If the steering wheel was originally made of leather, then several options for re-upholstering it are possible:
1. Exact repetition of factory reupholstery.
If the car is German, we make a 100% copy of the original upholstery.
This is also possible for Korean, Japanese and American cars, but we recommend altering them using German technology. There are three main differences:
Firstly Asians and Americans sew the steering wheel from four pieces of leather, the Germans don’t skimp, they make it from one whole piece. As a result, there are not four transverse seams, but one (from the bottom), this increases the service life, since abrasion of the skin over time occurs primarily at the seams in the places where the hand is gripped.
Secondly, the longitudinal seam of the “Germans” is the so-called “macrame”, it is flat, made with relatively thin threads and is practically not tactilely felt. Japanese and Korean handlebars are sewn with “pigtail” or “herringbone” seams, the thread is thick, the seam “raises” the skin and becomes convex.
In addition, the “macrame” seam is simply beautiful, and if you look at “tuned” steering wheels, in which the seam has a different color compared to the color of the skin, it will always be a “Macrame” seam.
Photo "macrame"
photo "braids"
photo of "Christmas tree"
Third, location of the longitudinal seam. For Asians and Americans, the longitudinal seam runs along the knitting needle on both sides and, accordingly, is constantly grabbed by the hand. The Germans have one seam and it is located on the back side of the knitting needle. The hand turning the steering wheel practically does not touch it. It’s a little thing that you’re unlikely to pay attention to, but it’s precisely these many little things that make up comfort.
2. Steering wheel tuning,
Perforated inserts, or leather inserts of a different color.
The simplest and most popular way to make the steering wheel more beautiful is to install inserts made of perforated leather (leather “with a hole”) into the steering wheel. Most often on the sides on the right and left, in the grip areas. Counts. That this makes your hands sweat less, but this is unlikely, the effect is rather purely design. But there is a negative side effect - dust and dirt get into these very “holes”. And this speck of dust is sometimes black, sometimes gray. Gray against the background of black leather can be noticeable; the steering wheel will have to be washed and cleaned from time to time. So perforation is beautiful, but not very practical, so beauty in this case requires sacrifice.
It is possible to change the design of the steering wheel, for example:
Thickening. We can make the steering wheel thicker by 4-8mm in diameter. The standard handlebar has a diameter of 32 - 35mm. Accordingly, the thickening will be noticeable 12% -24%
Soft steering wheel. We can also make the steering wheel soft. Before covering it with leather, in this case the steering wheel is covered with soft porous polyurethanes, whose mechanical characteristics (elasticity) are similar to porous rubber. This technology is used to make the “soft” steering wheels of almost all Mercedes, all BMW M-series steering wheels, BMW-E-65, as well as almost all Infiniti cars and some Lexuses.
It should be taken into account that the steering wheel will become 4 mm thicker in diameter (a 12% increase in thickness).
3. Anatomical steering wheel.
The most radical, labor-intensive and expensive tuning option.
The steering wheel looks very impressive, very comfortable, fits like a glove in your hands.
In our steering wheels, the anatomical inserts are made not of fiberglass (a hard material that feels hard like plastic), which can be dangerous, but of polyurethane, which is identical in elasticity and softness to the polyurethanes from which the original steering wheels are made.
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24.04.2016
The steering wheel of a car is not only one of the main controls, but also the element that you pay attention to when you get into the car and on which how comfortable and pleasant it is to drive the car depends. Intensive use of the steering wheel leads to a fairly rapid loss of its original appearance. In this article « » I’ll tell you how to return the steering wheel to its previous appearance and make it even more attractive.
To get started you will need
- Remove the steering wheel from the car (use the vehicle repair and maintenance manual).
- Construction masking tape - 1 large roll (paper tape, ordinary oilcloth tape will not work)
- Cling film or packaging film - 1 skein
- A utility knife preferably with a new blade
- Dark marker – 1 pc.
