[DocL]

Originally Posted by BMWCCA1

I thought hair gel was supposed to go on your hair?

You don't rest your head on the headrest while driving?

[John in VA]

Originally Posted by DocL

You don't rest your head on the headrest while driving?

It's a head restraint.

[Nettles]

Originally Posted by DocL

It also works great getting my hair gel off of the headrest.

.

[Navin_Johnson]

Originally Posted by DocL

You don't rest your head on the headrest while driving?

Never.

My head is on a swivel so I'm aware of cars around me. If my head is laid back on the head restraint, the only direction I'm seeing is forward with a bit of peripheral vision. I wear glasses, so I'd see even less by just looking straight. Besides, if my head laid on the restraint, it would put me to sleep because I'd be too relaxed. I'd imagine massaging seats would relax me too much also!

[MADBMWX5MC]

Originally Posted by Hagasan41

I use Swissvax leather Forte and Colourlock Shield. They have a foaming cleaner as well, but I prefer the Swissvax version.

Good idea to start upkeep and maintenance now. I just refinished the wheel on the daily with 58k and couldn’t be happier with the results. Looks and feels and feels new.

Well done there...holy cow. That looks great.

[luckylingy]

Colourlock (mild) leather cleaner plus Colourlock leather brush. I clean the steering wheel whenever I clean the driver's seat (every 7-10 days).

[pdude1]

My initial steering wheel I had bmw replace it when it was under the 4 year maintenance plan. Mine start tearing all over the place. Now just use meguiars leather cleaner and it's been fine. Other parts of my leather did not do so well as I didn't keep up the maintenance as well.

[Wolf 335]

Originally Posted by Navin_Johnson

Never.

My head is on a swivel so I'm aware of cars around me. If my head is laid back on the head restraint, the only direction I'm seeing is forward with a bit of peripheral vision. I wear glasses, so I'd see even less by just looking straight. Besides, if my head laid on the restraint, it would put me to sleep because I'd be too relaxed. I'd imagine massaging seats would relax me too much also!

You're never cruising down an open highway and just let your head rest on the head rest/raint?

[munizfire]

Originally Posted by DocL

Get some Sonax on Amazon and follow the directions. I use it on my alcantara steering wheel and it looks great.

Originally Posted by NYG

Used this on all my alcantara wheels and it's pretty great.

Originally Posted by Nettles

Sonax leather foam for over a decade. I've turned many on to this

Originally Posted by Car-Addicted

Sonax alcantara cleaner and Adam's Mini Cockpit Brush works for me.
the brush is perfect for gentle scrub.

Originally Posted by shimmy23

another sonax alcantara cleaner user here!

Is this what y'all are using?

[JohnnyBeagle]

Originally Posted by Wolf 335

You're never cruising down an open highway and just let your head rest on the head rest/raint?

This is bimmerpost.

Everyone is constantly on track or driving to the limit on canyon roads, zero resting your head allowed.

[tcphoto]

I tried Chemical Guys Leather Cleaner and Conditioner on my refinished wheel and I've been happy with the results.

[SteveYem]

I bought my 2018 F80 in April with 39k miles on the clock. The steering wheel leather had a moderate level of shine. Before applying any type of chemical/cleaner to it, I decided to try using a clean, damp microfiber towel. Damp to the point of barely being able to get any water to precipitate when wringing it out. I hand worked small sections at a time, gently rubbing the microfiber towel across the leather, letting the residual moisture sit for a few seconds, then wiping it off using a second dry microfiber towel. The result was a matte finish on the leather which looks and feels new, except for the various small nicks and scrapes into the surface of the leather which are a separate issue from cleanliness.
Over a month later, the leather still looks and feels matte and new. I will say that I am pretty fastidious about keeping my hands clean before driving the car which certainly helps to keep the wheel from accumulating too much sweat/dirt/grime, and now whenever I notice small areas of 'shine' I repeat my damp microfiber method to freshen it up again.
Meanwhile, I had purchased some high-end leather cleaner two-stage product that remains unopened on the shelf in the garage : )