*** Car Wash / Valet / Detailing Thread ***

Interesting, the factory colour doesn't tend to come off easily, so perhaps someone has dyed it in the past. You can try and dye it again, but it may be easier to get a Royal Steering Wheels retrim... it'll be nicer too.
This happened to me with my old Cayman, I think the dealer had done it to repair some minor marks and a ring gouge. All came off while cleaning and left a horrible, dull and tacky finish.
Shouldn't be using anything other than warm damp clothes to clean steering wheels, what did they use?
This is the only way I clean leather now and two high-end detailers have told me the same.
 
I've previously used a leather cleaner on the vRS steering wheel with no ill effects, am I likely to ruin my 440i's wheel if I use it rather than water?
 
I've previously used a leather cleaner on the vRS steering wheel with no ill effects, am I likely to ruin my 440i's wheel if I use it rather than water?
I've just gone and bought some Auto Glym leather balm. Thought I'd give that a try.

For my 440i
 
I just use a Dr Leather wipe on the wheel every couple of months, then wipe it down with a damp cloth.

AG Leather Balm is not necessarily good for a steering wheel as it’s going to add a layer of protection to it, which may not be a good thing in terms of stickiness/grip.

AG Leather Cleaner would be better to clean it, but neither of these will fix any discolouration.
 
I just use a Dr Leather wipe on the wheel every couple of months, then wipe it down with a damp cloth.

AG Leather Balm is not necessarily good for a steering wheel as it’s going to add a layer of protection to it, which may not be a good thing in terms of stickiness/grip.

AG Leather Cleaner would be better to clean it, but neither of these will fix any discolouration.
I just used it... more black came off onto my new cloth -.-

I think i need to use some of that cleaner you mentioned and then get some Leather dye. Then apply the protection ontop.

Might actually do this instead (edit... Just ordered it...) I've done a few steering wheel re-trims, so this will be easy to do. I've opted for Red Alecantra top bottom and black nappa on right / left. It's different, but ties in with the red leather interior.

Very cool site, great reviews and some good looking wheels when done:
 
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Autoglym do a combo cleaner and protector pack with applicator pad, the cleaner should be used with a brush, I bought a softtop cleaner brush off CYC ages ago as it's designed for the canvas so that works perfectly. Should be more than ideal!

This is the beading you get afterwards:

AG_beading%5d.gif
 
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I just used it... more black came off onto my new cloth -.-

I think i need to use some of that cleaner you mentioned and then get some Leather dye. Then apply the protection ontop.

Might actually do this instead (edit... Just ordered it...) I've done a few steering wheel re-trims, so this will be easy to do. I've opted for Red Alecantra top bottom and black nappa on right / left. It's different, but ties in with the red leather interior.

Very cool site, great reviews and some good looking wheels when done:

Colourlock.

Get in touch with them with some photos and they’ll find you the right kit to restore it.


Failing that, royal steering wheels.


 
Would be careful with either on a chrome plated exhaust.

Don’t ask how I know :p


Metal polishing soap is great and safer on anything chrome plated.
I've used Asda cheapo pan scourers (£1 for 4 of them) on the metal tips of my exhaust and my motorbike chain, seemed to do the job ok....but i haven't examined the exhaust tips afterwards closely, hope i haven't scratched them.
 
I've used Asda cheapo pan scourers (£1 for 4 of them) on the metal tips of my exhaust and my motorbike chain, seemed to do the job ok....but i haven't examined the exhaust tips afterwards closely, hope i haven't scratched them.

Depends whether it’s steel or chrome plated.


Chrome plating will come off - it did on my S5 when trying to remove the carbon deposits.
 
I use Miror chrome cleaner on bike chrome parts, leather strop too.

Steering wheels wondering if the bmw steering wheels are coated in something V
Had posted I got a lot of black residue off of mine using leathermaster - like diagro said with AGM, so maybe a more sensitive chemical is needed V

not sure that those steering wheel covers wouldn't increase the diameter uncomfortably
 
Depends whether it’s steel or chrome plated.


Chrome plating will come off - it did on my S5 when trying to remove the carbon deposits.
Just googled it, they are stainless steel so should be ok. there's quite a lot of carbon deposit on there (on the very end of the tips where they roll up) so i assume attacking that with a scourer and use a microfiber cloth for the rest.
 
not sure that those steering wheel covers wouldn't increase the diameter uncomfortably
I'm actually a fan of chunky steering wheels. However, supposedly the fabric is super thin, well according to their reviews. I'm excited to give it a try though, some of the examples look really good.
 
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