- Cardboard (preferably medium density)
- Strong nylon thread (the kind used for shoe repair is suitable)
- Sewing needles, preferably hardened ones (take several, they may bend or break)
- Two thimbles for the middle fingers (will protect your fingers from punctures)
Well, the most basic material to work with is leather. It is better to use good quality leather, and if you want to practice, it is better to use leather or leather substitute from old jackets, pants, bags, etc.
Making patterns
You need to wrap the steering wheel with cling film. The film should fit snugly to the base of the steering wheel. 
Then on top of the film as tightly as possible Wrap up the masking tape so that the final result does not make the braid larger. 
We take a marker and divide the steering wheel into four parts, make a mark on the inside of the steering wheel for the inner seam, preferably straight.IMPORTANT: number or label each piece before cutting. We cut clearly according to the marks made, you should get four patterns. 
We cut out the patterns and lay them on a flat surface, press them with something heavy, and leave them overnight so that they level out and take the desired shape. Next, we transfer the aligned patterns onto cardboard (this will make it more convenient to make patterns on the skin, NECESSARILY make a reserve of 1-1.5 cm for the length of each element), and then transfer it to the skin. 
We sew the elements cut out of leather in order from numbers 1 to 4, the first and last are sewn together to make a ring. 
We try on the finished braid on the steering wheel; the workpiece should not dangle, but should fit snugly to the steering wheel (if it still does not fit, you need to sew it in one of the seams). If everything worked out, we move on to the next stage, take the steering wheel braid and stitch the edges. It is better to perform this procedure with a sewing machine, if it is not possible to stitch, you can make a winding on the edges of the product (use only strong threads).
Stitch options for tightening the braid on the steering wheel
Completion of work
To prevent the braid from slipping on the steering wheel during operation, the edges can be secured with glue or epoxy resin. After all the preparatory work has been completed, you can begin to tighten the braid on the steering wheel. Upon completion of the work, install the steering wheel back on the car and enjoy the result.
The steering wheel, as you know, is the connecting link between the car and the driver. And the pleasant-to-touch material, hand comfort and many other factors influence how the driver feels the car. The steering wheel for the driver is not only the most significant detail, it is also significant in terms of the interior of the cabin. The shabby, sometimes torn, worn-out material that covers the steering wheel indicates that it’s time to change the covering, no matter how familiar and convenient it may be.
Everyone’s tastes are different, some like a smooth polished steering wheel, others almost covered with snake skin, but almost everyone chooses the classic black leather. Any car enthusiast wants individuality, originality and chic. And one of the most popular ways to bring original design into the interior is to reupholster the steering wheel. At the same time, it is also an excellent element of car tuning.
It is worth noting that servicing the steering wheel is an expensive pleasure. Therefore, the best way in this case is to reupholster the steering wheel with leather yourself, which will save money and add individuality. Everything that is made by hand is exclusive in a single copy.
Re-upholstery process
Before proceeding directly to the reupholstery, you need to decide what material the steering wheel will be covered with and choose its color.
The most convenient leather to use is perforated leather, it is softer and more elastic, and it is more convenient and comfortable to work with than smooth leather. Although smooth leather has its advantages, it is more wear-resistant than perforated leather. The optimal skin thickness should vary between 1.2 – 1.4 mm.
Not everyone can ideally cover a steering wheel with leather. Working with leather requires certain knowledge and skills, so such an expensive pleasure as covering a steering wheel with leather should be performed by a master of his craft. Otherwise, you can ruin expensive material, as a result of which you simply waste money. Among other things, the most popular steering wheel upholstery is leather - it is comfortable, pleasant to the touch and durable.
Video
Below you can see instructions for installing the steering leather braid:
Photo
Let's start right off the bat. A secret that is carefully hidden by the owners of car dealerships and studios - you can cover the steering wheel of your Mustang with leather yourself. Even at home. Even without expensive car leather. Even if you don't know how to sew. Strictly follow the step-by-step instructions, watch the video and believe in your own success.
Why leather?
- The leather steering wheel evokes a pleasant tactile sensation and is warm to the touch.
- The leather steering wheel is securely fixed in the hand, making it easier for the driver to react to unexpected road situations.
