Leather wrapping a steering wheel?

[Jim Timber]

I got a new to me truck a couple weeks ago and the hard plastic wheel has a blister at 4:30 that's bugging me. Today while trying to find some repair parts for my Tahoe (bounced a deer off the grill), I pulled a steering wheel from another ford (new truck is a F350) that has the same cruise control buttons and airbag; only the new wheel is much softer material and is a couple years older.

So what I'm thinking is that I want to leather wrap the wheel I just got as it'll be more comfortable, while protecting it from wearing out. But I don't want a cheesy add-on wrap that just goes around the rim - I want to make the whole thing leather with seams that go between the spokes, not around them (like a factory wrap).

Anyone ever done this? Any pointers?

I've done some vinyl cladding about 20 years ago when I was making custom speaker panels in cars, but I've never sewn leather around a form before. With vinyl, I'd use contact cement and a heat gun, but I never stitched anything. All the seams were hidden.

 

[amaxwell]

I have done a couple of steering wheels with a leather laced on, that looked factory done. Do a search online for a REAL leather cover.
The ones I bought came with the needle and a wax lace with instructions.

 

[Jim Timber]

The ones I'm finding don't have provisions for the spokes. I want to wrap the spokes all the way to the airbag cover - two seams, no unsewn edges.

 

[Rustyiron]

I got a new to me truck a couple weeks ago and the hard plastic wheel has a blister at 4:30 that's bugging me.

10:00 & 2:00 Jim, 10 & 2! :laughing:

 

[almaryholm]

10:00 & 2:00 Jim, 10 & 2! :laughing:

Not with steering wheel AIR BAGS....

 

[Jim Timber]

10:00 & 2:00 Jim, 10 & 2! :laughing:

Still gotta turn... And with 156" wheelbase, that's using a lot of revolutions. :laughing:

 

[Sawyer Rob]

I want to leather wrap the wheel

Anyone ever done this? Any pointers?

Just one pointer: I "heard" it won't come out right, if you don't have your "Gucci shoes" on, while you are wrapping it!

SR

 

[Garandman]

We use Wheelskins.

Leather Steering Wheel Covers Manufacturer and Distributor

Mostly on trucks, we don't want drivers to get carpal tunnel.

 

[Jim Timber]

Just one pointer: I "heard" it won't come out right, if you don't have your "Gucci shoes" on, while you are wrapping it!

SR

I made my own pistol holster 6.5 years ago for my then 1911, and now 2011 (which I also did the assembly/finish machining and parkerizing of), and it's held up great. I had a guy who owned a leather shop sew it for me, but he decided our insane MN taxes were enough and retired to Puerto Rico. I use that holster at least 6 days a week.

I also built a 9mm 2011 gamer gun at the same time, and I affectionately call them the twins (commander is .45)

I don't own any Gucci anything.

The issue I have with Wheelskins and every other generic wheel wrap is they're an unfinished product. The arrow points to what drives me nutty about them. There's a gap where there should be more leather wrapping the spokes all the way to the airbag cover. I'm also too cheap to buy a new wheel for $300. My take-out one was $11.80 after tax. :laughing:

 

[GLyford]

...find an already leather-wrapped one on ebay? Will a navigator one fit?