How to remove odor from the steering wheel of a 67 Fury?

[edbods]

It's the factory plastic steering wheel, and unfortunately it seems to harbor an awful, awful smell. Actually, it smells like a morbidly obese guy that hasn't showered in a few days (I still remember the time I went near one and I still can't get over how I could smell him from 12 feet away, not exaggerating).

What's a cleaner that can remove this odor for good without requiring pulling off the steering wheel? Would also prefer not replacing the wheel with an aftermarket one.

 

[darth_linux]

Id try a steam cleaner (don’t linger in one spot too long) with something like 409 or Simple Green.

 

[CBODY67]

I didn't realize that hard plastic and metal could absorb odors? Something under the center cap or in the turn signal switch itself (without doing more than taking the center cap off)?

Just some thoughts,
CBODY67

 

[413]

I had cars that did this smelly steering wheel. Only thing that worked was replacing it.
Replace it with a factory wheel.

 

[detmatt]

Off-gassing?

 

[bigmoparjeff]

Probably.

The plastic is breaking down.

The plastic cargo compartment panels on my '72 Monaco wagon are doing this, and ebods is exactly correct, smells just like human BO. Like a smelly old vagrant has been living in the car for months, in the heat of the summer.

I've also seen this on some other plastics, especially certain old screwdrivers that were made in the 1970's. They smell like skunk. Every time you open the toolbox, you get a blast of the terrible odor.


Jeff

 

[bigmoparjeff]

Painting the steering wheel would probably hold in the smell.


Jeff

 

[detmatt]

Probably.

The plastic is breaking down.

The plastic cargo compartment panels on my '72 Monaco wagon are doing this, and ebods is exactly correct, smells just like human BO. Like a smelly old vagrant has been living in the car for months, in the heat of the summer.

I've also seen this on some other plastics, especially certain old screwdrivers that were made in the 1970's. They smell like skunk. Every time you open the toolbox, you get a blast of the terrible odor.


Jeff

I’ve had the same smelly B & E-body plastic interior panels.

 

[Toolmanmike]

Probably Armorall. My woodgrain wheel smells like that. Like spoiled mayonnaise. I haven't found anything to get rid of the smell. It is better after 10 years though.

 

[JC68vert300]

Check out Polyvance.com they sell products to restore classic plastic steering wheels.

 

[73Coupe]

The steering wheel may be made from the same plastic as older screwdrivers. It may be developing "mange".

I read somewhere that the chemical you're smelling is the same chemical that gives off the aroma from vomit.

 

[300rag]

Probably.

...

I've also seen this on some other plastics, especially certain old screwdrivers that were made in the 1970's. They smell like skunk. Every time you open the toolbox, you get a blast of the terrible odor.


Jeff

Yup. My old Craftsman nut driver set is just like that.

 

[edbods]

Oh man. Are there any reproductions? Hopefully they use different materials so it doesn't smell so awful. Otherwise I might just put up with it...at least now I know the smell isn't from the previous owner...

 

[3175375]

Just drive faster!

 

[57fury440]

I had one on a 1957 Plymouth 4 door hardtop that had some cracks and that smell. to me it smelled like vomit. I sanded the wheel down and filled in the cracks. After sanding it most of the smell was gone. I primed it and painted it with epoxy enamel. I had the car as a daily driver for almost 10 years and the smell never came through the paint.

 

[Toolmanmike]

Oh man. Are there any reproductions? Hopefully they use different materials so it doesn't smell so awful. Otherwise I might just put up with it...at least now I know the smell isn't from the previous owner...

I have thought of sanding it and spraying it with some satin clear. That should stop it.

 

[edbods]

Yeah I might just sand and paint it then

 

[Mid70's Chrysler Fanatic]

Probably.

The plastic is breaking down.

The plastic cargo compartment panels on my '72 Monaco wagon are doing this, and ebods is exactly correct, smells just like human BO. Like a smelly old vagrant has been living in the car for months, in the heat of the summer.

I've also seen this on some other plastics, especially certain old screwdrivers that were made in the 1970's. They smell like skunk. Every time you open the toolbox, you get a blast of the terrible odor.


Jeff

The steering wheel may be made from the same plastic as older screwdrivers. It may be developing "mange".

I read somewhere that the chemical you're smelling is the same chemical that gives off the aroma from vomit.

Luckily my wagon doesn’t have that smell. That’s an awful lot of plastic so the breakdown must be potent.

My observation is more like vomit than skunk for the screwdrivers.

 

[Old man Utah]

Yep, it's a dreadful smell. Whenever I open my wood chisel box or screwdriver box it's horrendous! It also permeates into all the other plastic stuff and it's hard to get the stink off your hands. Maybe a dose of bleach would help.

 

[edbods]

Hopefully with today's cars the R&D departments learned something from this...lest we get 202X models a few decades from now smelling like BO.