather steering wheel on her 2016 Kia Sorrento, nor did I have this issue with my previous E350.
Any suggestions/ideas!
Any suggestions/ideas!
Super Member
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 743
Likes: 228
From: Santa Barbara, CA
S550C4, Porsche Cayenne
Recently purchased a 2017 E300 with the Designo beige/saddle nappa leather interior. Problem I'm having is with the leather steering wheel having a sticky feeling after I place my hands on it for a minute or two. Steering wheel is fine upon initial touch (no sticky feeling). First attempt was cleaning with mild soap and water but no change. Next tried cleaning with Lexol leather cleaner followed by their conditioner but no change. Third attempt was cleaning with diluted Woolite solution...again no change. Followed up with Lexol cleaner again but no change. I do not have this issue with my wife's leather steering wheel on her 2016 Kia Sorrento, nor did I have this issue with my previous E350.
Any suggestions/ideas!
Any suggestions/ideas!
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 1,026
Likes: 282
From: Omaha, NE
'16 AMG GTS, '21 AMG GLE53
Side-gig detailer for 12 years chiming in...
Any reasonable-quality leather cleaner should help clear this up. Chemical Guys has a perfectly acceptable leather cleaner and conditioner pair that can be had relatively inexpensively. Apply the cleaner liberally to a MF applicator pad or detailing brush, as well as the steering wheel and agitate longer than you might initially think you should. No squeezing or aggressive pressure yet. Give the wheel one more spritz and scrub with the cleaner. Then with a clean medium/long-pile MF towel, squeeze and twist around the wheel. You can apply a good amount of pressure as you're doing this, especially on the outermost side of the wheel. If you have access, you might also try steam cleaning the surface and following up with a medium pressure MF wipe. Finish with the conditioner, applying liberally and allow to dwell for a minute or two before wiping cleaning with another fresh MF towel.
I can't help but think something else might be afoot considering you've already done three rounds of cleaning. This is hard to mess up, unless either A) something exceptionally caked on, or B) You are the problem, not the steering wheel. Any chance you've changed lotions, hand soap, laundry detergent, etc. or started any medications causing sweaty hands you might be oblivious to?
Any reasonable-quality leather cleaner should help clear this up. Chemical Guys has a perfectly acceptable leather cleaner and conditioner pair that can be had relatively inexpensively. Apply the cleaner liberally to a MF applicator pad or detailing brush, as well as the steering wheel and agitate longer than you might initially think you should. No squeezing or aggressive pressure yet. Give the wheel one more spritz and scrub with the cleaner. Then with a clean medium/long-pile MF towel, squeeze and twist around the wheel. You can apply a good amount of pressure as you're doing this, especially on the outermost side of the wheel. If you have access, you might also try steam cleaning the surface and following up with a medium pressure MF wipe. Finish with the conditioner, applying liberally and allow to dwell for a minute or two before wiping cleaning with another fresh MF towel.
I can't help but think something else might be afoot considering you've already done three rounds of cleaning. This is hard to mess up, unless either A) something exceptionally caked on, or B) You are the problem, not the steering wheel. Any chance you've changed lotions, hand soap, laundry detergent, etc. or started any medications causing sweaty hands you might be oblivious to?
