Chemical Guys Leather Ruined my steering

[kamisn]

I used chemical guys leather cleaner and conditioner solution on my brand new Infiniti for the second time in 4 months to "Protect" the leather and I wish I knew! On the first application few months back did leave some streaking that was wiped away by normal daily use and left actually some slippery feeling on the steering. On the second application after cleaning and applying I felt the opposite, sticky and tacky feeling on the steering, the seats had some streaking and I dried wiped them.

I am thinking the cleaner or the cream must have had some chemical reaction to the leather and caused this mess. Since then I asked this forum for advise in another thread (Link Below) regarding how to remedy this and applied some of the suggestions. My thinking is, could it be because the bottles have been sitting in the garage heat for past couple of months and the chemicals inside changed their property? that's the only thing I can think of from last application to this application plus application temperature was higher this time as I applied over the weekend.

Here is what I did so far to remedy:



I wiped down the steering with solution of very mild dawn and water and then wiped down with just water and dried with MF.
Used Orange bottle Lexol leather cleaner spray, sprayed in MF and wiped down the steering and then damped wiped it again with water and dried with MF towel.


Its been 3-4 days since I cleaned it and the steering now looks exactly how it came out of factory several months ago but still has this sticky/tacky feeling when you hold it in your hands. Honestly I am very bummed and not sure what else to do, as I don't want to put more chemicals on it and mess it up further, also did not want to add more conditioner to it and smear things further.

I am thinking of applying two other methods that may help?! Just like above methods with MF towels either use Woolite 10:1 or 16:1 solution or ONR 2Oz/Gal and do the wipe down process.

I am not sure this is even recoverable. :(

I appreciate any helpful comments here. Thanks.

Semi-Aniline Leather seat treatment (https://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/auto-detailing-101-a/124124-semi-aniline-leather-seat-treatment-2.html)

[FUNX650]

IMO:
If you find that the below Kit can’t
correct this steering wheel problem:

Leather Master Strong Leather Care Kit, strong leather cleaner, Leather Master leather care, leather seat cleaner (https://www.autogeek.net/strong-leather-cleaner-kit.html)

Then there are these two likely solutions:
•Order an OEM steering wheel cover

Or:

http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/500/A6ECCD3D-E4F8-4E34-9038-6ADBBA068747.jpeg


Bob

[kamisn]

IMO:
If you find that the below Kit can’t
correct this steering wheel problem:

Leather Master Strong Leather Care Kit, strong leather cleaner, Leather Master leather care, leather seat cleaner (https://www.autogeek.net/strong-leather-cleaner-kit.html)

Then there are these two likely solutions:
•Order an OEM steering wheel cover

Or:

http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/500/A6ECCD3D-E4F8-4E34-9038-6ADBBA068747.jpeg


Bob

The kit says don't apply to aniline leather, I am not sure mine is semi-aniline also on the steering, however the other day when I went to dealer the regular none semi-aniline infinities had rougher finished steering wheels.

OEM wheel is around $1,500. the Wheelskins may be an option.

Thanks for the information.

[cleanmycorolla]

What are you doing prior to clean the area? how was it applied? were directions followed, lots of variables can lead to user error.

[kamisn]

What are you doing prior to clean the area? how was it applied? were directions followed, lots of variables can lead to user error.

Yes I followed the direction. Sprayed the cleaner bottle to soft MF towel and gently rubbed the steering, then applied small amount of the conditioner cream to the supplied microfiber applicator pad and applied to the steering then lightly and carefully buffed of the excess till it was dry. Believe me I love my car the most and was very careful as I have OCD about these stuff, I even used three different towels for this. I can assure you it wasn't user error caused this.

[Rsurfer]

What are you doing prior to clean the area? how was it applied? were directions followed, lots of variables can lead to user error.

Long time no see!

[DirtyCanuck]

I use CG leather conditioner faithfully in my mobile business. I have used it on countless vehicles with every type of leather including aniline, and it has always performed beautifully. I can not speak for the cleaner because I do not use it.

I have condition quite a few infinity interiors and have never seen this issue. Although, I have not detailed a 2019 yet, so it is possible they’ve done something to the leather.

