Results 1 to 13 of 13

Thread: Chalky then Greasy Steering Wheel Airbag

  1. #1
    Join Date
    Dec 2017
    Location
    Plainfield Indiana
    Posts
    222
    My Cars
    1999 M Roadster

    Chalky then Greasy Steering Wheel Airbag

    I've looked through the archives and have seen differing responses, all from fairly old threads.

    Wondering if anyone else has this issues and how you deal with it? My airbag, 99 M Roadster, will be chalky until i get it out in the sun, then it gets greasy or oily. I've tried the magic eraser as I've read that may work, didn't seem to clean off the chalkiness and have not tried when it was greasy.

    Anyone have suggestions, it would be appreciated!!!

  2. #2
    Join Date
    May 2002
    Location
    SW Florida
    Posts
    12,681
    My Cars
    99-01 M Cpe & Rdts, X5M
    I keep a micro-fibre towel behind the seat and "buff" the wheel before pulling out of the garage__seems to bypass the greasy in the sun stage that way.

    A plug for the later models, as the cars with two-stage airbags don't do that (04/04 onwards).

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Dec 2017
    Location
    Plainfield Indiana
    Posts
    222
    My Cars
    1999 M Roadster
    Thanks Randy, I'll give that a try, appreciate your response and suggestion!

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Jan 2011
    Location
    Oro Valley, AZ - USA
    Posts
    1,706
    My Cars
    see my signature
    Same issue with my airbag on my '99 M3 as well.

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Jan 2011
    Location
    Kent, Ohio
    Posts
    4,431
    My Cars
    1998 M Roadster
    I have found that a wipe with a damp rag is the best treatment--just water.

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Aug 2018
    Location
    Manistee, MI
    Posts
    3
    My Cars
    1998 Z3M Convertible
    Quote Originally Posted by SteveG66 View Post
    I've looked through the archives and have seen differing responses, all from fairly old threads.

    Wondering if anyone else has this issues and how you deal with it? My airbag, 99 M Roadster, will be chalky until i get it out in the sun, then it gets greasy or oily. I've tried the magic eraser as I've read that may work, didn't seem to clean off the chalkiness and have not tried when it was greasy.

    Anyone have suggestions, it would be appreciated!!!
    Buy a leather cleaner and clean airbag two or three times. Then use a leather conditioner. Problem is solved.

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Jul 2015
    Location
    SoCal
    Posts
    219
    My Cars
    1999 BMW M Coupe
    More detailed [scientific] discussion here: https://www.bimmerforums.com/forum/s...0#post25075140

    Clean towel soaked in hot water, or armor-all is the solution here.

  8. #8
    Join Date
    Jan 2008
    Location
    Fort Worth, TX
    Posts
    3,892
    My Cars
    E36M3/E46M3/E39M5/E63M6
    All of the solutions above are temporary fixes.
    Follow this if you want to fix this once and forever.
    Get some magic erasers, lightly wet one, and carefully scrub the airbag cover for about a minute. Do not press hard, wipe with clean dry cloth to check often.
    Once done, go over with CarPro-Dlux plastic coating. Dries matte. Will never have this issue ever again. Had mine done 5 years ago, still looks the same as day one - nice and matte.
    https://www.amazon.com/CarPro-DLux-P...Pro+Dlux&psc=1
    E36/8 2000 M Coupe Cosmos Black/Black
    Shark, Conforti CAI, B&B Exhaust, H&R, Bilstein, AKG Subframe/Diff, UUC TME Red/Caps, Swapped Front Hats, Ice>Link.
    ================================================== =======================

  9. #9
    Join Date
    Aug 2015
    Location
    Denver, CO
    Posts
    3,444
    My Cars
    1999 Z3M, 1999 2.8 Coupe
    I drove my Roadster to the mountains this weekend with the hot sun on my left for the majority of the trip. The chalky airbag was greasy looking (just one half) after about 20 minutes into the drive. I gotta try the magic eraser treatment now.
    Nathan in Denver

    1999 M Roadster, VFE V3 S/C, Randy Forbes Reinforced, Hardtop, H&R/Bilstein, Apex PS-7, Supersprint
    1999 Z3 2.8 Coupe, Headers, 3.46, Manual Swap, H&R/Koni, M Geometry/Brakes, M54B30 Manifold, Style 42

  10. #10
    Join Date
    Jan 2008
    Location
    Fort Worth, TX
    Posts
    3,892
    My Cars
    E36M3/E46M3/E39M5/E63M6
    Magic eraser alone does nothing. CarPro-Dlux is what keeps the stuff from appearing.
    E36/8 2000 M Coupe Cosmos Black/Black
    Shark, Conforti CAI, B&B Exhaust, H&R, Bilstein, AKG Subframe/Diff, UUC TME Red/Caps, Swapped Front Hats, Ice>Link.
    ================================================== =======================

  11. #11
    Join Date
    Apr 2010
    Location
    Tavernier, Florida
    Posts
    1,791
    My Cars
    '99 2.8&Mcoupe, '03 Mini
    I've had this issue on my '99 for many years. The airbag gets chalky at night, and direct sun makes it shiney/greasy. Never tried the CarPro-Dlux, but have done most of the other remedies that are only temporary.
    -Donny

  12. #12
    Join Date
    Sep 2010
    Location
    PNW
    Posts
    737
    My Cars
    E34 525iT, '99 M Coupe
    Hey Texas,
    I'm going to try your technique. So far all my "fixes" have been temporary, at best. Thanks.

  13. #13
    mherington is offline Passing Gas... BMW CCA Member
    Join Date
    Mar 2009
    Location
    Duluth, GA USA
    Posts
    462
    My Cars
    1999 Z3 M Roadster
    Quote Originally Posted by TexaZ3 View Post
    All of the solutions above are temporary fixes.
    Follow this if you want to fix this once and forever.
    Get some magic erasers, lightly wet one, and carefully scrub the airbag cover for about a minute. Do not press hard, wipe with clean dry cloth to check often.
    Once done, go over with CarPro-Dlux plastic coating. Dries matte. Will never have this issue ever again. Had mine done 5 years ago, still looks the same as day one - nice and matte.
    https://www.amazon.com/CarPro-DLux-P...Pro+Dlux&psc=1
    I’ve used carpro products before with great success, so this is interesting to me. One question, tho: did you use the magic eraser while the cover was cool and chalky, or warm and greasy?

    Thanks!
    M.

Similar Threads

  1. FS: 02 M Coupe Steering wheel + Airbag, Mint Condition.
    By M powered in forum BMW Parts For Sale
    Replies: 4
    Last Post: 10-24-2002, 11:25 PM
  2. 95 M3 steering wheel+airbag FS
    By ialevy in forum BMW Parts For Sale
    Replies: 1
    Last Post: 09-19-2002, 08:44 PM
  3. FS: M3 Steering wheel+airbag $250
    By M Rob in forum BMW Parts For Sale
    Replies: 5
    Last Post: 07-25-2002, 11:16 AM
  4. FS: 4 spoke steering wheel + airbag from my 95 M3
    By jedinite in forum BMW Parts For Sale
    Replies: 5
    Last Post: 06-08-2002, 10:15 PM
  5. Steering wheel airbag removal question
    By fstbmwm3 in forum 1992 - 1999 M3 (E36)
    Replies: 4
    Last Post: 12-10-2001, 04:33 PM

Bookmarks

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •