Steering wheel leather cracking

beanbaguk · 03-02-2023, 03:13 PM

The leather on my wheel has started cracking

I’ve been treating it with a lot of leather feed and the area around the crack is literally soaking up the leather cream against the other areas of the wheel so I’m guessing it dried out.

Can anyone offer any suggestions on how to restore the wheel and stop it cracking any further?

ETA, I’ve added two photos. One of the wheel after adding cream liberally and then coming back to it a couple of hours later. The different shade of black isn’t the light. The leather was lighter on that spot. It makes me think it was bone dry and even after two applications of leather cream, it’s still dry and drinking it up.

The next is after wiping it over with a soft, dry microfibre. You can clearly see the cracks in the leather. How do I stop this getting worse? The rest of the wheel is perfect…

beanbaguk · 03-07-2023, 03:27 PM

Anyone?

padresu · 03-07-2023, 08:45 PM

look at leatherique dot com
clan, rejuvenate, coat to avoid friction wear - will outlast you car.

jsf721 · 03-08-2023, 05:29 AM

Mine is doing the same. Sadly bmw said it’s from my rings. I don’t wear rings !

G30 B58 · 03-08-2023, 06:49 AM

Buy and wear some of those kool BMW M-Performance driving gloves while driving.

j/k, don't do that.

beanbaguk · 03-08-2023, 02:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by padresu

look at leatherique dot com
clan, rejuvenate, coat to avoid friction wear - will outlast you car.

Thank you for this. I’ll have to find a similar option in Spain where I live.

I’ve spoken to BMW for advice but they have none and are suggesting a new wheel!!!!!!

Mosaud1998 · 03-10-2023, 08:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by G30 B58

Buy and wear some of those kool BMW M-Performance driving gloves while driving.

j/k, don't do that.

I do that. This way my steering wheel isn't all greasy and shiny

AP · 03-10-2023, 08:45 AM

Yeh the steering wheel leather does need to be looked after
I use a cleaner (can’t recall the name off hand) but that ensure the wheel stays with that Matt finish
Having clean hands also helps a lot

Hate the look of the steering wheel when it gets all shines, just looks awful and is an easy clue as to the cars use

2022M550i · 03-18-2023, 01:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by beanbaguk

The leather on my wheel has started cracking

I’ve been treating it with a lot of leather feed and the area around the crack is literally soaking up the leather cream against the other areas of the wheel so I’m guessing it dried out.

Can anyone offer any suggestions on how to restore the wheel and stop it cracking any further?

ETA, I’ve added two photos. One of the wheel after adding cream liberally and then coming back to it a couple of hours later. The different shade of black isn’t the light. The leather was lighter on that spot. It makes me think it was bone dry and even after two applications of leather cream, it’s still dry and drinking it up.

The next is after wiping it over with a soft, dry microfibre. You can clearly see the cracks in the leather. How do I stop this getting worse? The rest of the wheel is perfect…

What year is your car?….just curious.

Sanjuro1 · 03-20-2023, 03:42 PM

I'd give this a go https://www.colourlock.com/Leather-R...ack/850729-en/

Mike 540 · 03-24-2023, 11:01 AM

I use Colourlock, too. It is a German brand, they make good cleaners and conditioners.

I used it on steering wheel and it works just fine. In the worst case, you can always talk to upholstery guys who can change the entire leather on the wheel. Usually they have good assortment of leathers and colours and it comes way cheaper than changing the wheel.

Tavicu · 04-19-2023, 10:25 AM

Are you sure they are cracking and not scratching?

I have managed to scratch mine in the same location as yours this winter. It's very easy to do it with the zippers from your jacket when you get in/out from the car.

Doctor X · 05-10-2023, 03:20 PM

Same exact thing is happening to my wheel except only on the top section.

I really don't want to replace the wheel (will cost +$500 at the least).

I've been looking into the company Colourlock - that have color specific leathers for BMW.

I haven't seen too many before and afters using this product.

Will most likely order this and track the progress.

