Magic Eraser for your steering wheel
08-13-2015, 11:58 AM
#1
Three Wheelin'
Thread Starter
Magic Eraser for your steering wheel
Just posting this out there for you guys. This should be a mandatory thing, especially when you buy a pre owned vehicle. I picked up this cleaning technique from a previous car forum.
Basically turns your steering wheel brand new again with that matte look and feel. One full use sponge should do the trick for the steering wheel along with the armrest, e-brake handle, shift knob, and the vinyl door handle.
If you notice, it will now have a shiny coat like Armour all to it from all the years of dead skin, oil, dirt (imagine the mechanic or someone else using it) caked on. That nasty stuff is not supposed to be there and restores all these parts and more. I can honestly say my steering wheel looks like it got an upgrade and it looks much better. The feeling of the wheel in my hand is like getting in a brand new car now. A must do for $2 and 10 minutes of your time.
Basically turns your steering wheel brand new again with that matte look and feel. One full use sponge should do the trick for the steering wheel along with the armrest, e-brake handle, shift knob, and the vinyl door handle.
If you notice, it will now have a shiny coat like Armour all to it from all the years of dead skin, oil, dirt (imagine the mechanic or someone else using it) caked on. That nasty stuff is not supposed to be there and restores all these parts and more. I can honestly say my steering wheel looks like it got an upgrade and it looks much better. The feeling of the wheel in my hand is like getting in a brand new car now. A must do for $2 and 10 minutes of your time.
08-13-2015, 12:04 PM
#2
<p>I would BE VERY CAREFUL WITH Magic Eraser.</p><p>Magic Eraser is ABRASIVE. you are most likely taking off the surface of the seat material, steering wheel material, etc.</p><p>the safer way to clean a used car is a mixture of water and woolite.</p><p>this will clean any dirt, dead skin, dust, oil that was caked on and will bring back the interior to NEW.</p><p>p.s. Auto Detailers do not use Magic Eraser.</p>
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08-13-2015, 12:27 PM
#4
I would BE VERY CAREFUL WITH Magic Eraser.
Magic Eraser is ABRASIVE. you are most likely taking off the surface of the seat material, steering wheel material, etc.
the safer way to clean a used car is a mixture of water and woolite.
this will clean any dirt, dead skin, dust, oil that was caked on and will bring back the interior to NEW.
p.s. Auto Detailers do not use Magic Eraser.
Magic Eraser is ABRASIVE. you are most likely taking off the surface of the seat material, steering wheel material, etc.
the safer way to clean a used car is a mixture of water and woolite.
this will clean any dirt, dead skin, dust, oil that was caked on and will bring back the interior to NEW.
p.s. Auto Detailers do not use Magic Eraser.
diluted woolite all the way. detailers best friend for interiors.
08-13-2015, 12:29 PM
#5
Three Wheelin'
Thread Starter
It's not steel wool lol. The magic eraser did not damage my upholstery. My steering wheel is brand new again and there is no sign of damage. The steering wheel is made to take alot of stress, it's not going to fall apart with one use of the magic eraser. Don't go crazy with it and use a soft touch and you'll be fine. I can imagine how long you'd be there with soap and water and it will not remove the caked on material. No one on any forum has said their steering wheel got damaged from this. Do a quick google seach for "Magic Eraser steering wheel" if you are concerned.
08-13-2015, 12:32 PM
#6
Registered Bunny
I second justn, magic erase is melamine foam, it's a mild abrasive. Is it going to be terrible if you do it once? Probably not. It's not something you should add to your cleaning routine though, you'll eat through the vinyl and/or leather.
08-13-2015, 12:34 PM
#7
<p>hgahahahhahahahha yo, i didnt even have to go far.</p><p>Google image search for magic eraser and steering wheel turned up with LOTS OF FUCKED UP STEERING WHEELS.</p><p><img src="https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/acurazine.com-vbulletin/1208x1176/80-magic_jpeg_81e3432c52e3d8c7eee7e72c197389a851df806 a.jpg" title="" /><br /><br /> </p>
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08-13-2015, 12:36 PM
#8
Three Wheelin'
Thread Starter
How to make M-steering wheel matte again?
I guess it's a love hate thing. Just be very careful not to overdo it, just enough to get the shiny coat of oil off. Then you can use organic baby shampoo or whatever you prefer to finish it off with, i just used a clean microfibre cloth. Totally worth it to me. I think the people who damaged their leather were probably aggressive and did it for longer than a few minutes.
