[beanbaguk]

My M Sport steering wheel on my F31 is beginning to shine through use.

Is there anyway to restore it back (or get close to), the original matt finish?

I've read a few tips on other forums, but they sound very aggressive on the leather and I'm reluctant to try them out.

What products should I use so I don't damage the leather and remove any protection it may have?

[spuntyb]

Originally Posted by beanbaguk

My M Sport steering wheel on my F31 is beginning to shine through use.

Is there anyway to restore it back (or get close to), the original matt finish?

I've read a few tips on other forums, but they sound very aggressive on the leather and I'm reluctant to try them out.

What products should I use so I don't damage the leather and remove any protection it may have?

Typically this shine is from buildup of products and constant wear (friction).

Something like Leather Master or a foam cleaner and agitation with a brush will remove most of that shiny buildup. May take several steps over the course of a week or so, but should get it back into shape.

[madmortar]

+ 1 in for results and opinions

[AWM440i]

So from what I have learned the shiny look comes from things like oil and dirt in your hands building up on the leather. There are specific detailing brushes for the inside of your car and leather itself. Get one of those and then something like the chemical guys leather cleaner and also a conditioner. Then simply spray the brush with the leather cleaner and work the product onto the steering wheel and essentially do little swirl scrubs along everything you with to clean and wipe clean with a microfiber towel. Repeat this step until the microfiber comes out clean, and with the scrubbing just be gentle with the pressure and let the bristle do the wok. Then when you're done wipe off all the cleaner and with another microfiber apply the leather conditioner to ensure your leather stays healthy and moisturized not dry and simply wipe off excess. This process will work with all leather and keep it nice and clean and supple if done enough. I typically do it every 3-6 months.

[Torque of the Devil]

Leather is coated and painted, it's a fallacy any products you use are actually penetrating the leather unless it's raw untreated leather which it never is in a car.

[rolltidef32]

Originally Posted by Vanguard

Leather is coated and painted, it's a fallacy any products you use are actually penetrating the leather unless it's raw untreated leather which it never is in a car.

That isn't true man. Coatings aren't shields that last forever. Sort of like the coating on your phone screen that wipes off over time or like the paint clear coat that can be worn off if a car isn't regularly cleaned or stays out in the elements.

The coating on your leather seats gets worn from your ass scraping it every day while you drive. It isn't impenetrable.

Cleaning and conditioning your leather is the same as Washing, polishing, and waxing your car. You do this to preserve the clear coat and paint. Same technique for preserving your leather.

[visualexstasy]

Can lexol leather cleaner and conditioner be used with the sponges it came with?

[oolas3]

I use a small steam cleaner with a micro fiber cloth and leather cleaner. The steam helps pull the dirt and oils out of the leather. After it is all dry, I then use leather masters as a final coat.

[mitch625]

I have found using a very small amount of TarX (tar remover) on a microfibre cloth works wonders on the wheel! Brings back the smooth matte finish.

[anom3]

Although not related to steering wheels...

I just did my drivers seat... I decided this time to go with... drum roll... a microfiber reasonably wet with very hot water.

Wonderful results, I think from this point forward I am just going to stick with hot water.

The first few rounds, the water I was squeezing out was quite dirty.

Originally Posted by Vanguard

Leather is coated and painted, it's a fallacy any products you use are actually penetrating the leather unless it's raw untreated leather which it never is in a car.

[ill250]

Thought I'll try using TarX since I had some leftover and it worked! My steering wheel went from shiny to matte finish

[evdok]

This is great,https://www.furnitureclinic.co.uk/Leather_Degreaser.php it pulls out all the crap from leather, websites products are the best i've used....trust me on this as i have WHITE merino leather & is a nightmare to maintain.

[spuntyb]

Originally Posted by anom3

Although not related to steering wheels...

I just did my drivers seat... I decided this time to go with... drum roll... a microfiber reasonably wet with very hot water.

Wonderful results, I think from this point forward I am just going to stick with hot water.

The first few rounds, the water I was squeezing out was quite dirty.

Not surprising. As with other detailing jobs, the trick is not what you use, but the technique. For leather, any technique that allows you to agitate the dirt, lift it, and then remove it should work just fine. This could be leather cleaner and a brush, hot water and a MF towel, or something else, but they all work.

The next trick is figuring out how dirty your leather gets and the frequency of cleanings necessary. If you're just using hot water and a towel, and you drive daily, then once a week should work, for example. Ymmv though.

[BIMMERGUY91]

I use heavily diluted APC and a boars hair brush to scrub the wheel down. Then I wipe it off with a warm damp microfiber towel followed by a dry microfiber towel. Don't go crazy scrubbing it's not necessary and could damage the finish. Apply a your choice of leather conditioner. Comes out perfect and matte every time.