amg steering wheel care
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MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Sep 2013
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'15 T&C & '14 SL63
amg steering wheel care
(Posting here becuse r231 amg forum is a bit of a ghost town and the steering wheels are common parts)
The fake suede... alcantara, dinamica, whatever they're calling it...
There's a pressure ridge along the front surface that is already tying to pack down with the normal skin oils from being used... at which point it will turn into a shiny slippery oily edge along the high ridge line.
How should it be cleaned? Suede cleaner? Magic erasers? a soft toothbrush and carpet cleaner?
What's the magic combo to keep the shiny dirt and oil out and the matte nappy fiber in?
The fake suede... alcantara, dinamica, whatever they're calling it...
There's a pressure ridge along the front surface that is already tying to pack down with the normal skin oils from being used... at which point it will turn into a shiny slippery oily edge along the high ridge line.
How should it be cleaned? Suede cleaner? Magic erasers? a soft toothbrush and carpet cleaner?
What's the magic combo to keep the shiny dirt and oil out and the matte nappy fiber in?
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Joined: Aug 2015
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From: San Francisco, CA
'12 E63 AMG, '04 E46 M3
I've been wiping down with a dampened warm mf towel every time I detail the car. I only saw "fabric cleaner" on detailerimage for example, but haven't tried any productshttp://www.detailedimage.com/Interior-Care-C25/
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2014 E63S; AMS 100 octane ECU dyno tune; EDOK TCU tune; BB intakes; sprintbooster
A very dilute water and hand soap (non fragrance) solution as you need something to emulsify the oils...and I use a microfiber cloth
Junior Member
Joined: Aug 2015
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From: San Francisco, CA
'12 E63 AMG, '04 E46 M3
What are our options when the alcantara on the steering wheel wears out? Do we have to replace the entire wheel? Any way to rejuvenate it? Mine is already starting to wear down looks a bit worn and faded.
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MBWorld Fanatic!
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'15 T&C & '14 SL63
I ended up going with Kiwi suede cleaner from the shoe department. It comes with the plastic bristle brush for restoring the nap.
I sprayed it on one side, scrubbed it up with the plastic brush. But I was concerned that it went on wet and would smell too strong so I sprayed it on a rag and rubbed the other side.
The next morning the smell was gone and the side I scrubbed was noticably cleaner, the nap was fuller and the side I did with the rag, while cleaner, hadn't recovered the full nap. So I used the kiwi on the other side to, and now it is like new.
I personally make it a point to not eat in the car and to not have greasy hands when driving. I think of the white interior and suede wheel as reminders that I will be gentlemanly when in or around this car. lol
e63, are you sure its looking worn, or is the nap just packing down and needs a good cleaning?
I sprayed it on one side, scrubbed it up with the plastic brush. But I was concerned that it went on wet and would smell too strong so I sprayed it on a rag and rubbed the other side.
The next morning the smell was gone and the side I scrubbed was noticably cleaner, the nap was fuller and the side I did with the rag, while cleaner, hadn't recovered the full nap. So I used the kiwi on the other side to, and now it is like new.
I personally make it a point to not eat in the car and to not have greasy hands when driving. I think of the white interior and suede wheel as reminders that I will be gentlemanly when in or around this car. lol
e63, are you sure its looking worn, or is the nap just packing down and needs a good cleaning?
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Junior Member
Joined: Aug 2015
Posts: 37
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From: San Francisco, CA
'12 E63 AMG, '04 E46 M3
I ended up going with Kiwi suede cleaner from the shoe department. It comes with the plastic bristle brush for restoring the nap.
I sprayed it on one side, scrubbed it up with the plastic brush. But I was concerned that it went on wet and would smell too strong so I sprayed it on a rag and rubbed the other side.
The next morning the smell was gone and the side I scrubbed was noticably cleaner, the nap was fuller and the side I did with the rag, while cleaner, hadn't recovered the full nap. So I used the kiwi on the other side to, and now it is like new.
I personally make it a point to not eat in the car and to not have greasy hands when driving. I think of the white interior and suede wheel as reminders that I will be gentlemanly when in or around this car. lol
e63, are you sure its looking worn, or is the nap just packing down and needs a good cleaning?
I sprayed it on one side, scrubbed it up with the plastic brush. But I was concerned that it went on wet and would smell too strong so I sprayed it on a rag and rubbed the other side.
The next morning the smell was gone and the side I scrubbed was noticably cleaner, the nap was fuller and the side I did with the rag, while cleaner, hadn't recovered the full nap. So I used the kiwi on the other side to, and now it is like new.
