Stickey vinyl steering wheel

[TomMull]

I'm working on my "other car" a 73 Buick Apollo but I think this question fits better in this category. I'm making progress on the no start wiring issue and have needed my better half to turn the switch while I poke around with the meter. It has not been started in 10+ years. I have the electrical problem solved but my helper will not touch the vinyl covered steering wheel because it's too sticky.
I took it off and washed it with simple green, then coated it with Armor All. Much better but still sticky. The rest of the vinyl is sticky too, particularly the dash.
Any ideas or experience?
Tom

 

[NutmegCT]

Tom - I don't know the cause of your wheel's stickiness, but when I've had that problem on things like old tool handles, electric razor and other small electrics, I just rubbed the sticky surface with talcum powder. Worked great - no stickiness at all.

 

[TomMull]

I never thought of that. I also noticed when I looked on line, that it comes in green; the color of my wheel and dash. I'd only seen the white baby stuff. Thanks. Tom

 

[TR3driver]

I have the same problem,the sticky stuff appears to be mostly deteriorated steering wheel! I finally realized that the colored layer was missing even in areas where I hadn't cleaned yet.

Easy solution for me was a leather cover from Wheelskins. They will do a custom to your measurements for the same price as standard. Look for their ad on eBay to save a couple dollars over their website price.

 

[TomMull]

The leather covers solve lots of issues and would make the old Buick more pleasant to drive. The vinyl is in otherwise good condition, however, and I'm still hoping to find some way to at least slow the deterioration. I guess vinyl was never meant to last 43 years.
Tom

 

[SD Bugeye]

An observation cars primarily driven by women will have issue with steering wheels gear shift and door pull armrest.
hand lotion...breaks down plastic and rots leather.

 

[TomMull]

An observation cars primarily driven by women will have issue with steering wheels gear shift and door pull armrest.
hand lotion...breaks down plastic and rots leather.

My example certainly confirms your observation.
Tom

 

[dklawson]

I bought a car two years ago that had strange deposits on the steering wheel, door frame, and shift lever. Nothing we tried would remove the marks. It turned out to be something related to the cosmetics and lotions the former owner wore.

What worked for me was the use of un-diluted ZEP Purple Industrial cleaner available at Home Depot and Lowes. It is very caustic. Wear gloves. When you are done cleaning the surface you will need to apply something like Armor-All to condition the surface. I have found that this works for removing a lot of plasticizer goo as well so you may want to give it a try. It is much stronger than Simple Green.

Regardless, I like the idea of the leather cover that Randall suggested. That is a great solution for the wheel but obviously won't change anything on the dash.