Hmmm.. interesting. Never heard of that (your issue or the one in the posted link). I know I've seen deteriorated steering wheels (the grip part) on cars sitting in junk yards and so forth, but never heard of or saw the center air bag section doing the same.

Have you tried some Simple Green on it to see if there is any difference after cleaning?

What interior products have you used on your vehicle when detailing/cleaning it (or if it goes to a Detailer, do you know what they use)?

It does sound like the material is breaking down due to age and possible environmental issues and if so, I'm not sure what will or can stop or remedy that issue, other than replacing the air bag w/ another used unit.

Can you post any pics - or will the affected area not show up in pics?

 

The steering wheel part is perfect and the middle part is definitely a different material. I used some windex type cleaner to try and break down the sticky layer and some seemed to come off but most of it was still left. No detailing or cleaning really, it just sits in the garage for the most part. I could probably get a pic of it and the residue it leaves.

 

I'd clean it with denatured alcohol to get all of the factory dye off of it and then repaint it with a quality interior paint.

 

A completely different image came to mind when I read the title of this thread. Thankfully I don't have to give you the advice that was first provoked.

 

I was convinced I was the only one that had this issue. My car came out of 3 years of storage where I'd left the windows down. In the Florida heat the airbag cover's die has become sticky.

My wife drives the car for the most part, so I haven't had a chance to fix it. But it is the die that has softened, mine is black. I've actually used laquer thinner to remove factory die without damaging the rubber underneath.

Either way, the die needs to be removed, and as mentioned previously, just re-applied and this shouldl fix the issue from what I've observed on mine.

 

I've actually used laquer thinner to remove factory die without damaging the rubber underneath.

That is likely to work much better than alcohol. Quicker at the least.

 

Thanks guys, will try the lacquer thinner tonight :salute: