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73-87 Chevy _ GMC Trucks => Interior & Equipment => Steering Columns => Topic started by: MY1978 on October 08, 2025, 04:45:51 pm
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I have a '78 C10 Silverado with an original steering wheel. It has started doing the sticky thing. I have watched some YouTube videos about cleaning it up, and using a flexible paint (Like SEM) to repaint it and seal it. I was told by an auto pant shop that I also needed to use the SEM sealer and then paint it. I am wondering if anyone has done this. Was it successful. Did it stop the stickiness. Did it start to flake off. I would prefer not to buy an new steering wheel to the cost of $250 if 2 cans of paint and some elbow grease will reward me with good results.
Thanks.
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Put on some gloves, soak a rag in gasoline. Wipe until all the sticky is gone. Nothing will work better. SEM trim black is awesome stuff if it needs a freshen up.
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I use 99% alcohol and rube it a few times. Helped mine no to be sticky.
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Gasoline?? That seems kinda harsh/caustic. Plus the smell makes my head hurt. But I do like the benefit of making my truck go. ;D
What I have done so far is spray it down with Dawn Power wash, let it soak, spray some more and then use a red scrubbing pad to scrub it down. Did that twice. I not is not sticky, but has a whiteish film. I am contemplating trying interior trim detailer. Or I might do what the paint guy suggested and purchase the SEM Tac Free and then spray with SEM flexible paint #15013.
Still contemplating
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Do NOT spray anything over dirt/grime/organic material (read finger oil/sweat)
You need a clean surface first and foremost.
I bought a gallon of Flitz Metal Pre-clean. (best value by cost/ounce) Soaked the wheel in a bath of it, and low and behold! There is actually a groove in the surface of the wheel that I didn't know existed.
Carefully research this product. Very acidic, melts away most crud known to old stuff, including your skin.
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Thanks for the information. The Dawn power wash, and a stiff brush or 2, seemed to clean it up really good. Right now I am going to go the low, less caustic, road right now. I have it cleaned up and will see how long it takes to get sticky again. I may eventually get a wheelskin. The wheel in is excellent shape (minus the stickiness) and I really want to keep the original wheel since the truck is original with the exception of water pump, fuel pump, alternate and radiator. I do believe that heat and humidity are a big part of it. But it is now cooler in Virginia. Although we have constant humidity, it isn't as bad as in the summer. I also keep a truck cover over it and under a carport. Maybe the car cover adds to the problem? Not sure. So, remains to be seen.