The steps you have taken to clean it should have removed the conditioner, although I would use a toothbrush and agitate whatever cleaner I was using for much better effect than just wiping with a MF.

I would try cleaning it again and give it a good scrub. If after that you still have the issue then it is in the leather itself. It could even be some kind of grease or something that was on your hands when you where driving there are a lot of variables to consider before blaming the product. I’m not saying that the CG conditioner did not ruin your leather, but it is pretty unlikely.

[mckobe]

They have outgrown themselves. They have more product than any other brand i believe. Most times i think they just use the same product, create a different label and market it. They have a massive following, that those followers will buy all new products they put out and say "it's awesome". They just opened up a shop in my town, and they have more product than a female has heels

[DirtyCanuck]

They have outgrown themselves. They have more product than any other brand i believe. Most times i think they just use the same product, create a different label and market it. They have a massive following, that those followers will buy all new products they put out and say "it's awesome". They just opened up a shop in my town, and they have more product than a female has heels

I believe most of us on this forum are beyond that. I use 2 CG products on a daily basis and that’s because they work well and they are cheap enough to be profitable. I have had no need to try any of their other products so I can’t speak for them. Silk Shine dressing is one of them and is an exceptional product. The leather conditioner is another.

[Mike lambert]

I would call the manufacturer, see what they say. They are certainly not going to buy you a wheel, but may have some suggestions. If they blow you off, wouldn’t be unheard of.

[kamisn]

I use CG leather conditioner faithfully in my mobile business. I have used it on countless vehicles with every type of leather including aniline, and it has always performed beautifully. I can not speak for the cleaner because I do not use it.

I have condition quite a few infinity interiors and have never seen this issue. Although, I have not detailed a 2019 yet, so it is possible they’ve done something to the leather.

The steps you have taken to clean it should have removed the conditioner, although I would use a toothbrush and agitate whatever cleaner I was using for much better effect than just wiping with a MF.

I would try cleaning it again and give it a good scrub. If after that you still have the issue then it is in the leather itself. It could even be some kind of grease or something that was on your hands when you where driving there are a lot of variables to consider before blaming the product. I’m not saying that the CG conditioner did not ruin your leather, but it is pretty unlikely.

I am not sure what caused this, it could have been cleaner that have dissolved some top layer on the steering and conditioner may have smeared the gue all over it. yes you may have not came across one but unfortunately it happened to me and I would do anything to remediate it. as far as cleanness of the hands or grease I don't agree and I needed to mention that the car is only three months old.

I called CG and obviously like any other situations like this as always they never heard of this so they only suggested to clean with APC and apply a conditioner. He mentioned that heat can be a factor but if that's the case why don't they say it on the bottle? I applied it in my garage in 90 degrees.

One other note is that I tried the same process on my lazy boy's armrest, the cleaner actually removed the dye and after conditioner the armrest feels sticky comparing to the other one that is not treated, this to me is a product that has failed.

[kamisn]

I would call the manufacturer, see what they say. They are certainly not going to buy you a wheel, but may have some suggestions. If they blow you off, wouldn’t be unheard of.

I did call them, they basically denied that they ever heard anything like it. Yea I am on my own with a $60K+ car that is ruined with some mediocre product. I should have not trusted their ads and demo youtube video, should have known better.:(

[davidc]

I use this religiously, cleaned up the tacky/sticky feeling and conditions the leather. My steering wheel is 20 years old and still looks new with 100k on the odometer.

67602

[rlmccarty2000]

I try to stay away from any conditioners on my steering wheel, many of them can become sticky when mixed with hand oils and dirt. I do use some AOIs on my seats with ok results. I stick to Connolly’s Leather Cleaner which smells and feels pretty much like Woolite to me for my leather cleaning needs.

Everyone with a leather steering wheel should clean it regularly. You will be surprised at the amount of dirt that you can pull out of the leather pores and it will bring back the “tackiness” that you bought it for in the first place.

[pittpens24]

Please note I have no experience in cleaning and maintaining leather. Just wanted to pass this on as it was very interesting. Came across this video on YouTube a month or so ago. The guy talks alot, but some of this may be what you are experiencing. Hope it helps

YouTube (https://youtu.be/mPAd_vPSwSk)

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