For a long time I wanted to change the steering wheel cover because I enjoy driving and wanted more grip. Unfortunately, I could not find a suitable trim on sale as a ready-made kit, since the steering wheel of my car is not a standard size. I tried a couple of them, but didn't find one that suited me.
A few days ago I was looking for trim on aliexpress, and then an interesting idea came to my mind - why not make the trim for the steering wheel of your car yourself? I then started scouring this website looking for ready-made instructions, but didn't find any, but read a lot of tutorials where people, even newbies to the leather craft, make amazing things. This gave me confidence that I could do everything myself too.
To begin with, I took the remaining piece of fabric that was lying around my house and started working.
Step 1. Materials and their cost.
- A piece of board fabric the length of the circumference of the steering wheel is free. It was a piece left over from some project my wife had.
- A strip of leather about a quarter of a square meter in area (this size is more than enough to make 2 normal sized trims, but my steering wheel is thick, so I used that size for one trim). About 500rub
- Threads - 50 rub.
- Glue - 20 rub.
- Measuring tape, ruler, pencils, scissors, etc.
- Time - from 4 to 5 hours.
I started by cutting fabric with the length of the steering wheel circumference and a width of 11 cm. First, I asked my friend to sew a piece of fabric, but the resulting donut turned out to be too big and I had to alter it myself at home and cut off the excess. Now everything is the right size. In the photo above you can see where I marked the fabric so I could cut the leather later.
Step 2. I cut the skin.
Once the fabric pattern was ready, I took out a piece of leather and cut it according to the pattern. I then made some temporary stitches to try the trim on the handlebars. The original measurements were correct and I started marking the places that needed to be cut. Once this was done, it was time to fold the sides of the pattern to make the side stitches for sewing the cover on the wheel.
Once the desired spots were marked, I began cutting the leather and turning the edges under to stitch the sides. As a result, together with the folded edges, the width of the paneling turned out to be 11 cm. I applied glue to the leather to make it easier to sew the sides of the trim together.
After this step, it's time to sew the ends together and put the trim on the steering wheel. I sewed around the perimeter using a sewing machine. The leather is not thick, so it can be sewn even on an ordinary household machine. Then I tried the trim on the steering wheel again
The dimensions were perfect and the trim fit snugly around the steering wheel. Now it's time to stitch everything together on the handlebar.
Step 3. Sew the trim on the steering wheel
I took a long needle and bought nylon thread, it is stronger than cotton.
Typically, the stitches on ready-made trims available in stores are a little longer, which reduces the number of seams when sewing, but since I made this side seam myself, the stitches were shorter and therefore took longer to sew. Take a look at the close-up image and you'll see what I mean.
The sewing took about 2 hours, but I had a lot of fun making something with my own hands. Also the ready-made covers available in the market do not cover the lower part of the handlebars as this is the thickest part, close to 13 cm in girth, and no cover is suitable for it. My custom trim was made to fit this width and therefore covers the entire handlebar. take a look at the last image.
It turned out a little crooked, but since I did it for the first time, I am very pleased with the result and with myself. For beginners, I can advise you to make upholstery not from leather for the first time, but to buy a piece of leatherette or use an old jacket or coat.
Next time I will make a different trim so that it fits the steering wheel more tightly and matches the color of the trim of the car itself.
The steering wheel is the part of the car that is most susceptible to abrasion. Usually the braid lasts up to two hundred thousand. However, this does not happen with all car models. After 3-5 years, the steering wheel becomes flabby and scratched. Naturally, when selling a car, the buyer’s eye is drawn to the steering wheel braid. Therefore, it is important to preserve its factory condition as much as possible.
Today’s article will be useful not only to car owners, but also to those who sell cars on the secondary market. So, how to cover a steering wheel with leather yourself? Let's look at it below.
Material
The first problem the owner faces is the choice of material. There are many finishing options. In our case, we need to cover the steering wheel with leather. Moreover, its quality must be at a high level. The work of restoring the steering wheel is quite difficult. Our goal is to restore the material to its former state for as long as possible.
