1LE Suede shift knob cleaning - Page 2 - Camaro5 Chevy Camaro Forum / Camaro ZL1, SS and V6 Forums

Aqua Velva · 06-08-2018, 01:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stick1975

Hi all, I joined the forum to share something I learned about the suede leather shift knob on the 1LE. Mine was super dirty and gummed up. After trying quite a few cleaners and brushes with no success I did some internet searches and found one person recommending Dawn dishwashing liquid. I was going to buy a new shifter anyways so I popped it off and tried it. My shifter looks brand new now. Before you buy expensive suede cleaners or a new shift knob, try dawn and water. Work it into a lather and then rinse.

Glad it worked out for you. Learned that trick from a woman that drove a 1le car.

ChibiBlackSheep · 06-08-2018, 08:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JoeyBagOfDonutz

I was debating on removing the shift knob and cleaning it in the sink with dawn and water. Is soaking it a bad idea?

I wouldn't soak it unless you really feel like it needs it. Just take it off, clean it, let it dry and see how it sits.

I'd hate for you to soak it and have the glue possibly break apart.

JoeyBagOfDonutz · 06-08-2018, 01:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ChibiBlackSheep

I wouldn't soak it unless you really feel like it needs it. Just take it off, clean it, let it dry and see how it sits.

I'd hate for you to soak it and have the glue possibly break apart.

Good point. It's not really dirty, just figured it might be easier that way to rinse off residual cleaner. I've been using a Terry towel and Adam's carpet and upholstery cleaner, and then a damp cloth. The Terry towel helps with the nap and refresh the fibers.

Andoskyy · 06-08-2018, 01:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JoeyBagOfDonutz

I was debating on removing the shift knob and cleaning it in the sink with dawn and water. Is soaking it a bad idea?

Nope, you're good to go...just did this yesterday. I didn't soak, but soaped it, scrubbed it, and rinsed it at least 4 times. Held a crazy amount of dirt. I just repeated until the lather was pure white and not dirty.

Squeezed it dry with a microfiber cloth and let it dry in the sun for a few hours. came out perfect.

Literally took 5 minutes to rinse all the Dawn out the last time though.

JoeyBagOfDonutz · 06-10-2018, 10:23 AM

Soap residue holds more dirt, and that's what i was worried about. I'll remove it and rinse it.

j o n · 06-12-2018, 08:47 PM

I already bought a new one. But i just did this with my old one, works great. Hot water, Ajax, and a tooth brush... Took a hardened like knob and turned it fresh like the new one.

1LEJNG · 06-12-2018, 09:02 PM

I enjoyed hearing what techniques every one uses for cleaning. I couldn't wait to replace mine with something else. My original one is sitting in a drawer under my workbench. I will try one of your ideas on my steering wheel when it gets dirty.

j o n · 06-13-2018, 06:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by j o n

I already bought a new one. But i just did this with my old one, works great. Hot water, Ajax, and a tooth brush... Took a hardened like knob and turned it fresh like the new one.

Here's pics

Original upon removal

Original after 5 min of Hot water, Ajax, and a tooth brush...

JKiss45 · 06-13-2018, 08:25 AM

Did the Dawn dish soap with microfiber towels last week. So happy I saw this thread! feels and looks like new.

ChibiBlackSheep · 06-13-2018, 09:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JKiss45

Did the Dawn dish soap with microfiber towels last week. So happy I saw this thread! feels and looks like new.

Throw a suede brush in your glovebox, and just try to hit it every other week and it should stay feeling nice for a long time.

j o n · 06-13-2018, 10:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ChibiBlackSheep

Throw a suede brush in your glovebox, and just try to hit it every other week and it should stay feeling nice for a long time.

That's the real key, i use a toothbrush on everything like every 2 weeks at least. Same when I had other cars with micro suede or alacantara.

chargerfan2 · 07-02-2018, 07:50 PM

I was cleaning mine a week ago and notice the suede on the knob was starting to come apart in that seam just above the stitches. Where's a good place to get a new knob only and how hard is to take the old one out?

JoeyBagOfDonutz · 07-02-2018, 08:01 PM

Pretty easy to remove the knob. there is a screw hidden under the boot collar.
https://www.camaro5.com/forums/showthread.php?t=286692.

MustbeaCamaro · 07-08-2018, 10:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stick1975

Hi all, I joined the forum to share something I learned about the suede leather shift knob on the 1LE. Mine was super dirty and gummed up. After trying quite a few cleaners and brushes with no success I did some internet searches and found one person recommending Dawn dishwashing liquid. I was going to buy a new shifter anyways so I popped it off and tried it. My shifter looks brand new now. Before you buy expensive suede cleaners or a new shift knob, try dawn and water. Work it into a lather and then rinse.

Absolutely works. I bought Alcantra clear and followed directions using micro fiber towel and a brushed lightly with natural bristle bush. Even maybe did a little damage to the knap. Not much change.

Then I found this article and followed directions to the letter. I used a few drops of a different dish washing soap in a bowl of water then soaked a microfiber towel in it and rubbed the knob and steering wheel with a twisting actions fairly vigorously. Then rang out the town and rinsed it in clean water and repeated the action then wiped it dry. All with micro fiber towel. Now looks like new.

06-12-2018, 08:47 PM	#20
j o n Drives: 2015 Z/28 #0058 Join Date: Apr 2018 Location: Pittsburgh, PA Posts: 814	I already bought a new one. But i just did this with my old one, works great. Hot water, Ajax, and a tooth brush... Took a hardened like knob and turned it fresh like the new one. __________________ Current: - '15 Z/28 #0058 \| White \| A/C \| Speakers \| Michelin PS4S 305/30/19's - '22 Ridgeline RTL \| White \| Ebony, '22 CR-V EX-L Hybrid \| White \| Ebony Sold: - '15 Z/28 #0048 \| White \| A/C \| Speakers \| Michelin PS4S 305/30/19's https://www.instagram.com/__jon__athan__/

06-12-2018, 09:02 PM	#21
1LEJNG Drives: Red Hot 2014 1LE Join Date: Feb 2016 Location: Minneapolis Posts: 234 View My Garage	1LE I enjoyed hearing what techniques every one uses for cleaning. I couldn't wait to replace mine with something else. My original one is sitting in a drawer under my workbench. I will try one of your ideas on my steering wheel when it gets dirty.

06-10-2018, 10:23 AM	#19
JoeyBagOfDonutz Drives: 2014 1LE Join Date: Aug 2017 Location: Philly Posts: 52	Soap residue holds more dirt, and that's what i was worried about. I'll remove it and rinse it.

06-13-2018, 08:25 AM	#23
JKiss45 Drives: 2015 Camaro 2SS 1LE Join Date: Aug 2015 Location: Columbus, Ohio Posts: 113	Did the Dawn dish soap with microfiber towels last week. So happy I saw this thread! feels and looks like new.

07-02-2018, 07:50 PM	#26
chargerfan2 Drives: 2014 Camaro SS 1LE 2SS Summit White Join Date: May 2016 Location: San Diego Posts: 167	I was cleaning mine a week ago and notice the suede on the knob was starting to come apart in that seam just above the stitches. Where's a good place to get a new knob only and how hard is to take the old one out?

07-02-2018, 08:01 PM	#27
JoeyBagOfDonutz Drives: 2014 1LE Join Date: Aug 2017 Location: Philly Posts: 52	Pretty easy to remove the knob. there is a screw hidden under the boot collar. https://www.camaro5.com/forums/showthread.php?t=286692.