Steering wheels and climate

[71CHEVYSHORTBED402]

Just a few observations....

Wheel in pic 1 is off my truck. DRY Climate: It has a few hairline cracks, and there's separation in three places (top and below each side of handle). The separation is where the "joints" are located. Interesting how the made these. The wheel "case" looks like 5 pieces counting center. Since 1989 anyway, this wheel has spent 99% of it's life parked in the garage (140K).

Wheel in pic 2 is from Ohio. HUMID Climate: No cracks or separation. The grain is better but the wheel duller than the other, especially along the perimeter. That has me stumped. Perhaps more exposure to the sun, but I'm guessing humidity or even using the wrong item to clean it. Apparently this wheel has been in storage for 20-30 years. It's new to me and I like it a lot. The sheen can be replenished. I hear you can even sand to perfect. Hopefully it doesn't go into climate shock and begin cracking. Nothing like having to choose the better of two cracks ha!.