What is better to cover the steering wheel - leather or eco-leather? It all depends on the preferences of the owner. Of course, genuine leather will cost much more than a substitute (that is, material with the prefix “eco”). Note that eco-leather of proper quality is not inferior to the characteristics of natural leather. It is elastic and fits the steering wheel well. The material has a homogeneous structure. This steering wheel looks very organic and presentable. The main thing is to make the sketch correctly.
Important point! The most convenient leather to use is only perforated. This is the softest, most elastic, pleasant to the touch material. It is very easy to work with him. The coating can take any shape (this is especially true for those who want to cover a steering wheel with complex configurations and grooves in leather).
What thickness should I choose? The optimal value is from one to one and a half millimeters. The main requirements for leather are resistance to temperature changes, mechanical damage and, of course, abrasion.
There is also smooth skin. In terms of characteristics, it is no different from the previous one. Here, as they say, it's a matter of taste.
Tools
Before you cover the steering wheel with leather yourself, you need to prepare a small set of tools and materials. We will need:
- Rubber glue.
- Construction tape.
- Pattern.
- Stationery knife.
- Marker.
- Pencil.
- Awl.
- Pliers.
- Nylon thread (work requires at least one meter).
- Two (it is recommended that they be semicircular).
Work should be done in a well-lit room.
Let's get started - the first step
First you need to dismantle without removing it is almost impossible. This is a very labor-intensive process. Dismantling will significantly reduce the time of work. To remove the steering wheel from the column, use a special puller. It looks like this:
Without it, dismantling will be quite difficult, especially if the steering wheel is being removed for the first time. The fastening nut itself is also unscrewed (use a “27” wrench). Do not try to pull the steering wheel by force, much less use foreign tools. This will only damage the interior elements.
Note! Before removing the steering wheel, make a small mark with a pencil on it and on the column shaft. This way, when installing, the element will not stand crookedly.
Step two - make a sketch
Having removed the steering wheel from the car, we begin making a sketch, according to which the material will be cut out for further application. You can use construction tape as a layout. We paste it around the perimeter of the steering wheel and cut out a pattern with a knife strictly along the lines. To ensure a high-quality sketch, apply adhesive tape in several layers (three to five is enough).
Now we remove the model from the steering wheel and transfer each marked sector to the material (leather).
Note! It is necessary to cut the skin with a small margin. Leave 1-1.5 centimeters from the edges of the sketch for seam allowance. The excess can be cut off later, but it will be impossible to restore the missing piece.
Step three - fitting
Now we apply the cut material to the steering wheel.
After making sure that all the lines correspond to the actual dimensions, we trim off the excess edges. Next, soak the material in warm water for 20 minutes. Using an awl, we make small holes every seven to eight millimeters.
Step four - stitching
Now carefully put all the parts in the order in which the stitching will be done. It is recommended to use leather for stitching (as they are the most durable). Try not to apply much force so as not to tear the material. Leather, especially perforated leather, not only stretches easily, but also tears. Try not to leave folds.
Next we tighten the edges of our material. It is necessary to secure the wheel so that it rests securely on the surface when stitching. Covering a steering wheel with leather is not so easy. The part tries to slip out of your hands. Make sure in advance that the steering wheel does not move from side to side.
An important point: before final tightening, check the condition of the material. It should be evenly tensioned. There are no sagging or folds. They greatly spoil the appearance of the steering wheel even with new leather.
Which seam to tighten
There are three types of seams:
- Sports.
- Macrame.
- Pigtail.
It is impossible to say that only a specific of these types should be used for steering wheel trim.
Everyone chooses according to their own taste. All seams look very organic on the steering wheel. The main thing is to coat the steering wheel when tightening the edges. This will prevent premature peeling of the material in the event of a seam break. Although the threads are quite strong.
Step five - installation
After the new material has been successfully applied, you need to wait until the glue dries. After an hour, you can put the steering wheel back in place. Don't forget to place it strictly according to the marks that were made in pencil. A washer is put on the nut. Next, the steering wheel is assembled according to the standard scheme.
