I love the black leather Dino steering wheel that is on my 944 S.

I want to put it on my 914.

So I got a tan Dino steering wheel to go in my 944 S that has a tan interior.

One problem - I can find no solvent to remove the adhesive from the new tan steering wheel. It had clear plastic protecting the chrome which pulled off easily. But I can find no solvent to dissolve the adhesive that held the clear plastic on.

I have tried gasoline, strong carb cleaner, brake cleaner, acetone, lacquer thinner, WD-40,
Seafoam, and even Super Glue Remover.

I can't take the nice wheel out of the 944 S until the new one can go in.

HELP. Looking for advice on a solvent that will dissolve this adhesive.

Pics below - many thanks to all suggestions.

GN

Tried Goof Off? Or Goo Gone? They seem to be a mixture of several solvents, maybe something in them will work.

Another member found the orange citrus hand cleaner worked well on ancient back pad glue in the 914.

Might be worth a try...

Jeff -

My BAD. Yes I did. Didn't touch it. Forgot to add that to my list.

GN

Great idea!

Have some on hand - will try it!

Thanks!

GN

Denatured alcohol? Lighter fluid? Acetone? The hotter the solvent the more risky it can be for collateral damage.

Have had good luck with Xylol or Xylene, one in the same. Home Depot has it. Really good also for removing tar and undercoating without damage to the paint.

Acetone did'nt touch it.

The Citris seemed to cut it some, but now much - but the pumice in the cleaner didn't do the chrome any favors......

Dawn dishsoap seemed to cut it some but not without tons of scrubbing & elbow grease.

But still wouldn't get it all off...

I use naphtha to dissolve glue.

3M Adhesive Remover.

(adhesive remover is right in the name. )

I’ve used lighter fluid with success. Good luck finding an answer.

You have exhausted the non-polar solvent approach. Perhaps something like rubbing alcohol or denatured ethanol will do the trick. Not sure about the underlying aluminum, but ammonia might also work. Lately I have found that a single edge razor blade held perpendicular to the surface can make a pretty controllable scraper blade. Good luck! I like your choice of steering wheel.

Toluene is a good chemical to clean adhesives. You can also try heat from a heat
Gun. Slowly heat the area and be careful not to damage anything. Most glues and epoxies will breakdown with heat.

If it were me, I would contact seller and/or manufacturer and see what they recommend or exchange/refund it.

That’s unacceptable to have an adhesive like that on a show surface.

First thing I did was ask seller - he was clueless.

Thanks to all for the suggestions.

Pumice in the Orange/citrus cleaner scratched the chrome - my bad again.

Slowly coming off with Dawn dish soap, but not all will come off even with tons of hard rubbing.....

GN

Might I find this at Advance Auto or Autozone?

Thanks!

GN

Sorry bout the pumice!

Often times heat can help.

Now, don't use so much heat it jacks with the leather/padding.


I've used adhesive remover many times as well.

Not sure if you've tried alcohol yet, probably won't help (because of the stronger stuff you've already tried) but cannot hurt.

I use GALLONS of the stuff, but it is more for flushing stronger chemicals out of an AC system then actual trash.

Alcohol evaporates leaving nothing behind. I call it "medically clean".

https://www.amazon.com/3M-03618-Adhesive-Re...z/dp/B000BQYA7W

3m makes commercial body shop adhesive remover. You could also use lacquer thinner if all else fails!

Small amount of gasoline, on a rag, avoiding the soft surfaces.

One more vote for "lighter fuel" not lighter fluid. You might even have it in your cupboard already. I'd try it first before stepping up to the 3M.
Mike
Click to view attachment

If the old adhesive is still sticky, you might be able to pull it off with duct tape. BTDT.

It's available on Amazon in a couple of different sizes.

Is it truly chrome? Or polished metal?
Maybe abandon the chemical approach and try a mechanical one.

Extremely fine steel wool (or crumpled foil) could work if chrome?

If polished metal (clear-coated or not) - should be easy to be more aggressive, then bring the finish back to life? Rubbing compound, polish etc.

Try Turtle wax sticker and label remover - I found that it works even on the oldest dried on adhesive - although it can be slow for super old adhesive it did not harm the paint

Most likely. I have often seen it in FLAPS (Friendly Local Auto Parts Store).

My go to is slow reducer. Takes much longer to evaporate which allows it to soften the adhesive much longer than other options. I removed all the pillar covering in my Vanagon using this product after exhausting other options, including adhesive remover.

Are you certain that this is just residual adhesive? Given none of the suggestions involved is working, I'm suspicious that the surface is physically damaged.

If that's the case then it's likely a physical re-polish requirement, such as what's done to sand off the fogged surface of old plastic headlights/covers.

Have you tried Simple Green cleaner? Put some on the adhesive and let it soak into the adhesive for a few minutes before you start rubbing it. Use an old bathroom cotton towel because it is slightly rougher than using an old cotton t-shirt.

The metal on the steering wheel is likely polished aluminum, not chromed steel. You could try polishing out the scratches from the pumice-based hand cleaner with some 0000 steel wool.

Acetone, lacquer thinner, MEK, dissolves the strongest contact cement. Won't hurt chrome.

Acetone, lacquer thinner, MEK, dissolves the strongest contact cement. Won't hurt chrome or single stage enamel paint

I have been using lacquer thinner for 50 years, and recently it has become more "planet friendly". It doesn't cut like in the past