Steering wheel hub in the sun

[bojesphob]

We don't have a long enough garage for my 24 Tremor 401 to fit in it, so it sits outside. Since it's black, I put a windshield sun shade in while it's parked (keeps it from getting as hot) and the front windows are now tinted to the same level that the back are, so around 50%.

I've now had it since December, and I don't drive it a lot (only sitting at 4k in 10 months), but here in the last month or so, I've noticed that while the rest of the interior looks pretty much immaculate, the center hub of the steering wheel that is the air bag cover is starting to bleach and get powdery like you would expect from a 1980s Ford interior. Don't have any pics at the moment, but can get some if anyone wants to see it. I've cleaned it with the cleaning sprays like Armor All that are also supposed to protect the interior, and it's still doing it. I've resorted now to putting a piece of fabric over the center of the steering wheel to keep the sun and the reflections off of it, but that's ridiculous having to do that on a 10 month old truck.

Is anyone else having this issue? Is it possible that part is supposed to have a protective coating on it that might have been missed on this particular part? How do you prevent this when the sprays made for it aren't doing anything?

On a side note, the 2016 XLT Sport I had before this sat in the same place for years and that piece looked the same when the guy hit it and totaled it as it did when I got it.

 

[bojesphob]

Got a picture of it. This really reminds me of the 85 Ford Tempo I had in high school years ago where the plastic was degrading...

 

[Iconic5.0]

I’d say trash the Armor All and get some 303. Armor All is known to do more harm than good these days, at least the original stuff.

303 is top notch and will not be shiny.

https://a.co/d/j25HOwO

 

[Brynn2023Tremor]

I don’t use any spray protectors and it looks perfect 20k no garage

 

[bojesphob]

Definitely not using Armor All, lol that was the only thing that popped in my mind at work when I wrote that. I have Ice Premium Care Protectant and Cleaner. Worked really well on the 2016. I'll have to get some of that 303 if it will help. It just really surprises me that it's doing this.

 

[TexasTea]

303 aerospace protectant. It exists for a reason.

 

[bojesphob]

303 aerospace protectant. It exists for a reason.

I'll admit, I hadn't looked into protectants for a long time. The Ice stuff I use now, I've been using for probably 15 years, and I can't say I ever knew 303 even existed. I have already gotten a bottle of 303, and have applied it. It definitely looks better now, and hopefully it will mitigate any further damage. Thanks for mentioning it, as well as you too, Iconic5.0!

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[TexasTea]

I'll admit, I hadn't looked into protectants for a long time. The Ice stuff I use now, I've been using for probably 15 years, and I can't say I ever knew 303 even existed. I have already gotten a bottle of 303, and have applied it. It definitely looks better now, and hopefully it will mitigate any further damage. Thanks for mentioning it, as well as you too, Iconic5.0!

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It's great stuff!