- A leather steering wheel looks restrained and elegant or young and playful, depending on the color and quality of the material.
Preparing materials and tools
For work we will need the following tools and materials:
- Narrow masking tape;
- Stationery cardboard;
- Roll of cling film;
- Marker with a thick rod;
- Nail scissors or stationery knife;
- Two hardened steel needles for leather;
- Durable synthetic thread of a suitable color;
- A pair of thimbles;
- Two-component leather adhesive;
- Home or industrial hair dryer.
Making a pattern for a leather braid on the steering wheel with your own hands
The steering wheel in each car has its own configuration and features, so we will experiment with the pattern. Remove the steering wheel and wrap the steering wheel with cling film. This material is elastic and fits perfectly onto the base. We evenly wrap a layer of masking tape on top of the film. We especially carefully treat the areas at the base of the knitting needles.
We carefully examine our work and decide how the skin will lie, how many parts we will divide the circle into, three, four or six. The proportions between the parts of the braid are a matter of your personal preference. The eyes are afraid, but the hands are doing. Using a marker, we draw the boundaries of future pieces of material onto the surface of the tape; the seams will run along them. We mark each part and assign a serial number.
Using a utility knife, cut the paper layers along the drawn lines. Using scissors we refine the shapes. We place the resulting templates under a press for alignment for a day. This could be a stack of books or a weight. If you don’t have time to wait, then iron the parts with a low-heat iron. We cut out blanks from cardboard according to the size of the templates, and be sure to transfer the numbering of the pieces onto them.
Please note: Let's reveal one more secret. If the cutting process seems too complicated for you, look at the market for “semi-finished” braids made of perforated or smooth leather. A strong needle and nylon thread are included in the kit. All you have to do is wrap the steering wheel yourself.
Choosing skin
Choosing a material for tuning is a fascinating process. Color scheme, combination of leather of different textures, price and availability of materials in stores... Black color is universal, it is an eternal classic of the genre, but it is unlikely to be appropriate in a beige interior. Choose soft leather, consider perforated options. This material is easily fixed by hand and has a high coefficient of friction.
Where to buy covering material? Go to an auto shop, visit fabric stores, or look at online store catalogs. The pattern of the product will tell you the required amount of leather.
Note: Leather ALCANTARA Alcantara (artificial suede). Thanks to the adhesive base and protective adhesive paper, it is easy to work with. The pattern is drawn on adhesive paper, cut out with scissors, the protective layer is removed, the leather is stretched exactly to the shape of the steering wheel and glued in the right places.
How to cover a steering wheel with leather with your own hands: steps
1. So, the patterns are ready, the leather has been purchased, you can begin the process of covering. We lay out the templates on the wrong side of the material and, taking into account the allowance in the places where the pieces are sewn together, make markings. Leave allowances of 2-3 mm. Cut it out.
2. We stitch the joints of the leather flaps using a sewing machine. If desired, decorative stitches can be placed along the front side. Feel free to try the resulting model on your steering wheel. Check that the product fits tightly, without sagging or bubbles. Make any necessary adjustments.
Note: Another secret to a perfect fit. To ensure that the seams at the joints of the pieces do not stick out, and the surface of the braid is smooth everywhere, it is recommended to use a stationery knife to cut shallow grooves on the steering wheel at the seams. Exactly the same recesses are made near the steering wheel spokes.
3. At the next stage, we tighten the braid with a strong nylon thread. For this we will need two hot steel needles and two thimbles. Start stitching from the joining seam. The threads come from both sides, crossing each other. Where the knitting needles meet, the thread is drawn from the back of the rim. To ensure that the braid lies as tightly as possible, do not forget to tighten the material.
Secure the tie at the start of the stitching with a high-quality double knot. In the case when the edges were stitched on a machine, the tie can be done with one needle, using existing holes for punctures. This seam will be more even and smooth.
Note: the secret of strong fastening of knots of nylon threads. To prevent unraveling of knots and sagging of threads during work, wet them with superglue. You don't have to worry about the reliability of the connection of slippery nylon fibers.
