Thread: Gummy Chevy Steering Wheel

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I have a Steering from a Monte Carlo that is very gummy. Would there be a method to repair this condition?

Any idea what might have gotten on the wheel, or is it just a combination of residuals left on the wheel from cleaning and stuff??? Might want to try some Prep-Sol (aka wax and grease remover), if you don't do any painting or have any around yourself most any store that sells automotive paints will have it on hand.

The wrap is most likely vinyl though there is a possibility, leather. This is probably dirt, grime and body oils from folks hands. If you or a previous owner were smokers, it will be worse and probably impossible to clean completely. As far as cleaning, try a leather cleaner first and get stronger if necessary. My experience is that you can get much of it off, but it will never come totally clean, leaving residual grime and shiny areas near the spokes where people hook their fingers.

If it's leather it may be outside contaminates as Dave W mentions, but if it's a vinyl wrapped wheel then my bet is that the outer surface of the vinyl has been worn through, and you're into the substrate layers, including glues and resins that bind it together. My old truck got like that - I could clean it up nice, but in a few days it was feeling gummy again, especially in the summer. The only "cure" was to install a cover on the wheel. A nice leather wrap that laces in place might be the ticket? If not, then I'd say you're shopping for an aftermarket wheel, or an OEM/Repop.