Highly recommend Mr. Clean Magic Eraser to clean shiny steering wheel
 

Three BMWs, with three leather steering wheels, each with varying degrees of oils absorbed into them. The X5's wheel, in about year 3, started to show some shininess to it. Here it is 11 years, and its reeeeaalllly shiny. I've tried everything over the years; Spinnybeck's cleaner, BMWs, Lexol, Meguiars, bla bla... include them all here ____. The only product that made a remote slight difference was a carpet cleaning product called, "Just in Time", which, I highly recommend for carpets btw. Miracle product there. But even it just 'tinged' the wheel a bit.

Then last month I started searching forums for hints at anything. I found this one below. Mr Clean Magic Eraser. Target. $3.65. Clearly there were some posters going after this, saying don't do it. The OP felt he had nothing to lose (check out the before pics.. oye!), and he went for it. Now check out is 'after' pics.

I was shocked. I went out and bought this product Friday. I just now came in from the garage after having done both the X5 steering wheel and the Z3 Roadster. Both... look brand new. Factory. Not shitting you. They came out just like this other gent's pics. Astonishing. I put some leather conditioner on afterwards. They look just amazing. I also did my shiny impossible to clean for 10 years Z3 vinyl door handles. ... brand new. Not kidding. I did my wifes shined-out black leather seats (Which I had custom done in Nappa leather 8 years ago).. totally like new. Freaking impossible.

Then I researched the product for chemicals (I know.. wrong order TurnAround. Do it before using it!). That's not how it works. Its micro melamine fibers. Basically, is 5 billion grit sand paper. It pulls things like hand oils out of leather.. no problem.

Here's the e46 forum link. Sorry, no pics from my X5 (just got dark here at 5:25 pst), but it doesn't matter. My steering wheels came out exactly like this guys. I have a brand new X again. Very happy camper ;)


M3 Steering Wheel Leather Restore? - E46Fanatics

Great tip...and if anyone is curious...there are some great DIY pics & threads about this product on other BMW forums. I remember this topic on the e38 forum on bimmerboard.com by forum member Buck (approx back in 2008)...so a Google search using the phrase "bimmerboard.com magic eraser Buck"...should pull up one of the threads. :)

Personally I use diluted Optimum Power Clean 10:1 and a horse hair brush, or 1Z Deep Plastic Cleaner (limonene based), both are gentle, effective, and with agitation will make any grime disappear. Use on leather seats and vinyl/plastic door and dash systems as well.

Anyone try the Mr. Clean Magic Eraser on the leather seats?

I just picked up a used E53 3.0i Sport, and while in great shape, I'd like to clean and condition the black leather seats. The seats have minor spots on them..

Any suggestions for cleaning and conditioning the leather seats?

See my tips above. I use diluted OPC or 1Z Deep Plastic Cleaner on my seats to clean, with a soft horsehair brush for agitation. Then I condition with Adam's Leather Conditioner.

I don't use abrasive products although I'm sure Magic Eraser is ok, not for me.

Make sure the seats are leather and not leatherette. Some X came with leatherette seats.

Sorry for the newbie question, but how do I determine if the seats are real leather or leatherette (pleather)? I have real leather in my E46 M3, and my GMC Yukon XL, but the X5 does feel a little different... hmm...

UPDATE: I checked... I have an E53 3.0i with the Sport package, thus real leather (I think)...

If leatherette, best way to clean and condition them is?

^^^Same cleaning methods for leatherette. You can put a leather conditioner on it too if you wanted, as its really a product that treats the plastic top layer, and leatherette seats are vinyl anyways so it will work similarly.

There's a better article on the E46 fanatics forum regarding using using Magic Eraser to clean a steering wheel.

For the language challenged, they have pictures of before and after. Just amazing!!!

M3 Steering Wheel Leather Restore? - E46Fanatics

The Sport package does not mean you have leather seats. Leather condition is really made for real leather since leather is basically a dead animal skin and the conditioner is like a moisturizer for the skin.

Vinyl on the other hand is made from petrochemical material. The chemicals used to make vinyl will eventually out gas and the vinyl will become hard and starts to crack. UV rays will break down the vinyl quicker so the best thing is to not expose the car to the sun if you can avoid it. I use a vinyl protectant for the vinyl seats on my jet boat and jetski.

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