Steering wheel care
A leather steering wheel and gearshift knob are the leather parts in the car that require the most care.
The steering wheel and gearshift knob are used most extensively. Hands sweat and give off oils that absorb in the pores of the leather wrapped around the steering wheel. The biggest enemies of a steering wheel are fuel particles, (especially diesel fuel) that may accidentally get on the steering wheel after re-filling of the tank.
The leather covering of the steering wheel oxidises, its paint layer starts peeling off and the surface of the leather becomes sticky. All this can be avoided with regular cleaning of the leather.
In case the surface of the steering wheel becomes shiny, it is the first sign that a cleaning and maintenance job has to be planned. Unfortunately there is no product that would make the leather look like new but in case using care products does not give the desired result, a steering wheel can always be refreshed by painting or by covering it with new leather.
Important! In case the surface of the leather wheel becomes sticky and during cleaning paint stains appear on the cleaning cloth, we recommend using immediately products that remove oil from the leather and a special cream that makes it more comfortable.
The most important points of leather cleaning:
- In principle you should start with the safest care products to avoid possible leather damages caused by strong chemical agents. In case cleaning with a mild product does not give the desired results, take only a small quantity of stronger agent but certainly not the strongest one in the range.
- Before starting cleaning investigate which is the best product for removing the dirt when considering with the properties of the leather – is the surface of the leather with opened or closed pores (smooth). Has the dirt penetrated deep in the leather or are the spots only on the surface. May be these are just oil spots or simply any other dirt.
- Each cleaning agent should be first tried in the place of a leather item, which is not immediately visible. And even if you are convinced that that everything is fine, you should still start with cleaning a smaller area, which should thereafter be immediately dried with a hair drier set on a cold regime. In case spots will remain on the surface or the cleaning agent reacts unexpectedly with leather you should consult with an expert.
- In case the surface of the leather absorbs water, use only a small quantity of water to clean it. Apply the cleaning agent and water carefully evenly on the surface to avoid forming of stains and spots.
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