If the car has an airbag, disconnect the terminal on the battery, otherwise the airbag may shoot out. Also connect all the sensors so that their signal does not light up on the instrument panel during startup. That's all. After installation, you can begin full use.
Conclusion
So, we found out how to properly cover the steering wheel with leather. It is worth noting that the process is quite labor-intensive and not every person can cope with it, especially if the steering wheel has a non-standard shape and wooden inserts.
There is always a high risk of improper skin adhesion. Therefore, many motorists trust this work to professionals.
Where to cover the steering wheel with leather? They often turn to specialized workshops. They also reupholster seats, door panels and other interior parts. The price of the work is from three thousand rubles (including material).
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.
Imagine that you have decided to modernize the interior of your car. We ordered genuine leather seat covers, reupholstered the front panel, ceiling, doors and even the gearbox knob. But your new interior will look unfinished until you change the appearance of the steering wheel. The easiest and fastest way to do this is to put on a steering braid.
Why do you need a steering braid?
You've probably wondered more than once: why do we need a braid at all, if the steering wheel can simply be painted in the desired color? To begin with, it performs a decorative function. You can choose the appropriate material and color scheme and thereby refresh the car interior. The braid also has other useful functions. For example, it increases the thickness of the steering wheel, making the grip more comfortable. The material will be soft under your hands and, in cold weather, warmer than the original plastic handlebar.
In addition, the braid protects the steering wheel itself from mechanical damage: scratches, chips, abrasions. If the material has deteriorated during use, the braid can be easily removed and a new one installed, while the steering wheel itself will have to be restored for a long time and carefully. If you get a used car whose steering wheel no longer boasts a factory look, such a cover will help hide all the imperfections.
Another important feature: the braid will provide reliable grip between the surface of the steering wheel and your hands. Your palms will not slip while driving, which means your trips will be safer.
The appearance of the steering wheel has become much more expensive; it now looks like on cars of a higher class. I would also like to especially note that the steering wheel has become thicker, not as slippery as before, and most importantly, it is now pleasant to the touch. In short, I'm happy with how it turned out, including the price tag and ease of installation.
Arsenyhttps://www.drive2.ru/l/3031715/
Kinds
When choosing a braid for your steering wheel, you will be faced with a wide variety of materials. Among the most popular types are the following:
- braids made of natural and artificial leather;
- fur braids;
- wire braids;
- silicone pads;
- foam covers.
Useful braids can be identified as a separate category: in addition to their main functions, they have a number of additional advantages. These include, for example, heated steering wheel covers and massage pads. Let's look at each type in more detail.
Leather braids
As we have already noted, both natural and artificial leather are used to make braids. Of course, genuine leather will be more durable, softer and more pleasant to the touch than artificial leather. However, its price can be 3-4 times higher, which makes it inaccessible to many motorists. Both artificial leather (also called eco-leather) and natural leather have good performance characteristics. Such material will not fade in the sun and will not swell from moisture. He is not afraid of temperature changes.
Typically, leather cases are chosen by males. This material looks solid and expensive and fits into the interior of any car. A leather case can be a good holiday gift.
When choosing such a braid, give preference to perforated leather. It is softer to the touch and allows air to pass through better, creating a breathable effect.
Fur
The fur used for steering braids can also be artificial or natural. Natural fur retains heat better in cold weather. Although, if you don’t ride around Arctic cities, then artificial material will do just as well. Sheepskin is often used to make covers.
Faux fur with long pile is often dyed in bright colors and complemented with fun elements. Using such a cover will give off a cheerful and carefree personality to the car owner. Such braids are most often chosen by young women.
Wicker covers
Wire woven covers are also called retro braids because they were very popular in the middle of the last century. Now such braids are used by those who want to style their iron horse as a classic car from the times of the Soviet Union.
Wicker covers retain their main functions: protecting the steering wheel from damage and from slipping of your hands. At the same time, their price is much lower than that of leather and fur counterparts. The most popular material for making wicker covers is ordinary insulated wire, which can be found in almost everyone’s garage. Some craftsmen make braids from hard and thin clotheslines.