I guess it's a love hate thing. Just be very careful not to overdo it, just enough to get the shiny coat of oil off. Then you can use organic baby shampoo or whatever you prefer to finish it off with, i just used a clean microfibre cloth. Totally worth it to me. I think the people who damaged their leather were probably aggressive and did it for longer than a few minutes.
08-13-2015, 12:39 PM
#9
How to make M-steering wheel matte again?
I guess it's a love hate thing. Just be very careful not to overdo it, just enough to get the shiny coat of oil off. Then you can use organic baby shampoo or whatever you prefer to finish it off with, i just used a clean microfibre cloth. Totally worth it to me. I think the people who damaged their leather were probably aggressive and did it for longer than a few minutes.
I guess it's a love hate thing. Just be very careful not to overdo it, just enough to get the shiny coat of oil off. Then you can use organic baby shampoo or whatever you prefer to finish it off with, i just used a clean microfibre cloth. Totally worth it to me. I think the people who damaged their leather were probably aggressive and did it for longer than a few minutes.
like polobunny said; it wont mess up your wheel the first time, BUT DO NOT KEEP USING it as a cleaner...
cuz its not a cleaner.
plus, in the thread you linked, its the same in here...people have mixed results...
and considering HOW WEAK OUR interior is, anything that is abrasive will not touch my interior.
again, Auto detailers Dont even use magic eraser. and they can turn a shit interior back to new
08-13-2015, 12:41 PM
#10
Registered Bunny
It probably depends on the state of the leather you're doing it on too. If it's starting to be very thin it's a big risk you're taking. Either way, cool trick for someone with 5 minutes who isn't scared. 
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08-13-2015, 12:48 PM
#15
Registered Bunny
08-13-2015, 12:52 PM
#16
Three Wheelin'
Thread Starter
Or the square root of 25 mins with a light touch of eraser. I'm guessing neither of you did this before. I've done it plenty of times. I can totally picture someone getting excited about how well the caked on crap comes off and goes hardcore on it, leading to nothing left on the leather.
You should sit naked in the car too if you don't want your jeans to abrasively damage the seats.
You should sit naked in the car too if you don't want your jeans to abrasively damage the seats.
08-13-2015, 12:59 PM
#17
Team Owner
Yeah I dunno.. Those pics JS posted seem crazy. Those people must have went to town on their steering wheels. Very light pressure should be ok, however, I've ways just relied on a wet microfibre for cleaning my interior. I guess it's never really gotten all that messy to require anything else.
Although the eraser is abrasive, think how much other abrasive shit goes through your interior. Even having your hands on the wheel day in and day out is abrasive to some degree. 15 year old wheels generally still look fine
I'm sure if you do it once a year, very lightly, you'll be ok. Or just try the woolite.
Although the eraser is abrasive, think how much other abrasive shit goes through your interior. Even having your hands on the wheel day in and day out is abrasive to some degree. 15 year old wheels generally still look fine
I'm sure if you do it once a year, very lightly, you'll be ok. Or just try the woolite.
08-13-2015, 01:00 PM
#18
Or the square root of 25 mins with a light touch of eraser. I'm guessing neither of you did this before. I've done it plenty of times. I can totally picture someone getting excited about how well the caked on crap comes off and goes hardcore on it, leading to nothing left on the leather.
You should sit naked in the car too if you don't want your jeans to abrasively damage the seats.
You should sit naked in the car too if you don't want your jeans to abrasively damage the seats.
and in my first response to your OP, all I did was warn.
saying; be careful. it might wear through interior.
plus, as a detailer, I KNOW to always use the very least aggressive plan of attack FIRST. then step up from there.
that way you dont have holes in your interior or paint from overly aggressive product
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08-13-2015, 01:01 PM
#19
Team Owner
I also hate the white residue the erasers leave behind on walls. I'm sure it's even worse in a black interior.
08-13-2015, 01:06 PM
#20
Registered Bunny
Or the square root of 25 mins with a light touch of eraser. I'm guessing neither of you did this before. I've done it plenty of times. I can totally picture someone getting excited about how well the caked on crap comes off and goes hardcore on it, leading to nothing left on the leather.
You should sit naked in the car too if you don't want your jeans to abrasively damage the seats.
You should sit naked in the car too if you don't want your jeans to abrasively damage the seats.
The leather on the steering wheel of the TL is of better quality than the seats, but I can totally see someone using a magic eraser on the seats and regretting it.
