Leatherette steering wheel? Seriously?

[autotragic]

It just seems that they keep making changes to the wrangler and keep cutting things out. It really stinks.

The word you're looking for is decontenting. And it happens at every manufacturer. The first couple of years of a vehicle are the best time to buy it generally speaking because of this reason.

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[YBABRAT]

The word you're looking for is decontenting. And it happens at every manufacturer. The first couple of years of a vehicle are the best time to buy it generally speaking because of this reason.

Especially when options are no longer available as Ala cart... X package deal only gets them with a Rubicon

 

[watchluvr4ever1116]

Is there a way to restore the leather steering wheel to its original look and feel?

I did some research on this and some detailers recommended using a damp magic eraser to restore steering wheels. Whoever owned my 2019 JLUR before me loved Armorall, and the magic eraser worked beautifully at restoring my steering wheel to almost like new condition. If your steering wheel is very dirty you will need to wring out the magic eraser several times and re-wet. I stopped when I stopped seeing dirt and grime transferring to the magic eraser. Wipe down with a dry cloth afterward. After a few days passed I used a leather conditioning wipe on the steering wheel, but not sure it was necessary.

 

[YBABRAT]

I did some research on this and some detailers recommended using a damp magic eraser to restore steering wheels. Whoever owned my 2019 JLUR before me loved Armorall, and the magic eraser worked beautifully at restoring my steering wheel to almost like new condition. If your steering wheel is very dirty you will need to wring out the magic eraser several times and re-wet. I stopped when I stopped seeing dirt and grime transferring to the magic eraser. Wipe down with a dry cloth afterward. After a few days passed I used a leather conditioning wipe on the steering wheel, but not sure it was necessary.

Magic eraser may work on well kept leather but will lift cracked, peeled or just worn coloring of leather. It is not gentle, by comparing my method.

I never would recomend Armor All or any other restoration product not specifically made for leather. I wish they banned it from sale, it does nothing to restore, and after time you wished you never tried it.

 

[Ratbert]

That's what my window sticker says as well. And I'm assuming "leather-wrapped" under options supersedes "premium-wrapped" in the standard equipment section, which I'm guessing is PU/pleather or maybe just rubber and hard plastic?

@LLRubylady , what's yours say?

Not all that crazy about the look and feel of the soft matte texture compared to the last leather steering wheel I had, but honestly don't care too much if it's real or fake, as long as it holds up to normal wear and doesn't look like complete shit a decade from now.

If they say we're paying for leather and it's not then that would be excellent grounds for a lawsuit.

I haven't quite been following this thread. My leather wrapped steering wheel is wrapped in leather. Are people claiming their leather wrapped steering wheels aren't wrapped in leather?

 

[Ratbert]

Use a good cleaner... I prefer Dawn, warm water and a rag to remove oily build up. Let dry and clean with an alcohol wipe and let dry. Use a matte leather sealent to restore the over all look. Once dryed it should feel smooth and not have the slick feel of before.

You use an alcohol wipe on leather? That dries it out, right?

 

[NWJeepr]

OMG no. Just, no.

Steering wheel and seat leather is plasticized in 99.9999% of modern cars. The leather base that Stella uses in the Wrangler is about as nice as what is posted above...basically, rat scrotum. And then they use some kind of polymer/clearcoat to even it all out and give it a uniform appearance, and help it match in texture/appearance the adjoining sections of vinyl.

Particularly crappy coatings develop a sheen over time, either from basically buffing the texture flat through use/abuse, or doing insane things in attempt to clean or restore appearance.

Do not use anything attached to a power tool. No solvents like ALCOHOL, absolutely not. Use nothing more than a terry cloth towel, or soft bristled brush. Pleather responds to cleaning with a pH-neutral soap to remove hand and body oils and it only needs gentle agitation with the towel or soft brush. You don't want to buff the texture, or worse, remove it.

I've had a few cars with cheap leather and I absolutely hate it. But my cleaning ritual was always the same. A wet rag sprayed with just a little bit of saddle soap/leather cleaner (I like Lexol) cleans it up real nice. Go over the steering wheel and other "leather" surfaces. Wipe it down with a damp towel and let it air dry. Done.

No additional product on top. You can't condition plastic other than to make it shine, so save your Armorall, Leather conditioners/oils. Maybe just a little bit of 303 if the surfaces get heavy sun exposure, but that's about it. And never on the steering wheel...gross.

The wet rag with a little ph-neutral soap works really well on soft and hard plastics too. Cuts down any dirt, fallout. You can use it to gently wipe stuff that gets on fabric as well.

 

[YBABRAT]

You use an alcohol wipe on leather? That dries it out, right?

It's just a quick clean wipe down to remove any film left after using Dawn and water. It'd not a soak, and most all leathers are coated, so it never reaches beyond the boundary. When applying the matte leather sealer, you want nothing to affect it's adheason. Alcohol will leave no residue, and is a safe bet to make sure the leather is prepared. There are adhesion promoters but they are not required with already treated leather from sealing.

 

[YBABRAT]

If they say we're paying for leather and it's not then that would be excellent grounds for a lawsuit.

I haven't quite been following this thread. My leather wrapped steering wheel is wrapped in leather. Are people claiming their leather wrapped steering wheels aren't wrapped in leather?

I think from various cleaning the residue build up along with surface wear has made the leather look and feel like smooth rubbery plastic.

 

[YBABRAT]

I think I have my bottle of matte acrylic leather sealant. Most water based leather acrylics will cover pre treated leathers. I have yet to unpack some car stuff from storage. I plan on doing the steering wheel with it. Have done many custom leather recolorizations. With acrylics it's a nono to use anything but soapy water. Modern treated leathers are not so sensitive and can be harshly cleaned, but a quick wipe down with an alcohol wipe is not to clean, but to quickly remove left over film from prior cleaning.

 

[Flip]

I think I have my bottle of matte acrylic leather sealant. Most water based leather acrylics will cover pre treated leathers. I have yet to unpack some car stuff from storage. I plan on doing the steering wheel with it. Have done many custom leather recolorizations. With acrylics it's a nono to use anything but soapy water. Modern treated leathers are not so sensitive and can be harshly cleaned, but a quick wipe down with an alcohol wipe is not to clean, but to quickly remove left over film from prior cleaning.

I use chemical guys leather conditioner/cleaner it works great. It has a real nice leather scent.

 

[roaniecowpony]

Most people wouldn't like real open pore latigo leather for a steering wheel cover. It allows skin oils, burger and fries grease and taco sauce to penetrate it, and eventually, it stinks. I'm cool with my pleather covered steering wheel. Whatever foaming interior cleaner I'm using cleans it nicely. I used to clean my truck's pleather steering wheel with my cowboy boot cream.

 

[YBABRAT]

I use chemical guys leather conditioner/cleaner it works great. It has a real nice leather scent.

I had done Pyramid Leather Conditioner way back. It was a costly option that was no better than saddle soap or or Dawn and water. Nothing will get past the treated leather barrier. So it's just a temporary surface clean and coat. A spray leather sent will do the trick and is cheaper for that leather smell.

Here is a left over bottle of matte sealer finisher. There are other brands and all pretty much do the same. Just follow directions. I think there is enough to do my steering wheel. I may do a before and after before end of day. Will post my images to show the overall look.

 

[Deleted User 38384]

I think he's banned dude.

Yeah, I'm aware of that, just that he would have been helpful here.

 

[Deleted User 38384]

Naugahyde for me. Made from genuine Naugas right here in the USA.

I had to look that one up!

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