Keeping it clean makes it fun to work on too. Yes, and neighbors make fun of me as well :O)
I like the wash the engine everything I wash the car. I also ...... well... wax the painted areas inside the engine compartment :O), as well as the door/hatch jambs and hinges, skid plates. I go nuts with Rust-Oleum - only a very light coat though... even the front drive shifts, steering knuckles, tie rods ... all of that. A little paint goes a long way!
Haven't have any problem with the leather on by steering wheel, by the way. My 92 now is up to 71,000 miles.