Steering wheel cleaning - have I f'ed up?

[SMLE]

Hi folks,

Going through this 100 series I recently bought and cleaning the seats with a mild leather cleaner.

I decided to give the steering wheel a little clean as whilst it was very shiny and smooth (and nice to use), it was quite visibly dirty. After a quick scrub with a microfibre cloth it has come up very rough and slightly sticky.

3rd picture shows the top being rough and the lower and sides being shiny (not cleaned).

Any guidance/words of wisdom appreciated on how I can get this back to how it was/not like this!

Thanks!

 

[MechE30]

I dont think that’s coming back to a smooth finish, looks like the leather has degraded. If you're handy at all I recommend the Loncky sew-on steering wheel cover from Amazon. They’re really nice for $60.

 

[Toyoland66]

The finish has come off of the leather, probably not from your cleaning the cleaning just exposed the surface.

I had good luck repainting my wheel with SEM color coat which is a paint made for leather. You have to degrease, sand, and paint but it’s a pretty straight forward process. I removed the wheel to do it.

 

[excessive]

you may want to try polishing / buffing it with this stuff. It has waxes and oils (which is what you removed) in it to recondition leathers.

https://www.amazon.com/Venetian-Shoe-Cream-Ounces-Neutral/dp/B00QKXAGXW/ref=asc_df_B00QKXAGXW/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=693438585112&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=15036071070193708531&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9010525&hvtargid=pla-641795103334&psc=1&mcid=edcbe184dc663eacadc36a93e43dfa2d

 

[hoser]

It can be done but takes some skill. Look for leather seat repair shops in your area. The used car dealer will know. If DIY, I'd certainly remove the steering wheel from the vehicle. Here is a gist of it....

 

[SMLE]

Thank you all, appreciate your insights.

I'm currently weighing up a steering wheel cover to stitch on or a replacement used wheel in good condition.
The Loncky covers don't seem to be readily available over here in the UK on amazon, at least not in the right colour, so I'm going to have to see if I can find a decent alternative, ideally which isn't perforated as I'm more of a smooth finish kinda guy.