Wire braiding can be ordered from special workshops, or you can make it yourself using weaving patterns. Using different colors, you can create your own unique steering wheel design.
Silicone and foam covers
Silicone or foam rubber is often used to make steering braids. Manufacturing technology helps make cases made from these materials inexpensive, but capable of performing all tasks perfectly. The color range of such braids is very diverse: you can find both calm pastel shades and bright neon tones. Foam rubber covers are often printed with a colored pattern, and transparent silicone will protect your steering wheel, but will reveal its original appearance.
Useful braids
Useful covers, as mentioned earlier, include heated braids. Any material can be used in their manufacture, but most often it is natural or eco-leather. Simply connect the wire from the case to the cigarette lighter, and you are provided with additional heating for your palms.
Braided massage inserts are usually made of rubber. The special relief affects certain points on the palms, improves blood circulation, thereby preventing fatigue and numbness in the hands.
How to choose the right steering wheel braid
When purchasing braid, it is not enough to choose only the color and material. It is very important to determine the correct size and shape of the part.
By size
The cover must be the right size for the steering wheel. If you choose one that's too small, you won't be able to tighten it, and if you choose one that's too big, it will wobble unsightly and cause wrinkles. To find out the diameter of the steering wheel, use a meter tape.
The size range of steering covers is represented by the following types:
- S - the smallest size, suitable for steering wheels with a diameter of 35 to 36 cm, usually used on small cars like Oka or Tavria;
- M - average size for steering wheels 37–38 cm, found on most modern foreign and domestic passenger cars with sedan, hatchback or liftback body types;
- L - large size, designed for handlebars whose diameter is 39–40 cm;
- XL - steering wheel diameter 41–43 cm, usually found on UAZ and GAZelle cars
- 2XL - this size is found in some imported trucks, the steering wheel diameter of which is 47–48 cm.
- 3XL - for steering wheels with a diameter of 49 cm, found in domestic KAMAZ vehicles.
It will be more reliable if you make the case yourself or order it from a special workshop. Professionals will accurately measure the diameter of your steering wheel and prepare a braid that fits perfectly.
By car make and model
To find out the diameter of your handlebar, check your owner's manual. The diameter may vary slightly between models. If you don’t want to take risks with choosing a cover based on the size of your steering wheel, use a ready-made solution: you can find special braids on sale, made according to the pattern for most popular cars. Enter a query indicating your model into the search bar and choose from the many options offered.
By purchasing a cover this way, you can be sure that it will fit not only the diameter of the steering wheel, but also the thickness of the rim, as well as the location of the spokes and buttons.
By appearance
Everything is simple here: you have determined the size and model, and then you can proceed to visual selection. First of all, decide on the material. Leather, fur or modern synthetic materials will create a radically different image for you and your car. Think about the color scheme of the interior: if it is completely upholstered in black leather, then bright pink long fur will look ridiculous. If the trim contains inserts of red, beige, blue or other contrasting shades, the steering wheel in a similar range will support the color scheme.
How to make it yourself - instructions
If you don’t want to spend money on ready-made braids, then you can easily make it yourself. To do this, you will need a standard set of sewing accessories, the braiding material itself, a pattern, as well as a little time and patience.
Materials and tools
First of all, prepare all the necessary materials and tools. These include:
- selected material for the new case;
- old cover (if any);
- cling film;
- masking tape;
- marker;
- tailor's chalk;
- sharp tailor's scissors and a stationery knife;
- special threads for working with leather;
- a sewing machine suitable for working with leather (or for the material of your choice);
- glue.
The process of creating a steering wheel cover
The process for creating the steering braid will vary depending on whether you are going to cover the spokes with a cover. If not, then it will be much easier to make it.
- Using a meter tape, measure two main parameters: the circumference of the steering wheel (the future length of the product), as well as the circumference of the rim itself (the future width of the product).
- Based on these numbers, cut a strip of leather to the appropriate length and width. If you are using leather that is highly elastic, indent about 1mm into the piece. This will allow you to fit the resulting cover onto the steering wheel better and more tightly.
