sticky gsx wheel

Discussion in 'The Bench' started by charlierogers, Jul 5, 2020.

  1. charlierogers

    charlierogers GSX stage 1 4 speed #149

    good morning, the steering wheel on my gsx has the dreaded sticky condition. i have tried cleaning it a couple times without any good results. i had a 79 z/28 a few years ago with the 4 spoke sport wheel that was grungy/dirty and like touching a glue trap. could not get that to clean up after several cleaning attempts until someone told me to run it thru the dishwasher set to pots and pans {hi heat}. it came out of that dish washer literally like a brand new wheel! color was bright + no stickiness whatsoever and stayed that way. dishwater did no harm that i could see or feel. was wondering if anybody has tried this trick with the gs sport wheel? i do not want to take the chance with my rare/ hard to get {expensive} gsx wheel.
    charlie,,,
     
  2. Stage 2 iron

    Stage 2 iron 480 IRON HEAD STAGE 2

    What did you use to try and clean it ?
     
  3. LARRY70GS

    LARRY70GS a.k.a. "THE WIZARD" Staff Member

  4. hugger

    hugger Well-Known Member

    Alchohol
     
  5. charlierogers

    charlierogers GSX stage 1 4 speed #149

    dawn soap and warm water, then simple green, then 409, no luck
     
  6. BuickV8Mike

    BuickV8Mike SD Buick Fan

    Soak it in full strength simple green overnight
     
  7. Dano

    Dano Platinum Level Contributor

    Never heard of the DW trick. The otherwise beautiful wheel in my '71 is sticky. I might have to try if no one else does it first (of course not as difficult to replace as yours). Would rather try it on a lesser wheel - Only other one I have is quite possibly the biggest POS wheel I think I've seen and of course it's not sticky:).

    On my old GSX, the wheel wasn't sticky when I got it but the interior was dirty/moldy & I cleaned the wheel w/SG and maybe it was just coincidence, but right afterwards it became sticky. This was 35 years ago and I've hardly, if ever used the stuff since. As I got older, of my paranoias (not sure if I had it beforehand) is using the wrong chemicals on something.
     
  8. Duane

    Duane Member

    The "oils" are coming out of the wheel and it is also probably getting harder as well. That is what happens, I mean it is 50 years old.

    You can clean it up and remove the "stickyness" but it will return and you will have to clean it again.

    This happens to all the sport wheels regardless of type, due to the material they used.
    Duane
     
  9. charlierogers

    charlierogers GSX stage 1 4 speed #149

    i am really surprised at how well it has aged actually! just thought if the dishwasher trick would work and not harm the wheel i would not mind doing that once a season. here in chicagoland area we get ALOT of humidity which makes the sticky thing worse. if dano does not try the DW trick, i will by a used sticky regular sport wheel and try it out myself. or i would not be against paying for 1/2 of someone else,s wheel if they try it out.
    charlie,,,
     
    Dano likes this.
  10. Duane

    Duane Member

    Let us know if it works. I have a 16" original 69-70 blue sport wheel in my 69 car that gets sticky over time.
    Duane
     
    Dano likes this.
  11. charlierogers

    charlierogers GSX stage 1 4 speed #149

    you got it
     
  12. hugger

    hugger Well-Known Member

    All you have to is wipe it with alchohol,....done mine a few days ago,...
     
  13. Duane

    Duane Member

    The only alcohol I have in the house is Rum. Do you think that would work?

    Why's the rum gone?
    Duane
     
    Last edited: Jul 5, 2020
    71GSX, BYoung and yachtsmanbill like this.
  14. 69hellcat

    69hellcat Well-Known Member

    I use laquer thinner once a driving season on mine for many years now. Just be careful not to get it on any vinyl or plastic surfaces.
     
  15. yachtsmanbill

    yachtsmanbill Well-Known Member


    Captain Morgan 101? GOOD STUFF! ws
     
  16. hugger

    hugger Well-Known Member

    Probably would need to be Everclear or Appalachian Shine,..if you go that route

    But I've used thinner more times than i count too,...won't hurt a thing
     
  17. efogs400

    efogs400 Platinum Level Contributor

    Took my car out after sitting for a few weeks yesterday, ended up having the sticky goo all over my hand from the wheel, never this bad. Wiped it down with Simple Green, seemed to work.
     
  18. LARRY70GS

    LARRY70GS a.k.a. "THE WIZARD" Staff Member

  19. BYoung

    BYoung Stage me

    I've used lacquer thinner. Works for about a month or so and have to reapply.
     
  20. weim55

    weim55 Well-Known Member

    Back in the 80s used purchase the tri-spoke sport wheels off Skyhawks in the junkyard all the time. STICKY every time! Goop brand hand cleaner worked great to clean ‘em up and remove the “sticky”. Just slime the wheel up real good and let it sit 5 minutes, rinse wipe and go. Still use Goop for hand cleaning but it doesn’t seem as potent as it used to be(?)

    Steve weim55 Colorado
     

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