Classic cars forum & vehicle restoration.

ukdave2002 · Joined: 23 Nov 2007 Posts: 4107 Location: South Cheshire

I have had a few cars where the steering wheel gets sticky or tacky, especially in damp weather, is it a coating thats worn off? and is there a cure?

peter scott · Joined: 18 Dec 2007 Posts: 7120 Location: Edinburgh

Yes, string!? Wink

Uncle Joe · Guest

What kind of material is the steering wheel made out of? Plastic? Bakelite? Leather? Something else?

Rick · Site Admin Joined: 27 Apr 2005 Posts: 22453 Location: UK

The wheel rim on my A55 is a bit like that too, haven't yet investigated whether it just needs a good clean Confused

R
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Uncle Joe · Guest

I give up....!

Rick · Site Admin Joined: 27 Apr 2005 Posts: 22453 Location: UK

Old-Nail · Joined: 23 Nov 2007 Posts: 853

I had an old VX4/90 back in the late 70's that did this, the wheel became clammy and made my hands dirty in damp weather. Perhaps it is part of the coating decomposing?
I too never really investigated, I just fitted one of those wheel gloves and problem solved.

Phil - Nottingham · Joined: 01 Jan 2008 Posts: 1252 Location: Nottingham

Its the plastic degrading - our S2 land Rovers did it and its a well known malady with old plastic.

The wheel will wear way and crack if left - clean it up with Celly thinners and then coat with Hammerite Smoothrite - 2 coats.

It will last years then and be clean.

Alterativley put a wheel muff on it

They can be rebuilt - Lancaster Spares do them
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buzzy bee · Joined: 23 Nov 2007 Posts: 3382 Location: South Cheshire

Hi

In the ford, I don't notice getting dirty hands, or messy steering wheels, as I allways have dirtier hands!

Thats my solution!

Cheers

Dave

ukdave2002 · Joined: 23 Nov 2007 Posts: 4107 Location: South Cheshire

Uncle Joe · Guest

What I would do in that case is clean it off with lemon juice (PLJ if you can still buy it), flat it off with 280 wet & dry, then use a clear coated 2k over it. Hammerites ok, but the amount of colours is limited.

Incidentally, if you are interested, and want something different, I can tell you how to do a wood effect steering wheel using this method....

Steering wheels such as those made pre war use a different technique due to different materials...

Oh, and odd ones react to cellulose thinners...

Riley Blue · Joined: 18 Jun 2008 Posts: 1750 Location: Derbyshire

Riley RMs are known for 'liquidising steering wheels'. Whenever conditions are right (wrong) the plastic from which their steering wheels are made turns liquid and drips on to the driver's seat leaving a slightly embarassing stain....

This usually happens when conditions are cold and/or damp, for example during over-wintering in a garage. It is due, apparently, to the plastic returning to its original liquid state. I can't recall what the type of 'plastic' is but the only place I've found that can repair it with the original marble pattern in the rim is in Australia.

That's one of the reasons RM owners usually carry a cloth on their parcel shelf, to wipe the steering wheel before driving.

Uncle Joe · Guest

The marbling can, or at least could a while ago, be done here as well. That might just be cheaper than sending it to Australia.