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      07-10-2018, 02:09 PM   #1
hirkaismyname
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Steering Wheel Restoration to Factory Look + Alcantara

I am looking for a process in which I can restore the f10 m5 steering wheel back to its original, factory, matte feel & look.

All the detailing videos I have seen generally use a leather cleaner & a brush to agitate the leather's pores, and wipe clean. To some extent even steam machines; however, whenever the leather is conditioned (per conventional good detailing) the shine comes right back.

Are there products in the market that leave a steering wheel matte conditioned? Further, any good leather steering wheel cleaning products & methods I may employ for the best results?

Lastly, I am thinking of switching the steering wheel to alcantara M sports steering wheel (the electronic one). How does one go about maintaining/cleaning one of those?

Thank you all!
Best,
H
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      07-17-2018, 11:19 AM   #2
hirkaismyname
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Bump!
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      07-20-2018, 08:45 AM   #3
hirkaismyname
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Lol...please?
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      07-20-2018, 06:36 PM   #4
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Quote:
Originally Posted by hirkaismyname View Post
Lol...please?
Haha.

Bump for you. You need to keep them hands clean. I would be interested in this also, for the future.
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      07-21-2018, 08:51 AM   #5
hirkaismyname
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M5_Brandoe I hear "Leather Masters" from Detailers Domain (website) is a pretty solid cleaner. Further they have a "matte" conditioner that leaves the leather without a shine but with a condition.

I've also researched SwissVax and heard good things about them as well. I'll test it out and keep you posted.

I'm kind of not motivated to clean the leather given that the vehicle is a lease; however, the steering wheel is an absolute MUST. So, I'll be trying both out very soon.

Thanks,
H
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      08-01-2018, 12:37 PM   #6
Lennon997
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Quote:
Originally Posted by hirkaismyname View Post
M5_Brandoe I hear "Leather Masters" from Detailers Domain (website) is a pretty solid cleaner. Further they have a "matte" conditioner that leaves the leather without a shine but with a condition.

I've also researched SwissVax and heard good things about them as well. I'll test it out and keep you posted.

I'm kind of not motivated to clean the leather given that the vehicle is a lease; however, the steering wheel is an absolute MUST. So, I'll be trying both out very soon.

Thanks,
H
lol good to know......even on a lease you wont clean and condition the leather once a year? thats pretty poor.


OP.....

the short answer to your question is you will never get it back to original luster and condition, ever...... You can either replace the wheel with an OEM leather or replace with alcantara or the m performance wheel.

In keeping suede clean, wash your hands before you touch....you can use a coating (think ceramic pro or even a product you would use on suede shoes), spray and let it dry, this will create a barrier.

Also with alcantara/suede, there are specific cleaners made to clean it but IMO and in 10 years of doing this for fun i find that using a terry rag with water cleans the suede the best. You then brush it down to keep it consistent and let it dry.



for your OEM current wheel..... if you can take it out the car do it. leave it (with no electronics and no airbag) in direct sunlight. this will start to open the pores on the leather. Use a good cleaner (i like leatherique pristine clean personally) with new microfiber towels, one to apply and one to wipe.

Let it continue to sit in the sun while it drys out, you can then apply a leather conditioner (as other mentioned ones that leave a matte finish, or a leatherique rejuvinator.
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      08-02-2018, 03:54 PM   #7
hirkaismyname
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Lennon997 broke as ever
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      08-06-2018, 07:24 PM   #8
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So I just bought a 2012 M5 from a BMW dealership and there was some wear or scratches or dirt on the wheel. It was rather rough in some spots. I got the dealer to fix it before I buy and they took it to some local leather repair place. The wheel was actually in not bad shape considering it's age and it had been cleaned or else it would have been more shiny but after the leather repair was finished it, it was practically new. I mean it was completely the right color, and completely matte. The texture I would say is almost identical to a brand new wheel in the showroom. I was shocked. I don't think they replaced the leather because the turn around was same day and it would be probably more expensive. So maybe check around your local dealer and ask if they have a guy that refinishes leather. It is possible.
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      04-12-2019, 05:54 AM   #9
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I am going to revive this thread, as I found an excellent and cheap way. In fact not much beats it....

Use melanin sponges & I used a leather cleaning fluid from The Furniture Co UK, but I am sure you can use any decent brand cleaner here.

Its the sponge that does the work here, its extremely fine pores seem to give the leather a great clean, a litle bit like the exfoliation of your black heads (if you have any) - only the abrasiveness comes from the sponge.

I made just one pass, and the steering wheel was matt again.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Melanin-S...frcectupt=true
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      04-13-2019, 03:48 AM   #10
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I wouldn't want my wheel completely matt so just use cream cleaner restorer.
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      04-14-2019, 01:51 PM   #11
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washing your hands and keeping your hands clean before you touch is not going to keep anything clean.. only wearing gloves will do that if you touch because it's not dirt on your hands it's oil that is secreted from your hands and sweat as well that of course contains oil and salt and that ends up getting on leather and Alcantara and each successive use adds another layer and before you know it in one month you've got a dirty steering wheel no matter what material it is..

if you want to clean alcantara use a spray bottle with just warm water and lightly soak it to get it ready for delicate cloth rubbing and dry it by applying pressure is the least damaging way to clean alcantara. for the light cloth rubbing use a drop of DAWN dish soap in a bowl of warm water and a plush microfiber cloth get some suds worked up on the cloth and delicately wipe the alcantara after it's already wet from the spray bottle. paying attention to keep wiping in one direction don't go back-and-forth or in circles. start from the right and wipe to the left then go back and do it again. you want to wipe all in one direction because you're getting oil and grease so if you swirl or go back-and-forth you're just going to grind it in deeper and smear... . if you have a real dirty spot or a stain use a very soft toothbrush with the dawn water but using a brush and rubbing too much on Alcantara will make it nap/ball up.
go back over it with a rag soaked in only warm water. put towel in your hand and grab the wheel and apply pressure but don't wring. done. let dry.

now if you want to clean and restore leather to new, and yes that means with a matte finish

I've said it before, ill say it again.. Leatherique and Prestine Clean .
-i've used everything, was a big Lexol advocate for years and its ok and safe but nothing compares to leatherique and prestine clean

it is crazy how it works. The prestine clean is also great for just using on a rag to wipe your dash and plastics and everything down. this is used by rolls royce and ferrari collectors.. it is the real thing

-clean your tri-colored stitching with a very soft toothbrush and a drop of Dawn and warm water in a cup. dip and brush gently and repeat and then wipe dry with a microfiber

i'll let my steering wheel do the talking now
(i actually cleaned my threads this morning but havent done anything to the leather for months and only did once)

-and if you lift weights or have rough hands keep your calluses on your palms sanded down because that will ruin your steering wheel faster than anything.
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      06-14-2020, 01:25 PM   #12
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I recently purchased the same Leatherique products and I am happy with the results so far.

My M5’s leather was not stiff or too dirty, so there was no huge transformation when these products were used. I did like that the surfaces did return to a more new-looking matte finish.

But when this stuff was used on my 2002 Jeep Grand Cherokee, the change was very apparent. The Jeep’s leather had become stiff/hard over the past 18 years so I brushed on the Rejuvenator several times as the vehicle sat in sun for two consecutive days. Then, I used the Pristine Cleaner and now the leather feels significantly softer.
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      07-04-2020, 10:25 AM   #13
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Anyone use leather to rewrap it like from mew-art or east detailing?
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      03-21-2022, 11:29 AM   #14
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For alcantara, use Sonax.

https://www.sonaxusa.com/upholstery-...a-cleaner.html
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