I was cleaning the inside of my 2009 GTI today and using 1z Cockpit Premium. I've used this cleaner many times and never had a problem with it, but I'm noticing some issues with it on my BF's Passat and my car as well. The first issue I noticed was on the Passat. The leather on the steering wheel was already worn through when he got the car, but I noticed when I cleaned it with the Cockpit Premium I was getting black residue on my microfiber towel. At first I just thought it was dirt, but the last time I cleaned the wheel I noticed that the worn spot on the wheel was beginning to spread--the more I rubbed the wheel, the more the leather seemed to wear through. Here's the growing worn spot on the wheel. I pulled a wheel from another Passat at a junkyard to replace this one due to the worn spot, but I don't want to damage it too. If I can't use Cockpit Premium, what should I use? And now back to my GTI. I was getting the same black residue off my leather steering wheel, and I was worried that I might have been stripping the finish off the leather on it too. If I even put a little pressure on the area I was cleaning, the coloring of the leather would change; it would be more greyish. Confirming this is what happened with my gear shifter. My car is a manual, and I spend a lot of time driving around with my hand on the shifter. I started cleaning it, and thought that it was just really dirty...but then I stopped and saw this: You can see the worn through spot on the shift knob. I understand some of the wear comes from normal use, but I can't imagine that it's that much of a contributing factor. I'm not 100% sure if the shift knob has leather on it, but I'm still confused as to why Cockpit Premium would cause the finish to wear off so quickly. I will say that other cleaners may have done this as well, but lately all I've been using on the Passat and the GTI is the Cockpit Premium so I don't really have anything to compare it to. Any thoughts?
I doubt if CP is damaging your steering wheel and gear shift lever. Been using CP for years and never had a problem. Try Sonax dashboard cleaner, it also has a clean matte finish.
dont all volkswagens do that? most of them that i've ever seen either the wheel or door panels are falling apart like that. Even relatively new ones. I doubt cockpit is doing it.
I never use Einszett Cockpit Cleaner to clean leather. Looking at their Product Guide, it doesnt state to use it on leather. It talks about using it on clear and other plastics.. I know, it mentions steering wheels and I always assumed they meant plastic steering wheels, not leather covered steering wheels. Einszett sells a specific leather conditioner called Leather Care. The Leather on steering wheels is very thin, and can be damaged by any cleaner - even a leather cleaner. You need to be careful and only clean gently, watching what you are getting off. I never scrub a Leather covered steering wheel hard. I use a short nap microfiber towel and gently use Zaino Leather Soft Cleaner Z9 to wipe it and dry it carefully. Then I apply something like Spinneybeck leather conditioner or Leather Masters Leather Protection Cream or Leather Vital. Thats it.. Too much attention to this part will kill it as you have now found out. Sorry this had to happen to you. Dan F
Iz CP should not damage finished leather as it is virtually non-abrasive. Steering wheels have an extra coating of protective finish on the already finished or coated leather. Perspiration and dirt are absorbed readily into the dry leather, and combined with the ultra violet (UV-B) radiation of the sun a chemical reaction occurs that degrades the finished leather. All of us have seen this wear on steering wheels A finished leather steering wheel is protected with a urethane clear top coat. UV heat will allow any dirt / grease to become imbedded and the surface becomes more soiled the abrasive dirt / grit produces a shine.and wears away the finish Using leather oil-based conditioners on finished leather may cause delamination from the leather substrate. As the oils will permeate the leather via the stitching or any micro-cracks in the surface, once oil gets between the urethane and the substrate it causes loss of adhesion I would suggest you clean, re-apply pigment (colour) and then a clear protective topcoat TOGWT® Autopia Detailing Wiki Article - “Leather covered steering wheel” - http://www.autopia.org/forum/autopia-detailing-wiki/141670-leather-covered-steering-wheel.html
I agree. I have a cousin that keeps his cars (2) about 5 years and every one of them (5) have some wear on the steering wheel... from 2 BMW, 1 Infiniti and 2 Lexus. He never conditions his leather wheels, keeps his hands on the same area of the wheel and contributes the wear to body acid.
I think you all are right. Volkswagens do seem to wear out pretty quickly in these areas. I think from now on with VW's I'll stick with either a dedicated leather cleaner, or possibly even just warm water, to clean steering wheels and other leather trim pieces.
Exactly what i first thought when I saw these pictures. Their (soft touch) texture is very at holding up. OP I have seen this happen with many VW's.
Like everyone else mentioned ... that's crappy VW leather and not leather damaged by 1Z. The good thing is that you can get OEM replacements fairly cheap on Ebay. I already got a replacement steering wheel and shifter for mine 'cause I know it's going to happen sooner or later.
Yeah, i see a few vws come into the dealership i work at. Even cars like 2010+ GTIs, seen the door panels look like crap and the steering wheel. the wheel in my lexus looks just like that.
It's not really leather though on most cars. It's a coated leather unless it's a high end car where you may find real leather.
I agree with Dan I only use leather cleaners on leather and I don't think it was Cockpit cleaner. When dealing with other people cars not worth using something not meant to use on leather.
Same here. I love 1Z CP but I never use it on Leather, even if it may be same. I use Leather Masters cleaner and add a protection cream. I bought a bunch of the LM strong cleaner wipes for my wife to clean her seats and steering wheel regularly....as we all now how women are with their lotions and make-up.
Yep! Every VW I have seen that is at least a year old starts pealing off mostly the (soft touch stuff)
Thanks for the input everyone. You're right--it's just cheap VW interior parts lol. I've used it on other cars without any issues.
I had a steering wheel recovered due to the leather deteriorating. Significantly less expensive than buying a new steering wheel. http://www.dallassteeringwheel.com/ They did a very good job.
Don't use 1Z CP on leather. The description on the CP bottle says that it can be used on plastics, so use it as intended. Kind regards, Ebbe
Its not the 1Z cockpit premium, its just shitty VW leather on the interior. Been using Cockpit for years and no damages, and yes I do use it on leather surfaces for a light cleaning and wipedown, including seats in between treatments of conditioner (Lederpledge)
I've never had 1z cockpit damage leather, even though I don't really use it on leather. It really isn't mean't for that. If anything you should use 1z deep plastic cleaner for intense cleaning of leather on the wheel. Personally I just use OPC to clean most surfaces. If you need a conditioner and willing to splurge try the 1 2 combo of leatherique, Rej oil and pristine clean.