03-02-2023, 03:13 PM	#1
beanbaguk Captain 455 Rep 938 Posts Drives: BMW G30 520d M-Sport Join Date: Feb 2015 Location: Costa del Sol iTrader: (0)	The leather on my wheel has started cracking I’ve been treating it with a lot of leather feed and the area around the crack is literally soaking up the leather cream against the other areas of the wheel so I’m guessing it dried out. Can anyone offer any suggestions on how to restore the wheel and stop it cracking any further? ETA, I’ve added two photos. One of the wheel after adding cream liberally and then coming back to it a couple of hours later. The different shade of black isn’t the light. The leather was lighter on that spot. It makes me think it was bone dry and even after two applications of leather cream, it’s still dry and drinking it up. The next is after wiping it over with a soft, dry microfibre. You can clearly see the cracks in the leather. How do I stop this getting worse? The rest of the wheel is perfect… Attached Images __________________ Current car: 2017 BMW G30 520d M-Sport, BMW F46 218d Grand Tourer Previous cars: 1989 BMW E30 316i, 1998 BMW E36 323i Coupe M Sport, 2009 BMW E87 116d, 2013 BMW F31 320d M-Sport
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03-07-2023, 03:27 PM	#2
beanbaguk Captain 455 Rep 938 Posts Drives: BMW G30 520d M-Sport Join Date: Feb 2015 Location: Costa del Sol iTrader: (0)	Anyone? __________________ Current car: 2017 BMW G30 520d M-Sport, BMW F46 218d Grand Tourer Previous cars: 1989 BMW E30 316i, 1998 BMW E36 323i Coupe M Sport, 2009 BMW E87 116d, 2013 BMW F31 320d M-Sport
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03-07-2023, 08:45 PM	#3
padresu Enlisted Member 29 Rep 35 Posts Drives: g30 Join Date: Feb 2022 Location: Tx iTrader: (0)	look at leatherique dot com clan, rejuvenate, coat to avoid friction wear - will outlast you car.
	Appreciate 1 beanbaguk454.50 Quote

03-08-2023, 05:29 AM	#4
jsf721 Captain 1111 Rep 869 Posts Drives: 2019 540i X M Sport Join Date: May 2019 Location: Long Island, NY iTrader: (0)	Mine is doing the same. Sadly bmw said it’s from my rings. I don’t wear rings !
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03-08-2023, 06:49 AM	#5
G30 B58 Pace Car Driver 1548 Rep 3,164 Posts Drives: '22 AW G30 B58 M-Sport Join Date: May 2014 Location: my garage in PA iTrader: (0)	Buy and wear some of those kool BMW M-Performance driving gloves while driving. j/k, don't do that.
	Appreciate 1 NGT25598.00 Quote

03-10-2023, 08:45 AM	#8
AP Major General 2777 Rep 5,090 Posts Drives: G30 M550 Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: UK iTrader: (0)	Yeh the steering wheel leather does need to be looked after I use a cleaner (can’t recall the name off hand) but that ensure the wheel stays with that Matt finish Having clean hands also helps a lot Hate the look of the steering wheel when it gets all shines, just looks awful and is an easy clue as to the cars use
	Appreciate 1 NGT25598.00 Quote

03-20-2023, 03:42 PM	#10
Sanjuro1 Private 76 Rep 66 Posts Drives: 2023 M550i Join Date: Sep 2014 Location: Phoenix, AZ iTrader: (0) Garage List 2023 BMW M550i [9.25]	I'd give this a go https://www.colourlock.com/Leather-R...ack/850729-en/
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03-24-2023, 11:01 AM	#11
Mike 540 Private First Class 37 Rep 161 Posts Drives: BMW 540i xDrive Join Date: Aug 2022 Location: Prague, Czech Republic iTrader: (0)	I use Colourlock, too. It is a German brand, they make good cleaners and conditioners. I used it on steering wheel and it works just fine. In the worst case, you can always talk to upholstery guys who can change the entire leather on the wheel. Usually they have good assortment of leathers and colours and it comes way cheaper than changing the wheel.
	Appreciate 1 Sanjuro176.00 Quote

04-19-2023, 10:25 AM	#12
Tavicu Private 23 Rep 74 Posts Drives: F31 Join Date: Dec 2016 Location: Romania iTrader: (0)	Are you sure they are cracking and not scratching? I have managed to scratch mine in the same location as yours this winter. It's very easy to do it with the zippers from your jacket when you get in/out from the car.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

05-10-2023, 03:20 PM	#13
Doctor X Second Lieutenant 78 Rep 201 Posts Drives: B58 Join Date: Dec 2022 Location: Los Angeles iTrader: (0)	Same exact thing is happening to my wheel except only on the top section. I really don't want to replace the wheel (will cost +$500 at the least). I've been looking into the company Colourlock - that have color specific leathers for BMW. I haven't seen too many before and afters using this product. Will most likely order this and track the progress.
	Appreciate 1 Sanjuro176.00 Quote