White marks on steering wheel
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 24
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2007 Mercedes C280 4matic
White marks on steering wheel
I bought a supposedly new old stock black steering wheel and there is a white cloudy substance on the vinyl in the grooves of the texture on the back of the steering wheel. Seller claims they buy new old stock at auction sold by Mercedes directly. I tried washing it off with dawn soap and water, but it made it worse. I ended up using a leather cleaner and conditioner that worked, but I am concerned it will come back as it wears off. Any idea what the white substance is? Could the vinyl have dried out sitting in a box for 12 years? My current steering wheel does not have this problem. Wondering if I should return it rather than have to keep conditioning. Also not sure if it is actually new as it did not come in a Mercedes box and was dirty internally. Any thoughts on whether it is new or just reupholstered?
Last edited by Guernz; Mar 20, 2025 at 10:55 PM.
Super Member
Joined: Dec 2018
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From: Washington, DC
2007 S600, 2007 Chrysler 300 SRT8, 2000 C5 Corvette, 2017 Mustang GT, 2023 300C, and a 2019 Lincoln
Hard to tell for sure without a pix. Could be mildew if the product was stored in a humid location. Be careful, but if it is mildew, find a small spot and use bleach or watered down bleach. That will kill the mildew and it should not return. The worry is the bleach might attack the leather so that is the reason for just trying a spot first. If it doesn't affect the color or texture of the leather, do the whole wheel with the bleach or watered down bleach. Then leather conditioner.
I did this on my son's Mustang. His steering wheel leather/vinyl and seat belts were growing some really ugly mildew and the bleach did the trick.
Keep us posted.
I did this on my son's Mustang. His steering wheel leather/vinyl and seat belts were growing some really ugly mildew and the bleach did the trick.
Keep us posted.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jan 2024
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From: DFW
SL63
I will not let an accused thread killer shoulder any more guilt. So I must support the request for pictures.
As they say, pictures or it didn’t happen. Although without pictures, it could have happened if you have the T-shirt or coffee mug.
As they say, pictures or it didn’t happen. Although without pictures, it could have happened if you have the T-shirt or coffee mug.
