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View Full Version : My £6 steering wheel fix.

Shawn
7th July 2015, 16:50
http://i59.tinypic.com/zj8qjd.jpg

I used a £5.50 real leather cover kit form china. The thread supplied was awful,like shiny wool. To top it off there wasn't enough of it. Only realised this after getting half the job done.
Tried to find similar but ended up unpicking it all and using.......... Dental Floss! seems ideal its multi-filament nylon wax and Teflon coated. Really easy to pull through and strong.

Beige was available but I didn't know if it would match and since my gear knob was black and all the gaiters where I thought I'd give it a go.

Now I've done this I would quit happily tackle cutting the old one off and using it as a template, but that will be a job for another time;)
roverbarmy
7th July 2015, 18:04
What you need is a "proper" steering wheel!

http://i685.photobucket.com/albums/vv211/clicktick/Rover/Dyed%20wheel_zpskfb1nanj.jpg (http://s685.photobucket.com/user/clicktick/media/Rover/Dyed%20wheel_zpskfb1nanj.jpg.html)

:getmecoat:

Mike
Shawn
7th July 2015, 18:50
£120ish for a wooden one though. I didn't even have to take mine off :D
Now I'm looking at it though I can see the two side spokes want the cover twisting more to cover them.If it will move that is:duh:
ratchet
8th July 2015, 07:43
I suspect the dental floss may dis-colour over time.

If you feel the urge to really blow the budget, 99p will get you a reel of waxed cotton including postage from China.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/New-1mm-Width-Cotton-Wax-Cord-DIY-Jewelry-Beading-Thread-Wire-Rope-8-Colors-/161339796818?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_3&var=&hash=item259099ed52
Shawn
8th July 2015, 08:05
It may not look that good but it has taught me something,I've gained another skill. I'm going to have an eye out for some leather to replicate the original now. Back of an old chair or settee. In beige or blue probably.
Steering wheels look so moulded I thought the leather had been pressed first but it seems not.

I used this video for reference.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n9hNSkl0eKI
LotusLC
8th July 2015, 08:10
It may not look that good but it has taught me something,I've gained another skill. I'm going to have an eye out for some leather to replicate the original now. Back of an old chair or settee. In beige or blue probably.
Steering wheels look so moulded I thought the leather had been pressed first but it seems not.

I used this video for reference.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n9hNSkl0eKI

I think that you have done a nice job there and looks good ;).
Alan123
8th July 2015, 08:18
Nice fit but black cotton would better I think
Shawn
8th July 2015, 08:55
Nice fit but black cotton would better I think

The trouble with getting more thread though is when your ordering online you have no real idea what its like. I almost bought a bobbin but asked a question first and it turned out it was for the smallest beads known so would have been no use to me.:shrug:
ratchet
8th July 2015, 10:54
It may not look that good but it has taught me something,I've gained another skill. I'm going to have an eye out for some leather to replicate the original now. Back of an old chair or settee. In beige or blue probably.


You did a decent job.

Have a look around your local car boot or charity shops. An old leather coat might be long enough to provide a suitable length of leather.

Using your newly acquired skills and left over leather pieces you'll soon be making your own watch straps etc.
DMGRS
8th July 2015, 12:33
My wheel is awful, was contemplating something like this but luckily found a cheap-ish wooden wheel.
Now to find time to fit it... :D
roverbarmy
8th July 2015, 12:41
The trouble with getting more thread though is when your ordering online you have no real idea what its like. I almost bought a bobbin but asked a question first and it turned out it was for the smallest beads known so would have been no use to me.:shrug:
Always buy leather repair goods from a leather specialist. I've used leatherandstuff.co.uk and found everything to be spot on.
Mike
Kennyeth
9th July 2015, 07:04
It looks not too bad but it is how it feels also.
"Stubbie" on here has dye, did you not want to try that?
Ken.
Shawn
9th July 2015, 07:14
It looks not too bad but it is how it feels also.
"Stubbie" on here has dye, did you not want to try that?
Ken.

My thoughts on that were that if the original wore off then so would anything else.
I'm an old biker as well so have used leather dye. I bought those PINK Dainese race boots because they were cheap,then dyed them BLACK only to have the boots turn PURPLE within a year :D:D