- Sew the piece with a sewing machine at a distance of about 3 mm from the edge on both sides.
If you want the cover to cover the knitting needles, you definitely need to make patterns for the future pattern. This is done as follows.
- Wrap the steering wheel tightly with cling film.
- Apply several layers of masking tape over the film. It should cover the entire surface of the steering wheel, without gaps. Pay special attention to the knitting needles.
- Using a marker, draw a line along the center of the inside of the steering wheel rim. Now you mark the location of the future seam. Divide the steering wheel into sections from spoke to spoke. If you wish, you can make only one seam - the central one, but in this case you will have to try very hard when lacing.
- Using a utility knife, cut the masking tape along the marked lines and remove it from the steering wheel. You have created some unique patterns.
- Attach the resulting patterns to the wrong side of the material from which the cover will be made. Use chalk to carefully trace the contours, observing all curves.
- Cut out the resulting part. If you are using leather that is highly elastic, indent about 1mm into the piece. This will allow you to fit the resulting cover onto the steering wheel better and more tightly.
- Sew the piece with a sewing machine at a distance of about 3 mm from the edge on both sides. If you wish, you can sew the parts together.
- Coat the edges of the parts with a thin layer of glue and fix them on the steering wheel. If you have not sewn them before, make sure that the seams are invisible.
Making a pattern for the steering braid
It will be much easier to sew a braid with your own hands if you already have an old case. All you need to do is rip it apart at the seams and transfer the outline onto the new material, then cut, stitch and place on the handlebar.
How to properly put on and lace a braid
Now you have to properly put on and lace the resulting braid. This process will differ, although not dramatically, depending on whether the cover involves covering the steering wheel spokes.
Methods of installation on a steering wheel with and without spokes
The main difference is the need to remove the steering wheel. If the braid is not designed to fit the spokes, you can secure it while leaving the steering wheel in place. But to install a cover with material for the spokes, you will have to remove the steering wheel in the standard way.
Before removing the steering wheel, do not forget to disconnect the battery. If the housing contains an airbag, wait at least 5 minutes before starting to disassemble the steering wheel.
There are one-piece covers on sale that do not need to be laced. They are put on the top of the steering wheel, and then with force they are pulled over the entire wheel. It is advisable to have someone help with this by fixing the lining at the top. Otherwise it may slip off. The edges of such a cover will close together, and you will not have to waste precious time on lacing.
If you made the braid yourself, or bought an option that involves lacing, you will have to secure it yourself. This is a rather long, but completely uncomplicated process. You don't need to know how to sew or make beautiful stitches, because everything you need is already ready.
- If your case is made of genuine leather, soak it in warm water for 15–20 minutes. This will increase the elasticity of the material
- Arm yourself with a sewing needle. It should not be particularly thick, as you will have to pass it under the threads.
- You will not need to pierce the material with a needle. Pay attention to the line that you (or the manufacturer) made in points No. 3 and 7 of the instructions for making the pattern. Pass the needle under the stitches and pull the material together.
- Start at the bottom of the handlebar and move counterclockwise. It is most convenient to make the first tie at the beginning of one of the lower knitting needles.
- Carefully straighten and lightly stretch the material. Try to avoid folds and distortions.
- Process the entire seam in a similar manner. On the knitting needles you will have to fasten and break the thread. You can estimate the required length and number of threads in advance by measuring the distance between the knitting needles.
- When the braid is completely secured, smooth it out again and dry it. After this, the material will fit tightly around the steering wheel.
If in some places you cannot perfectly stretch the skin, warm it up with a regular hairdryer. As the temperature rises, its elasticity increases.
I put it on the steering wheel, aligned the seam in the center, and began to deal with the thread. I decided to sew through one, I just looked at how the leather steering wheels were trimmed on cars from the factory. As a result, an hour and a half to two hours of work and the steering wheel is ready. There's definitely still a meter of thread left. Now it looks like it’s original, everything fits the steering wheel. I am very pleased with the result, the steering wheel has become more comfortable and pleasant to the touch.