I personally make it a point to not eat in the car and to not have greasy hands when driving. I think of the white interior and suede wheel as reminders that I will be gentlemanly when in or around this car. lol
e63, are you sure its looking worn, or is the nap just packing down and needs a good cleaning?
to not eating/drinking in the car. Makes me cringe even thinking about food dropping in between the beautiful seats or small crevices.......
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Junior Member
Joined: Aug 2015
Posts: 37
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From: San Francisco, CA
'12 E63 AMG, '04 E46 M3
Update: Neighbor was detailing interior of his gt3 and working on alcantara pieces. Used some of his product (sonax upholstery & alcantara cleaner) and followed the directions. 15 minutes later the alcantara part of my steering wheel is looking like new again. Thanks for all your help
Super Member
Joined: Dec 2011
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From: Edmonton alberta, canada.
Porsche 991 GT3, 2012 cls63 Kleemann K3
(Posting here becuse r231 amg forum is a bit of a ghost town and the steering wheels are common parts)
The fake suede... alcantara, dinamica, whatever they're calling it...
There's a pressure ridge along the front surface that is already tying to pack down with the normal skin oils from being used... at which point it will turn into a shiny slippery oily edge along the high ridge line.
How should it be cleaned? Suede cleaner? Magic erasers? a soft toothbrush and carpet cleaner?
What's the magic combo to keep the shiny dirt and oil out and the matte nappy fiber in?
The fake suede... alcantara, dinamica, whatever they're calling it...
There's a pressure ridge along the front surface that is already tying to pack down with the normal skin oils from being used... at which point it will turn into a shiny slippery oily edge along the high ridge line.
How should it be cleaned? Suede cleaner? Magic erasers? a soft toothbrush and carpet cleaner?
What's the magic combo to keep the shiny dirt and oil out and the matte nappy fiber in?
i find making sure your hands are clean just didnt work for me.. since im always touching my face.. my hands just never stay clean.
this applies for the amg leather too. when i got my 2012 cls this summer , it only had 15000 miles on it. but still the shininess on the steering wheel drove me nuts, so i bought a brand new one off ebay. and had it installed. then wore gloves ever since.
the steering wheel will stay 100% new forever.
i also have a 991 gt3 with the entire steering wheel in alcantara. wore gloves since day one and car now has around 7000 miles and steering wheel still looks like the day i picked up the car.
besides, gloves grip better than skin against an alcantara wheel anyway.
but for cleaning alcantara, definitely dont use mr. clean magic eraser. it dries it out and turns to an ugly lighter shade of grey.
i use magic eraser VERY LIGHTLY on the leather portion...on or 2 swipes....
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e63 p30 estate
Super Member
Joined: Dec 2011
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From: Edmonton alberta, canada.
Porsche 991 GT3, 2012 cls63 Kleemann K3
douchery factor... in a cls63???
its not like you're out there in a convertible with the top down and a yellow sweater around your neck...
And like i said gloves provide better grip against alcantara than bare skin.
But if nothing else it's worth it to me just to keep a $4000 steering wheel looking new.
I also use a seat cover blanket. Seat looks the same as one in the showroom.
I think All this stuff makes a difference for resale. Especially since I rarely keep a car more than 1 to 2 years...
Last edited by mainly; Dec 14, 2015 at 07:31 PM.
Super Member
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 921
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From: Edmonton alberta, canada.
Porsche 991 GT3, 2012 cls63 Kleemann K3
Super Member
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 921
Likes: 14
From: Edmonton alberta, canada.
Porsche 991 GT3, 2012 cls63 Kleemann K3
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FF. W212 E63 M156 non-pano 18" P2 ParkT NightV (gone but will be missed).
I think I'll just from time to time use that Kiwi suede cleaning method as suggested above by nycphotography when the alcantara surface becomes packed down. I eat frequently when driving on the highway, so there are plenty of grease and oil on my hand from various sandwiches, burritoes, and chips. Hey, but I try avoid holding the alcantara section of the wheel when eating. By the way, oil is supposedly good as a moisturizer for leather anyway.
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Joined: Jan 2003
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e63 p30 estate
except alcantara is.. mostly polyesther... 
Super Member
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 921
Likes: 14
From: Edmonton alberta, canada.
Porsche 991 GT3, 2012 cls63 Kleemann K3
that reminds me of that top gear episode where clarkson borrowed James Mays Ferrari and was eating snacks and wiping off his hands on the car window.. lol
sweet jesus , you woudlnt even be allowed in my car man.
