How to Leather Wrap a Steering Wheel
A leather wrap steering wheel cover wears over time due to constant use by a driver. The sun can also dry out leather and cause the steering cover to become brittle; even oils on your hands can stain or damage the leather. You can buy a leather wrap kit and do the task yourself instead of hiring someone. The process is somewhat tedious due to sewing; however, you can fulfill the task in a few hours.
Other People Are Reading
Things You'll Need
- String
- Tape measure
- Paper
- Pen
- Leather wrap steering wheel kit
- Wax thread
- Needle
- Scissors
- Tape
Instructions
-
-
1
Measure the outside diameter of your steering wheel with a tape measure. Place one end of the tape measure on the outside rim of the steering wheel; pull out the tape to the opposite side of the wheel. Jot down the outside diameter on a piece of paper.
-
2
Take a piece of string and wrap it around the steering wheel grip. Mark the string with a marker to determine the thickness of the steering wheel. Pull the tape measure outwards and line the string up with the tool to determine how many inches your steering wheel is in thickness. Jot down the information.
-
-
3
Buy a leather wrap steering wheel kit that matches your calculations either online or through an automotive parts store.
-
4
Unpack the kit and read the directions carefully.
-
5
Place the leather wrap over the steering wheel with the thread holes facing towards the horn. Pull leather wrap ends together and place tape every few inches to keep in place. This will help keep the wrap in place while you sew.
-
6
Unravel five feet of wax string and cut. According to Kingsmere Crafts, "It takes about five feet to sew about one foot around the steering wheel rim." A foot of string is plenty to sew between each steering wheel spoke.
-
7
Take the wax string and wrap it around your pointer finger. Thread the end of the string up through the loop on your finger, slide of your finger and pull tight to make a starting knot. Trim off excess thread on the string end, if need be.
-
8
Hold the needle and thread the string end that doesn't have the knot through the needle head.
-
9
Begin threading by pulling the wax string through the right side of the leather wrap from underneath. Thread the needle through the opposite side of the leather wrap. Pull the string tight. Thread the string through the opposite hole and repeat.
-
10
Repeat sewing until you reach a steering wheel spoke. A spoke is one of the contacts between the wheel and steering wheel column. Make a knot close to the wrap and cut off excess string, if need be.
-
11
Cut a new five-foot piece of string. Thread the needle once more and tie a knot on the end. Begin sewing on the opposite end of the steering wheel spoke where you left off by following the above sewing steps.
-
12
Continue sewing between all spokes until the leather wrap is complete. Remove the pieces of tape from the steering wheel cover.
-
1
Tips & Warnings
Avoid using fishing line or cheap thread. Cheap thread or fishing line can dig into the leather and cause rips.
References
Resources
- Photo Credit commute image by robert mobley from Fotolia.com
