Gooey Steering Wheel - Are They All Like That?

[z71se]

I bought a used steering wheel for my '77 C10, but when I took it out of the box I found that it's kinda gooey and not nice to touch. I was wondering if they are usually all like that? Doing a bit of research it seems that gooeyness on the 73-87 steering wheels is more common than not?

[Bandit130]

Yes it is common. Mine was that way when I bought the truck in 2015. I used 99% alcohol and rubbed it down a few times and the stickiness was gone. Some may be worse than others.

[Ziegelsteinfaust]

I used dawn dish soap, and it works for quite awhile.

The plastic is breaking down, and needs deep clean once in awhile.

[z71se]

Awesome info guys, thank you! I was hoping I wouldn't have to get rid of it, since I love the original look.

[notsolo]

Also Gojo with pumice. Worked for me.

[Dead Parrot]

My 75 wheel did that. None of the suggestions I found worked. May have been gooey too long. Many years prior I had installed a wheel wrap because black and OK summer sun = burnt fingers. The only time the goo was an issue was when doing a 1 finger turn or when I wanted to rest a hand on one of the cross members.

Replaced with a wheel off a Blazer.

[Axle]

Pretty common when they've been sitting. My nova (that sits more than it drives these days) I always have to whip out the windex and a rough rag to get the goo off the wheel. I had an old truck wheel that I put in my gmc, had to de-goo it as well, but since I drive the gmc everyday, the gooiness seems to stay away.

[1774btcrew]

Our 1974 z28 that we bought new and has only 21000 original miles gets this way. It has always been stored inside. Just a common thing with GM steering wheels of this type

[ron350]

The only thing that removes the sticky from my 75 steering wheel is 91% isopropyl.

What ever you try on your wheel test it first on the back side of the wheel where it wont show if it turns the black rubber white.

[flashed]

I wipe mine down with Baby Oil , let it sit , then wipe it all back off . Have to wipe it off several times .

[SCOTI]

I've used alcohol or paint-reducer to remove sticky residue from the GM steering wheels. They do require 'upkeep' but it's usually just an annual thing.

[TKCR]

I detail cars, and this it what I use. I get a lot of sticky steering wheels, and I used it on my 86 steering wheel. I eventually went with a smaller wheel, but it never got sticky in the time, after cleaning it. I spray it on, and use the green scotch pad and scrub the wheel. I also use this stuff in the Tornado, as it says on the container. But when using that on the steering wheel, it sprays all over the windshield. So I just use a spray bottle, to keep the spray at a minimum.
I have also gotten repeat customers, with detailing their cars, every year or so. And none of them have had the stickiness return.
And just as the bottle says, it breaks down the proteins. That is actually what causes the stickiness, is the proteins left on the wheel from our hands. It just builds up over time, leaving the sticky residue. Pretty gross, when you think about it.

[SCOTI]

Originally Posted by TKCR

I detail cars, and this it what I use. I get a lot of sticky steering wheels, and I used it on my 86 steering wheel. I eventually went with a smaller wheel, but it never got sticky in the time, after cleaning it. I spray it on, and use the green scotch pad and scrub the wheel. I also use this stuff in the Tornado, as it says on the container. But when using that on the steering wheel, it sprays all over the windshield. So I just use a spray bottle, to keep the spray at a minimum.
I have also gotten repeat customers, with detailing their cars, every year or so. And none of them have had the stickiness return.
And just as the bottle says, it breaks down the proteins. That is actually what causes the stickiness, is the proteins left on the wheel from our hands. It just builds up over time, leaving the sticky residue. Pretty gross, when you think about it.

Exactly.

We have chemicals (caustics) in the food manufacturing industry that if you get it on your hands you have to flush them under cold running water for >15mins. Your skin feels slimy the entire time your removing the chems. It eats away @ the proteins in/on your skin.

[cadillac_al]

I have heard the dishwasher works but I haven't tried it yet.

[catch2otwo]

I have a gooey wheel that also has some cracking and wear in it. Does anyone make a new wheel that doesnt do any of the above?

[TKCR]

Originally Posted by catch2otwo

I have a gooey wheel that also has some cracking and wear in it. Does anyone make a new wheel that doesnt do any of the above?

Any steering wheel will get sticking over time, if it’s never cleaned. Like I said, I detail cars & trucks, and I get those on every make & model.
I have swapped my steering wheel out with a Forever Sharp. I like the smaller wheel personally. I could just never get used to that large wheel.