4. The work is ready. You can dry the steering wheel with a hairdryer and return it to its place. If you still doubt that you can wrap the steering wheel yourself, experienced specialists share tips on how to simplify the process:
- Instead of a screed, place the parts on epoxy or rubber glue, use leather with an adhesive base. Thus, cutting errors will be less noticeable.
- You can pierce even holes along the edges of the workpieces using a sewing machine without threads. Your seams will be neat and even without hassle.
- Pre-moisten the skin in warm water, it will become elastic. Once dry, the material will fit more tightly to the base due to its reduction in size.
As you can see, covering the steering wheel with leather is not at all difficult. You just have to start and everything will work out. A leather steering wheel will give the car interior a stylish appearance and highlight your individuality.
Spending time behind the wheel always becomes much more enjoyable if your hands touch natural leather. But not everyone is willing to pay generously for an expensive option or studio services. Car owners often do everything on their own, because DIY leather steering wheel reupholstery- a completely doable task even at home. Next, we will look at the step-by-step process of refining the steering wheel. And it should be noted that the recommendations given in the article are quite relevant for a rim of almost any configuration.
Pattern
Before covering your steering wheel with leather or leatherette, you will have to make a pattern. Of course, for men who have never even held a thread and a needle in their hands, this sounds very specific. But what can you do for your beloved “swallow”. And preparing the blanks is, in fact, not at all difficult.
To do this you will need:
- narrow masking tape;
- cling film;
- marker;
- stationery knife;
- cardboard (also stationery).
First, the removed steering wheel must be tightly wrapped with cling film. It is very elastic, and therefore it will not be difficult to wrap the rim and the base of the spokes perfectly. Next, masking tape is wound evenly and without gaps over the film. Upon completion of the work, it is necessary to mark the boundaries of future pieces of leather on the surface of the tape using a marker. It is very difficult to give universal advice on this point, since the design of the steering wheel is different for each car model. Accordingly, the proportions between the parts of the braid are an individual matter, but usually it is 3-4 pieces.
Next, use a stationery knife to carefully cut the paper layer along the drawn lines. It is then better to place the templates for a day under some kind of press, for example a stack of books, to align them. After this, patterns from medium-density cardboard are cut out and numbered (signed) according to the size of the blanks. Similar elements from leather are already marked and cut out from them. You just need to take into account the fact that it is necessary to leave a margin (overlap) for sewing individual pieces together - approximately 2-3 mm.
Stitching and binding
After the leather flaps are ready, they need to be sewn together using a sewing machine. Some additionally recommend stitching the edges of the finished braid in order to hide possible cutting flaws. If you also decide to do this, then you will need to carefully leave an overlap (up to 5 mm) along all edges of the flaps. Now you should try the resulting creation on the steering wheel. Everything should fit (in a tightened state) quite tightly, otherwise later, in the heat, the skin will warm up a little and wrinkle.
To ensure that the seams at the junction of the pieces do not stick out against the general background and the surface of the steering wheel braid is smooth everywhere, it is recommended to cut special grooves on the steering wheel with a stationery knife. You can do the same with the edges that “stick out” onto the steering wheel spokes. The braid must be tightened with a strong nylon thread and two hardened needles. You will also need 2 thimbles for the middle fingers. For reliability, it is better to immediately wet the locking knots of the thread with “superglue”, since nylon fiber is very slippery and can then come undone.
You should start stitching from the joining seam(s). The threads should go in a cross pattern, overlapping each other. The junction points of the steering wheel spokes are skipped; the threads here are drawn from the back of the rim. It would not be superfluous to emphasize the importance of constantly tightening the material when stitching so that the braid stays tight and there are no folds. The final touch is a double fixing knot in the place where the tie started. If the edges were stitched, the tie can be done with one needle and one thread, threading them through the loops formed during stitching. This will make the screed seam smoother and more even.
In addition, we can mention the availability of “semi-finished products” on the market in the form of ready-made braids made of perforated and regular leather, incl. artificial. The kit also includes a needle and nylon thread. The process of covering the steering wheel in this case will be similar to that described above.