Removing My Paracord Steering Wheel Work after 6+ Years!
I recently removed some custom knotwork from the steering wheel of my car. The work had been done over 6 years ago. At the time, I was learning new things, and really drawn to nautical rope work. I chose a half hitch spiral coxcombing—also call French Hitching—that terminated into (incorporated) checkered 5x4 Turk’s Head Knots.
I was very proud of the work. In retrospect I wouldn’t have chosen to use paracord with a pattern. I have found that this interferes with fully appreciating the knotwork itself. This happens because the inherent lines of the knotwork get lost to the eye, obscured by the paracord surface pattern. Live and learn.
I came to the decision to remove the work after a “build up” of some nagging issues that nothing, short of complete removal, would alleviate.
Paracord is rather porous and is basically a grime magnet! The oils and dirt in your hands gradually build up and thus attract other particulates in the air, making for a rather icky steering wheel.
During days of rain, excessive moisture, or high humidity, the built-up layers of grime would get tacky. This would just be rather disgusting to feel while driving.
Cleaning wasn’t too bad, but it also wasn’t thorough. A saturated surface/automotive cleaning cloth was a great way to get some of the grime off—freshening up the steering wheel. For a time, it would feel and look better. But, upon closer inspection, all the finer places, that you couldn’t reach with the cloth, were still dirty.
Taking the knot work off wasn’t too difficult; a modest spike to pry the work loose, and some side cutters was all that was needed.
Removing the work gingerly, and in small pieces was necessary to help decrease the amount of material being disturbed—I was reminded with every move, as small, 6-year puffs of accumulated particles were being released with every pull and/or snip.
Removing the cord work revealed further grime. Grime that had made it down to the steering wheel itself, either via the gaps in the work, or through the fibers over the six years of its installment. Using the cleaning clothes, it took three of them with excessive elbow-grease to wipe away the years of funk and grime that lie beneath the cordage.
To my surprise, the cord work had left, what currently seems to be, a permanent impression upon the soft stock material of the steering wheel.
My only guess is that due to Paracord, being mostly made of Nylon, constricts under heat and moisture. After over six years of Summer Sun and various midwest weather conditions—experienced by a car’s interior—the paracord acted like a slow and patient python; increasing its constriction ever so slightly over that time, ultimately leaving a deep impression in its wake.
I’m really not sure. It was cool for a time. But I am also old enough to remember a time when fancy steering wheel covers were applied by hand using leather thong, etc. I understand now why such material was used. The porous nature of paracord is inherently a dirt, grime and potential germ magnet. Not to mention, affecting the surface integrity of the steering wheel itself—Which could be a detracting aesthetic, possibly affecting resale value, in the eyes of some.
For now, along with the new and unexpected look, I'm enjoying the long overdue and clean feel of my old steering wheel.
s-u-f-j-a-n-s-t-e-v-e-n-s
titsay
amandla