Tema Vorobyovhttps://www.drive2.ru/l/422671/
Video: installing braid on the steering wheel
Types of steering braid lacing
Lacing a braid is not much more difficult than lacing boots. You can use threads to match the material. In this case, it does not make much difference which method you use to lace the braid. But if you want to give your steering wheel a unique look, use threads in one or more contrasting colors. Bright threads can be used even at the stage when the part is stitched.
Braiding can be done in several ways. Which one is more convenient and nicer? I used the simplest one, when the thread is threaded into each seam, bordering the braid along the contour and tightening it like a shoe lace. The thread was the same color, the solution was temporary - so I didn’t show off. There were plans for the future to use red thread for the tie. But, for this, at a minimum, you need normal leather + additional covering of at least the automatic transmission lever. So that the finishing of key elements does not differ from each other.
maahttp://mysku.ru/blog/aliexpress/17827.html
Some types of lacing require the simultaneous use of two needles and threads. Study carefully and choose the scheme that suits you best.
Macrame lacing looks quite unusual, so it is often used when fixing the steering braid. The thread is passed under the stitch, pulled to the opposite side, and then passed under the stitch one above. This creates diagonal lacing every second stitch on both sides. The thread is pulled tightly and a seam is formed.
Video: macrame seam
In order to make lacing, called sports, you need to start weaving using the previous method, and before the final tie, start a second thread, which will pass under all the missed stitches in the same way. This double macrame is considered sports lacing.
There is a second option for sports lacing. It uses only one thread, and it is threaded into each stitch, without skipping. After tightening, the seam looks very interesting.
Video: second version of the sports seam
There are also lacing methods that do not require a starting line. Holes for the thread are punched using a special device. Such seams include braid, herringbone and some others. You can understand the weaving patterns by studying the following image and video.
Video: herringbone seam
Video: cross stitch
There is nothing complicated in the sewing technique; first, use a needle to hook a loop on one side of the braid, then on the other, then again on the first, and so on. At first I simply “laced” the braid, and after I had “laced” everything, I already pulled the thread. I did this for several reasons. Firstly, it won’t be possible to tighten it from the very first section, because the opposite end of the braid is not secured, and, secondly, since the adhesive tape will not stick, the edges of the braid moved quite a lot along the steering wheel.
SC0RPI0Nhttp://mysku.ru/blog/aliexpress/34499.html
Remember that the sides of the material need to be pulled together only after you have passed the lacing thread under all the necessary stitches. This way the formed seam will be smoother. In order for the result to be of better quality, practice on a section of the braid before putting it on the steering wheel. If you are satisfied with how the selected seam looks, feel free to install the cover on the steering wheel.
Almost anyone can make a braid on a car steering wheel. If you are doing this for the first time, choose the version of the cover without knitting needles. If you already have experience in reupholstering other parts, you can choose more complex materials and methods. As for the lacing process, it takes more time than effort. If you or the manufacturer have already taken care of the stitching on the parts, all that remains for you is to thread the thread under the stitches as if you were lacing up your favorite sneakers. And a variety of seams and weaves will help make your steering wheel different from others. And if it’s so easy to make a steering wheel braid, then why not save on the services of a car studio?
To make driving comfortable, many drivers buy special covers for the steering wheel. This modification creates convenience and makes your hands less tired. Plus, the interior of the cabin is changing for the better. Today there are a lot of different offers on the market. However, you can tighten the steering wheel yourself. The most practical and convenient material for tuning a steering wheel is genuine leather. The use of artificial substitutes is not recommended. Since they do not have proper elasticity and wear out quickly.
Tools and materials for reupholstery
Covering the steering wheel with leather yourself involves using the following materials and tools:
To make a template (pattern), it is best to use cling film and wide masking tape.
Thick paper or cardboard.
A stationery or other sharp knife, marker or pencil.
Durable and high-quality thread, preferably nylon.
For safe and convenient sewing, you will need two thimbles for the middle finger.
