2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission Sticky horn pad on steering wheel!

[DBoyd]

Well, I did a search and didn't find anything on this so here goes, I got the bright idea to clean the horn pad/air bag cover on the steering wheel with alcohol and paper towels. The towels came out BLACK with the plastic residue. Now the pad/cover is sticky to the touch and is a mess. Any ideas on how to fix this or can the cover be replaced?

Thanks for your help.

Don

 

[BTowler]

It may dry out on it's own, give it a little time, but chances are it is ruined. Never use alcohol on vinyl or rubber surfaces.

 

[T-Bone]

Don,



I had the same problem and I was able to fix it by removing the entire button assembly and cleaning it. You can pry the button assembly out of the steering wheel with a small screwdriver. The button is just pushed into the wheel. Go slow and pry by working your way around the outside ring (the part that does not move when you press the button). Once out of the wheel, the wires are just long enough to allow you to work. The button can be separated from the outside ring by depressing the tabs, I think there are 3 tabs. I just cleaned mine with some 409 and put it back together. Sounds complicated, but once you pry out the button assembly it all makes sense.



Good luck,

T-Bone

 

[DBoyd]

What I was refering to was the entire plastic cover over the center of the steering wheel. The circular horn buttons survived the alcohol onslaught just fine. I wasn't so lucky with the plastic cover!! BTowler was right, don't use alcohol on plastic!! Well, live and learn.

Thanks all.

Don

 

[T-Bone]

Hi Don,



My bad. I understand now. I actually did the something similar to my wheel. I hit an only slightly sticky button with some “cleaner”. The thing locked up solid. That’s why I had to take my button apart.



T-Bone

 

[AndyMan]

It's probably not the end of the world. A lot of cleaners have a little alcohol. Since you didn't dillute it with anything, it may have eaten away some of the plastic. I'd start trying to restore it with a scrub brush and some plain 'ol soap and water. Mix the soap and water pretty strong in a small bowl and use an old tooth brush to apply it. Get a big bath towel, climb in the truck, put the towel in your lap under the steering wheel. Put the bowl of soap and water in your lap, dip the toothbrush and start scrubbing. The bowl and the towel should catch most of the water run off. I'd also turn the wheel upside down so water doesn't run into the cruise controls. Once you get it GOOD and CLEAN, rinse it good with a wet terry cloth towel, let it dry (or dry it good with another clean towel) then apply a protectant. I prefer something like "Eagle One Nano Protectant" (you can get it at most auto parts stores). Armor All would probably work too, but I don't care for it as much. Put it on pretty liberally and wipe down with a good terry cloth towel.



Microfiber towels work better than terry cloth, but you will have to buy those (wal-mart, target, autozone, etc. . )



Hope that helps. you should be able to fix it up. I doubt it's destroyed.