I do however sit naked in the car for other reasons.
Here's how seats can look with a little rubbing and woolite water mix
Yeah I dunno.. Those pics JS posted seem crazy. Those people must have went to town on their steering wheels. Very light pressure should be ok, however, I've ways just relied on a wet microfibre for cleaning my interior. I guess it's never really gotten all that messy to require anything else.
Although the eraser is abrasive, think how much other abrasive shit goes through your interior. Even having your hands on the wheel day in and day out is abrasive to some degree. 15 year old wheels generally still look fine
I'm sure if you do it once a year, very lightly, you'll be ok. Or just try the woolite.
Although the eraser is abrasive, think how much other abrasive shit goes through your interior. Even having your hands on the wheel day in and day out is abrasive to some degree. 15 year old wheels generally still look fine
I'm sure if you do it once a year, very lightly, you'll be ok. Or just try the woolite.
08-13-2015, 01:19 PM
#21
Three Wheelin'
Thread Starter
but you didnt say this in your OP.
and in my first response to your OP, all I did was warn.
saying; be careful. it might wear through interior.
plus, as a detailer, I KNOW to always use the very least aggressive plan of attack FIRST. then step up from there.
that way you dont have holes in your interior or paint from overly aggressive product
and in my first response to your OP, all I did was warn.
saying; be careful. it might wear through interior.
plus, as a detailer, I KNOW to always use the very least aggressive plan of attack FIRST. then step up from there.
that way you dont have holes in your interior or paint from overly aggressive product
You can do a one time magic eraser softly to get the previous owners residues off or use woolite/water and jerk that steering wheel off.
You have 2 options.
08-13-2015, 01:27 PM
#22
Team Owner
Panda is still learning how the Internet works 
08-13-2015, 01:33 PM
#23
Senior Moderator
iTrader: (1)
Thanks for the post Panda but members have been using ME for years on AZ and the same debate happens.
Obviously, use common sense and be very light in the application when using this product because it is like taking a 1500 grit sandpaper to your interior.
Me personally, I wouldn't use it.
Obviously, use common sense and be very light in the application when using this product because it is like taking a 1500 grit sandpaper to your interior.
Me personally, I wouldn't use it.
08-13-2015, 02:02 PM
#24
Moderator
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I only use acetone and 0000 steel wool to clean the soft touch surfaces in my car. It's gnarly AF now, and most people don't like it, but it works for me. Looks like an old basketball left out in the rain. Intact leather/vinyl is overrated IMO.
Basically, different strokes for different folks.
Well, not always. But I did it once and it was a bad idea.
Basically, different strokes for different folks.
Well, not always. But I did it once and it was a bad idea.
Last edited by cu2wagon; 08-13-2015 at 02:04 PM.
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08-13-2015, 02:45 PM
#27
The DVD-A Script Guy
Whoa, and some offense, but calling it "...a mandatory thing..." and "...A must do..." when you are talking about an abrasive sponge on leather is just plain nuts. My wife can completely wreck a steering wheel in about 2 weeks. I think it's residue from hair spray that gets transferred after she pushes hair back with hands. And I've never needed anything other than the mildest of cleaners and a soft towel.
This thread should be locked or even deleted IMO
This thread should be locked or even deleted IMO
08-13-2015, 02:49 PM
#28
Race Director
iTrader: (8)
hey man i use Goo Gone on over a dozen headlight lens to remove butyl that gets on there after doing headlight work, and i read online that Goo Gone eats plastic or something and not to use it on plastic lens. no effects at all, and im sure you guys have seen the countless headlight work ive done over the past 4 years
just to be safe though, switching to something different now (mineral spirits) and not using goo gone
keep doing you
just to be safe though, switching to something different now (mineral spirits) and not using goo gone
keep doing you
Last edited by guitarplayer16; 08-13-2015 at 02:55 PM.
08-13-2015, 03:07 PM
#29
Registered Bunny
Whoa, and some offense, but calling it "...a mandatory thing..." and "...A must do..." when you are talking about an abrasive sponge on leather is just plain nuts. My wife can completely wreck a steering wheel in about 2 weeks. I think it's residue from hair spray that gets transferred after she pushes hair back with hands. And I've never needed anything other than the mildest of cleaners and a soft towel.
