Airbag cover cleaning - 986 Forum - The Community for Porsche Boxster & Cayman Owners

timc01 · 11-09-2021, 12:04 PM

2000 986 base - 4 spoke steering wheel

I need to give my steering wheel airbag cover a good clean. I think it's been sprayed with cleaner one too many times and only lightly wiped (to aviod the horn going off) so it appears there's a build up.

Am OK just disconnecting the battery (making sure I have the radio code), and then giving it a good clean or do I need to go through the whole airbag removal, taking the charge out etc.? Just very cautious when it come to 20+ year old airbag!!

Thanks

RedTele58 · 11-09-2021, 12:49 PM

I'd disconnect the battery and wait 20-30 minutes before I'd mess with it. (That's the usual time recommended before you should try to remove it.) I'd be comfortable giving it a good cleaning at that point.

timc01 · 11-09-2021, 03:25 PM

Thanks, I'll give thar a go. Will also try and free up the fore/aft movement at the same time. Can't move it at present and when I give it a good tug the horn goes off!

Quote:

Originally Posted by RedTele58

I'd disconnect the battery and wait 20-30 minutes before I'd mess with it. (That's the usual time recommended before you should try to remove it.) I'd be comfortable giving it a good cleaning at that point.

dghii · 11-09-2021, 04:43 PM

A wet magic eraser will cure your ills....no need to remove the bag. Also, Wipe the eraser on your 'clean' steering wheel and see what happens!

2ata · 11-10-2021, 05:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dghii

A wet magic eraser will cure your ills....no need to remove the bag. Also, Wipe the eraser on your 'clean' steering wheel and see what happens!

I would comment that, while this may work, keep in mind that melamine foam is actually a very fine sandpaper. I'd be cautious of surfaces, leather steering wheel being one.

timc01 · 11-11-2021, 01:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 2ata

I would comment that, while this may work, keep in mind that melamine foam is actually a very fine sandpaper. I'd be cautious of surfaces, leather steering wheel being one.

I did use the. Magic Eraser and it worked. But I do agree you need to know when to stop with it, it can clearly do more harm than good.

Quadcammer · 11-10-2021, 07:52 AM

no need to be shy. you can give it a good hard scrubbing without disconnecting anything

subieworx · 11-13-2021, 05:41 AM

Magic erasers can also remove dye from leather so be careful as that black stuff you see coming off surfaces may not be dirt.