Recently I purchased a 2002 F350 7.3L crewcab. The old thing needs some TLC, including removal of a buildup of gradoo from the shift lever and steering wheel, both of which are black plastic. I know there are a lot of board members who detail their own vehicles-what product would you recommend for removing black residue (probably partially consisting of diesel, grease and dirt)? I tried warm soapy water and a microfiber cloth, with very limited success.

If we had a detail shop here, I’d take it to them to be spiffed up.

I’d try a Simple Green solution, and maybe something like a green scouring pad but not too much pressure

Is it grime on the steering wheel and shifter, or is it that the material is physically breaking down from age, heat, and UV exposure. (They can get tacky/gooey over time and start disintegrating.)

If the latter, it's not really something you can scrub off, no matter what chemical you use. Your options are to get covers for them, or you can replace the steering wheel and shifter.

Otherwise, if it's truly just grime, I use Lucas interior detailing spray to keep my car interiors clean. Works well on everyday grime on the steering wheel, but you may need something stronger for old diesel and grease. https://www.lucasoil.com/produ...t-interior-detailer/

I just get some baby wipes and it gets the goo off nicely. Maybe some dude wipes or tub-o-towels also.

I have some Go Jo wet wipes fast towels I use around here when working on stuff. One time used them on my steering wheel and shift knob, worked really well, they work good and are easy to use.

You'd be surprised what Fantastik or Totally Awesome (Dollar General) will do.

The alternative is professional detailing products from Chemical Guys.

Magic Eraser.

quote:

Originally posted by Nismo:
Magic Eraser.

Maybe as a last resort. But using microabrasives like that should be avoided on most surfaces. It'll remove the grime, sure. But it'll also remove layers of the underlying material itself, and generally ends up scuffing surfaces (even if it can't be seen with the naked eye) which renders them even more susceptible to further grime buildup.

quote:

Originally posted by Rightwire:
You'd be surprised what Fantastik or Totally Awesome (Dollar General) will do.

Totally Awesome from Dollar General is a totally awesome cleaner, especially since it's dirt cheap. I use it to clean the white trim and gutters on my house, since it works better than anything else I've found to get those annoying black "tiger stripe" streaks off them.

Just be very careful to follow the recommended dilution ratios. It's quite strong stuff in its concentrated form, and should be heavily diluted for nearly all tasks, or else it can damage surfaces, strip paint, etc.

When nothing else works, I grab one of my wife’s makeup remover face wipes. It usually helps.

Thank you, guys. It’s definitely grime. I’ll try a couple of these ideas.

CRC pro strength degreaser is supposed to be good. Both of my diesels had build up from diesel fuel after filling up and touching the wheel and shifter.

CRC Degreaser

Murphy oil soap.

WD-40, use numbers 1,736 and 1,737 for cleaning the steering wheel and shift knob, respectively.

Number 1,738 is for the turn-lever / windshield wiper stalk.

I use p&S Xpress Interior Cleaner for tasks like that. Get it 90+% with Xpress and soft detailing brush or make-up brush and wrap-up with Xpress and microfiber.

If in a hurry, go to Walmart and pick-up Meguiar's Gold Class Leather & Vinyl Cleaner for 7.27.

Rubbing alcohol and paper towels.

How about a nice steering wheel cover…

Spend the 5 bucks on a can of Tuff Stuff spray cleaner at the auto parts or Dollar Store. It cleans all the goo and all materials. I use a soft bristle brush on interior fabric and a towel to collect the dirt mess. It does a beautiful job and smells good.

quote:

Originally posted by jeffxjet:
I just get some baby wipes and it gets the goo off nicely. Maybe some dude wipes or tub-o-towels also.

^^^^^^^^
This is the way.

The leaching of plasticizers can make these surfaces "sticky", but if someone has their vehicle "detailed" at the local car wash, where the car wash attendants use various dyes and other chemicals to shine and make surfaces appear "new", as these will become sticky and tacky when humidity or perspiration (moisture) from hands.

I encountered this with the steering wheel, when my truck had sat for a period of time, and then I drove it with a high humidity.

All I had at the time was Rain-X window cleaner and a rag. It took a good bit of the Rain -X and elbow grease, but I managed to "cut through" and get about 90% of the crap built up over the years off the steering wheel.

I have had no issues since.

https://tuff-stuff.com/

Inexpensive, readily available, works great, wont hurt the underlying material.

I bought an F250 off with a tan interior. Parts of the steering wheel and interior door handle were blackened with grime. Tuff Stuff cleaned it with no problem.