# Black stuff from steering wheel

**URL:** <https://community.cartalk.com/t/black-stuff-from-steering-wheel/37745>\
**Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\
**Tags:** steering, ford, wheels, f150\
**Created:** [October 7, 2009, 4:36pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/black-stuff-from-steering-wheel/37745 "2009-10-07T16:36:03Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 5\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![stranger1911](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/94ad74/32.png) [@stranger1911](https://community.cartalk.com/u/stranger1911)\
**Post date:** [October 7, 2009, 4:36pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/black-stuff-from-steering-wheel/37745/1 "2009-10-07T16:36:03Z")

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Hey, I recently purchased a 77 F150…first day I drove it, dark and stormy day, amongst other problems I faced in the first few miles was the black smudge-sludge on my hands from gripping the steering wheel…what can I do to prevent this while retaining the original equipment, and what exactly caused it? Thanks, Michael from Dover NH

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**Author:** ![mcparadise](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/mcparadise/32/32_2.png) [@mcparadise](https://community.cartalk.com/u/mcparadise)\
**Post date:** [October 7, 2009, 5:28pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/black-stuff-from-steering-wheel/37745/2 "2009-10-07T17:28:36Z")

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It’s probably just 32 years of accumulated dirt on the steering wheel. Damp weather makes it more noticeable.

I’d try cleaning the steering wheel with something like Simple Green, or a similar cleaner.

You’ll be amazed at how much grime is stuck on there.

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**Author:** ![oldschool](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/e19adc/32.png) [@oldschool](https://community.cartalk.com/u/oldschool)\
**Post date:** [October 7, 2009, 5:39pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/black-stuff-from-steering-wheel/37745/3 "2009-10-07T17:39:51Z")

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This is lube for the nut holding (on) the steering wheel,you dont want to drive without this lube :0)

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**Author:** ![ken\_green](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/ken_green/32/816_2.png) [@ken\_green](https://community.cartalk.com/u/ken_green)\
**Post date:** [October 7, 2009, 5:49pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/black-stuff-from-steering-wheel/37745/4 "2009-10-07T17:49:27Z")

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Yes, just clean it.  
I get this from my own 1992 truck, but not all the time.  
Here in the dry southwest you don’t notice the gradual build up form your hand’s sweat and grime…until a high humidity day. Same circumstance as yours.

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**Author:** ![Triedaq](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/65b543/32.png) [@Triedaq](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Triedaq)\
**Post date:** [October 7, 2009, 8:29pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/black-stuff-from-steering-wheel/37745/5 "2009-10-07T20:29:43Z")

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I don’t know if they are still made, but a steering wheel cover would solve this problem. These covers had an elastic band and went around the rim of the steering wheel. Usually they were made from a cloth fabric, and came in different colors and even leopard skin designs. You might check J.C. Whitney’s on-line catalog to see if these covers are still available.