I've had my car for almost 3 years now and the one thing I really liked about it was the leather steering wheel...

Until recently it was extremely black and shiny and ugly, so I started working on cleaning it...I'm slowly getting there...

But SLOWLY! Is there any solution I could use which works excellently without so much effort and thumb/finger blisters???

Hi Mil

I can tell you what I use periodically on a leather chair at home, the arms of which probably suffer in a similar same way. Don't blame me, though, if it's not appropriate for your steering wheel, as I suspect the leather is very thinly stretched on a s/wheel. and thus less robust than my arm chair.

Anyway, I use a very weak solution of ammonia. We can buy it here as a laundry aid (water softener) and I use about a 5ml-10ml per litre of plain warm water. I wear rubber gloves, then gently rub the leather with a soft clean cloth which has been dipped and wrung out.

NB: The fumes are poisonous so do not smell it from the bottle! Also, it brings the dye out of most fabrics, so do not use on upholstery. Also, as a strong chemical, it should not be mixed with any other chemicals.

After that, I apply a leather conditioning cream.

Needless to say, Mil, it is up to you whether you want to try it, in the absence of a better solution (no pun intended).

Best

Mo

I use Zymol leather cleaner for removing dirt and swissol milk for treatment. Buying a bottle of the milk may be a bit overkill though if you only have a leather wheel and not seats.

I've had my car for almost 3 years now and the one thing I really liked about it was the leather steering wheel...

Until recently it was extremely black and shiny and ugly' date=' so I started working on cleaning it...I'm slowly getting there...

But SLOWLY! Is there any solution I could use which works excellently without so much effort and thumb/finger blisters???[/quote']

Auto Express group test.

http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/product_test/61712/leather_cleaners.html

Did mine with some Meguirs Gold last weekend and it's come up a treat Not sure whether it's available where you live though

Chris

You could try a product called Liquid Leather made by Gliptone. They sell a cleaner and a conditioner that also reinstates the smell of of new leather. Available over the internet at www.liquidleather.com

In addition they also sell leather dye called Scuff Master that will cover up any surface cracks in the leather. Furthermore if you need a specific leather colour they can match the dye to any sample you send them.

This may be overkill for a steering wheel but may be of use to someone with a complete leather interior.

Steve

I've tried both the Gliptone gel and the Swissol products. The Gliptone seems to be the better cleaner - better at shifting soiling and less aggressive on the finish.

I used to get customers who came in to get the IKEA leather cleaner. They liked it on the suites and apparently it was very good on car seats too. Not sure about trim right enough. Suppose you have to be carefully and not make th leather too grippy.

As per the autoexpress link posted by AveleyDave i can thoroughly recommend both the Meguiars and AutoGlym:-)

Chris