Properly cleaning the steering wheel & Degreasing – perfect preparation for repair

A greasy or slippery steering wheel This is caused by skin oils, hand cream, etc. In this guide, you will learn how to properly clean your leather steering wheel, thoroughly degrease it, and optimally prepare it for repair or color restoration – for a matte, grippy, and long-lasting result.

A clean, grease-free steering wheel is the The foundation for any successful leather repairIf this step is omitted or performed incorrectly, neither the paint nor the sealant will adhere permanently later.

Therefore, proper cleaning and degreasing is the most important factor for a OEM-matte, abrasion-resistant and durable result.

Why is thorough degreasing so important?

• Skin oils do not allow the paint to stick
• Hand cream provides shine and a smooth, slippery feel
• sweat attacks the old sealant
• Oily residues lead to staining
• Dust + dirt prevent even color application

Many users are surprised that the steering wheel shines again after dyeing – in 90% of cases, the reason is insufficient degreasing.

Clean steering wheel & Degreasing – The professional guide

🔹 Step 1: Initial cleaning

Use a leather cleaner. Apply it to a cloth and remove coarse dirt, dust, and residue.

🔹 Step 2: Deep cleaning

Clean the leather in a circular motion with a slightly damp microfiber cloth. This opens the pores, allowing the leather to absorb the degreaser more effectively.

🔹 Step 3: Degreasing (most important step!)

Apply the degreaser to a clean cloth and work it over the steering wheel in strips. In our experience, the degreaser is usually sufficient, as the steering wheel is often not dirty but simply needs to be degreased.

• Do not spray directly onto the leather.
• always work in small areas
• Repeat several times until no residue is visible.

🔹 Step 4: Let it dry

The steering wheel is needed 3–5 minutes Allow to air dry completely. Only then is the leather ready for dye or liquid leather.

Common cleaning mistakes & Degreasing (please avoid!)

• ❌ Using baby oil or home remedies → makes everything worse
• ❌ Do not remove paint residues beforehand
• ❌ Spray degreaser directly onto the leather.
• ❌ Overlooked greasy residues
• ❌ Insufficient drying time

Note: The more thoroughly the leather is degreased, the more perfect the repair result will be.

How can I tell if the steering wheel is completely degreased?

• The leather looks frosted
• The surface feels grippy to
• No shiny areas are visible anymore.
• The cloth stays clean when rubbing.

Suitable for all car brands

• BMW • Audi • Mercedes • VW • Porsche
• Opel • Ford • Skoda • Seat • Volvo
• Jaguar • Lexus • Toyota • and many more