Durable sewing needles made of hardened steel.
High quality soft genuine leather.
A screwdriver and a wrench to remove and then install the steering wheel.
To cover the steering wheel with leather yourself, it is advisable to use two types of material, perforated and smooth leather. The combination of two different textures will not only create an original and pleasant aesthetic appearance, but will also provide comfort for working with the steering wheel.
Perforated leather has increased elasticity. It is soft and comfortable to work with. Smooth leather, in turn, is more resistant to wear. Therefore, if you combine them together, you get a durable, soft and quite abrasion-resistant material. Experts believe that leather with a thickness of 1.2-1.4 mm is optimal for steering wheel covers. You can choose any skin color, it all depends on your taste. As a rule, the most popular cases are made of leather in dark shades. The most commonly used material is black.
Leather steering wheel template
In order for the steering wheel to be reupholstered with your own hands to a high quality, you must first make a pattern. To do this, first make a template from film and tape. First of all, remove the steering wheel, having previously removed the signal cover. Then unscrew the nut securing the steering wheel to the shaft and remove the steering wheel from the splines, swinging it in different directions.
After that, using cling film and masking tape, we make a model of the steering wheel and a template for the pattern. We wrap the steering wheel with film. We glue paper-based masking tape on top. Mark the places where you plan to make seams with a marker or pencil. Then carefully cut out the tape along these lines. The result should be four elements, one rectangular and three cross-shaped. We unfold and number all the details for the template. After that, we place them on cardboard or thick paper and make patterns of a similar shape for the pattern.
Leather pattern
To make an original case, you first need to look through various sketches and choose the most suitable one. Of course, only four solutions can be implemented. However, you can make each sector from two or more elements, combining different textures or skin tones. Naturally, this will require more time and effort, but the end result is worth it. You can search the Internet for various options and choose the most convenient and practical. After you have decided on the design of the case, we place the pieces of leather on the table and make patterns using a stationery knife.
When making patterns, it is very important not to miss the next essential point. Each sector of the template is transferred to the skin not strictly according to its shape, but with a small margin. That is, after you have laid the template on the leather, you need to cut it out by 1.0-1.5 cm from the edge of the sector. This margin will be needed to ensure the necessary strength of the seams. Otherwise, after a short period of use, the seams will come apart, and you’ll just have to throw the cover away. As a result, you will need to reupholster the steering wheel with leather yourself.
After the pieces of leather are cut, attach them to the steering wheel and check that all sectors are cut correctly and match in size, taking into account the seam allowance. If necessary, all excess can be trimmed, because all patterns are made with sufficient margin. Once you are sure that all the elements are prepared and correspond to the design intent, you can start sewing.
Preparing a leather case
First, we lay out all the parts on the table in accordance with how they will be located in the case and begin to sew them together in the given order. The edges of the sectors must be swept to avoid tightening of the skin during use. The parts must be sewn together with strong nylon threads, departing from the edge at least 3 mm. All parts are sewn together completely in the form of a ring, with the exception of those seams that you previously marked with a marker.
After the workpiece is completely sewn and all edges are sewn, carefully pull the cover onto the steering wheel so that the joints of the seams are in the places of the cuts. We smooth out the material and eliminate sagging. Some experts advise “setting” the skin on glue or epoxy resin. However, in any case it is necessary to sew the edges.
Video - Covering the steering wheel with leather
So, now the most important thing to do is to tighten the edges of the cover so that it is securely fixed to the steering wheel. This procedure is very troublesome, time-consuming and requires a lot of time. First of all, you should decide on the place where the seam will begin. Here you first need to secure the thread, and then you can carefully sew. When tightening the edges of the cover in the area of the signal cover, it is recommended to coat the edges of the leather with rubber glue.
There are many types of seams. However, the most popular are braid, sports and macrame. They look beautiful and form the most durable connection.
Once the cover is completely ready, you can install the steering wheel on the car. The cover may have minor creases. There is no need to worry about this. If you used genuine leather, then due to the increased elasticity of the material, all these flaws will completely disappear over time.