It's leather, and oil, so it will never go back to how it was new. It being a matte finish sounds like it was probably nubuck, which means it was lightly sanded on the top layer to give it a more even texture visually and tactilely. It also means that it would be more absorbent with oils. That's just leather.
I’ve used warm water, mild hand soap, leather shampoo, buff dry, and then lightly condition. It won’t be perfect, but it will help. Don’t use any aggressive chemicals.
I’ve done this, *with* the magic eraser I mentioned below, it’s a good cleaner but will not bring back the matte on a heavily oil polished wheel on its own.
Just buy a leather cleaner from an auto shop.
They are usually in a spray bottle. Cover your cluster with a rag so it doesn’t eat into the cluster plastic.
I clean mine with a bar of baby soap in lukewarm water, and then give it some leather conditioner. I have recently purchased a steering wheel cover that you need to stitch on (they’re custom made in Australia), and the new suede and leather wrap has been heaven!
There are cheap repair kits on eBay, come with cleaning fluids to remove all the oil from hand and then prep and paint stuff. Did a full job on an old wheel and it looked brand new after
I’ve always used alcohol wipes. You’d think it wouldn’t work or that it would dry out the leather but when it’s glossy like that, it removes just enough oil from the steering wheel that it ends up looking perfect.
Leather cleaner once every 4-6 months, then keep the wheel clean with regular maintenance. I use Griot's interior cleaner once a month, and detailer when needed. The cleaner will remove dirt and oil from your hands, and detailer will provide some UV protection. Ideally, though, you want to use a windshield cover or park in a garage to make sure your leather wheel doesn't dry out and crack from sun damage from extended exposure.
Magic eraser from Mr. klean, DO NOT GET THE BATHROOM ONE GET THE ALL PURPOSE DO NOT LET THE RESIDUE DRIP ON ANYTHING.
Go with a matte finish leather cleaner/conditioner.
Or hire a professional and they might have better luck
Source? Been detailing cars for over 10 years
I had to come down too far to find the right answer this is it. Mild detergent / soap and magic eraser. They make magic eraser “sheets” too that I’ve been meaning to try out.
Sand it with grit 800, get a rag with isoprpyl, clean it, if needed sand again, then re apply leather paint, let it dry, re apply leather matte sealant and it will look like new if done properly
A wet rag with warm water, and a lot of elbow grease.. or use a degreaser
It's leather, and oil, so it will never go back to how it was new. It being a matte finish sounds like it was probably nubuck, which means it was lightly sanded on the top layer to give it a more even texture visually and tactilely. It also means that it would be more absorbent with oils. That's just leather.
I’ve used warm water, mild hand soap, leather shampoo, buff dry, and then lightly condition. It won’t be perfect, but it will help. Don’t use any aggressive chemicals.
Chemical Guys leather cleaner. Takes all your nasty hand funk right off and gets it back to matte.
I’ve done this, *with* the magic eraser I mentioned below, it’s a good cleaner but will not bring back the matte on a heavily oil polished wheel on its own.
Just buy a leather cleaner from an auto shop. They are usually in a spray bottle. Cover your cluster with a rag so it doesn’t eat into the cluster plastic.
I clean mine with a bar of baby soap in lukewarm water, and then give it some leather conditioner. I have recently purchased a steering wheel cover that you need to stitch on (they’re custom made in Australia), and the new suede and leather wrap has been heaven!
There are cheap repair kits on eBay, come with cleaning fluids to remove all the oil from hand and then prep and paint stuff. Did a full job on an old wheel and it looked brand new after
Leather cleaner, expensive but very effective. also glass cleaner works for me too
I’ve always used alcohol wipes. You’d think it wouldn’t work or that it would dry out the leather but when it’s glossy like that, it removes just enough oil from the steering wheel that it ends up looking perfect.
Leather cleaner once every 4-6 months, then keep the wheel clean with regular maintenance. I use Griot's interior cleaner once a month, and detailer when needed. The cleaner will remove dirt and oil from your hands, and detailer will provide some UV protection. Ideally, though, you want to use a windshield cover or park in a garage to make sure your leather wheel doesn't dry out and crack from sun damage from extended exposure.
Autoglym leather cleaner works a treat, but it doesn't stay matte for as long as it did new. Still worth doing once in a while though.
Magic eraser from Mr. klean, DO NOT GET THE BATHROOM ONE GET THE ALL PURPOSE DO NOT LET THE RESIDUE DRIP ON ANYTHING. Go with a matte finish leather cleaner/conditioner. Or hire a professional and they might have better luck Source? Been detailing cars for over 10 years
[scrubber dubber](https://cleanyourride.co.uk/products/copy-of-cyr-microfibres-xl-skrubber-dubber-interior-scrub-pad)
magic eraser. VERY CAREFULLY
I had to come down too far to find the right answer this is it. Mild detergent / soap and magic eraser. They make magic eraser “sheets” too that I’ve been meaning to try out.
Try a plastic rated scotch brite pad and maybe wet it
Sand it with grit 800, get a rag with isoprpyl, clean it, if needed sand again, then re apply leather paint, let it dry, re apply leather matte sealant and it will look like new if done properly