This thread should be locked or even deleted IMO
This thread should be locked or even deleted IMO
hey man i use Goo Gone on over a dozen headlight lens to remove butyl that gets on there after doing headlight work, and i read online that Goo Gone eats plastic or something and not to use it on plastic lens. no effects at all, and im sure you guys have seen the countless headlight work ive done over the past 4 years
just to be safe though, switching to something different now (mineral spirits) and not using goo gone
keep doing you
just to be safe though, switching to something different now (mineral spirits) and not using goo gone
keep doing you
08-13-2015, 03:09 PM
#30
Three Wheelin'
Thread Starter
I have never used it twice because my own use never gets it as dirty. A quick wipe around gets the tough stuff out without melting the leather down. No ill effects heres that's for sure and it's quick and easy. The eraser sponge is abrasive, but by no means a sandpaper that is way too exaggerated. If you can't handle a gentle wipe then stick to the soap method. Try out the eraser on a small area and see if it works for you as well. If you get a booboo, it's a car afterall lol
08-13-2015, 03:14 PM
#31
Three Wheelin'
Thread Starter
Whoa, and some offense, but calling it "...a mandatory thing..." and "...A must do..." when you are talking about an abrasive sponge on leather is just plain nuts. My wife can completely wreck a steering wheel in about 2 weeks. I think it's residue from hair spray that gets transferred after she pushes hair back with hands. And I've never needed anything other than the mildest of cleaners and a soft towel.
This thread should be locked or even deleted IMO
This thread should be locked or even deleted IMO
And you are cleaning after her 2 dozen times a year to boot.
Last edited by WDPanda; 08-13-2015 at 03:20 PM.
08-13-2015, 03:55 PM
#32
Race Director
iTrader: (8)
With caps as Justnspace would say:
Google image search for goo gone and headlights turned up with LOTS OF FUCKED UP HEADLIGHTS.
Just sharing my story of how hey, if it works and you're happy, keep doing you and i'll do me
On the subject of leather, I did take the back of a sponge (abrasive side) to the seats due to the recommendation of a member on here because it "allows the suds to build up" with Lexol. No more shiny, oily texture. Looks clean, I'm super happy.
That was in 2012 I believe. Now when I use Lexol I use the sponge side, and no suds build up
Probably won't take the abrasive side to the leather anymore, but mainly because I don't have to after the first time
Last edited by guitarplayer16; 08-13-2015 at 04:09 PM.
08-13-2015, 04:55 PM
#34
The DVD-A Script Guy
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08-13-2015, 05:52 PM
#35
Suzuka Master
a good leather cleaner from Meguairs along with DA attach with brush will get you the same result minus the f***up part. to makes thing better is to borrow someone steam machine to clean the leather.
Before
After
Before
After
08-13-2015, 06:00 PM
#36
08-13-2015, 07:54 PM
#37
Senior Moderator
iTrader: (1)
08-14-2015, 09:39 AM
#39
Three Wheelin'
Thread Starter
You're right. There are a ton of pics messing up their leather. They MUST have took out their road rage on it. I noticed a very very tiny spot at the seems between the sections of my steering wheel showing signs of this, I did go a bit harder on it than I should have :p I can imagine what those guys did. Luckily it's barely noticable and in a hard to see spot and it's not perceivable to the touch. I would avoid the seams if you were to use the ME sponge and finish off with soap/water. The result is worth it to use whatever method to get your steering wheel back to new again. I just forgot about it in the midst of things and had a bit of time this week.
On a side note, anyone use turtle wax jet black on their tires? This stuff is amazing. It's been 3 weeks now and the shine is still there through 3 rainstorms. It MAY be too shiny for some (like me) but it gets less shiny after 2 or 3 weeks. Wheels are always black and looks detailed. Avoid getting this stuff on rims, if you leave it too long it's hard to remove the black coating.
On a side note, anyone use turtle wax jet black on their tires? This stuff is amazing. It's been 3 weeks now and the shine is still there through 3 rainstorms. It MAY be too shiny for some (like me) but it gets less shiny after 2 or 3 weeks. Wheels are always black and looks detailed. Avoid getting this stuff on rims, if you leave it too long it's hard to remove the black coating.
08-14-2015, 02:33 PM
#40
The DVD-A Script Guy
...On a side note, anyone use turtle wax jet black on their tires? This stuff is amazing. It's been 3 weeks now and the shine is still there through 3 rainstorms. It MAY be too shiny for some (like me) but it gets less shiny after 2 or 3 weeks. Wheels are always black and looks detailed. Avoid getting this stuff on rims, if you leave it too long it's hard to remove the black coating.