Cleaning and refreshing worn steering wheels

The steering wheel is the leather component subject to the greatest stress in a vehicle. Whether discolouration, abrasion or scratches: this article shows what you can do yourself and when a professional solution is more sensible.

Why does steering-wheel leather deteriorate so quickly?

Leather on steering wheels is subjected to intensive daily stress. Hand sweat and skin oils continuously penetrate the leather and act aggressively on the colour layer: the leather becomes brittle, the colour softens and rubs off. This is not a quality defect, but a normal wear process that can be substantially slowed with the right care.

Prevention: cleaning and care

Regular cleaning with Colourlock Leather Cleaner mild and subsequent treatment with Colourlock Leather Shield protect the surface and noticeably reduce abrasion from hand oils.

For sticky steering wheels, where hand sweat and oils have already soiled the surface, we also recommend Leather Cleaning Spirit for degreasing. For heavily greased steering wheels, Grease (Fat) Absorber Paste is more effective: allow it to act thoroughly and apply it several times, so that, for example, Leather Fresh adheres well afterwards if refreshing is required.

For very old and dry steering wheels, additionally apply Elephant Leather Preserver after sealing; it makes the leather supple again.

Our recommendations

Repairing colour damage yourself
If the colour is already affected, the leather can be refreshed with our Leather Steering Wheel Set.
Scratches, for example from a ring, are filled with Fluid Leather (liquid leather).
Important:
Leather will not be like new after treatment; expect well-preserved, cared-for leather.

Note:
(Clicking on products adds them to the shopping basket, after which they can be ordered)

Product recommendation

Leather Steering Wheel Set

Contents:

1 x Leather Cleaner mild 100 ml
1 x Leather Shield 100 ml
1 x Leather Fresh 100 ml F034 black
1 x Degreaser/degreaser 100 ml
1 x Elephant Leather Preserver 15 ml
1 x Foamer Bottle
1 x Sanding Pad
2 x Viscose cloth
1 x Cleaning & Application Sponge small (43x43x67mm)
2 x Nitril Gloves

If you would like a colour other than black, please select a colour. A mixing fee of CHF 25.- applies to all special colours (all colours except F001–F046 are special colours).

Please select a colour:

Colourlock Leather Steering Wheel Set

C015251 CHF 54.00

Choose options

Colourlock Greaser Absorber Paste 250 ml

C015734 CHF 42.00

Select Qty

COLOURLOCK Leather Cleaning Spirit UN3295, 225 ml

11018 CHF 15.00

Select Qty

“I also need Fluid Leather” – Please select a colour:

Colourlock Fluid Leather 7 ml

fluid7 from CHF 28.00

Select Qty Colour selection opens before adding to cart.

Colourlock Fluid Leather 20 ml

fluid20 from CHF 48.00

Select Qty Colour selection opens before adding to cart.

If you do not know the name of your interior colour, it is best to contact an authorised dealer of your car brand. Using the chassis number, it is possible to give you the name of your leather (not the code).

When is the workshop the better choice?

For heavily greased steering wheels where self-cleaning no longer works, deep scratches and more serious damage, an assessment by us is sensible. We will tell you honestly whether a repair/recolouring or reupholstering is the better solution. Of course, we will also treat your steering wheel if you do not wish to work on it yourself.