How to make the steering wheel thicker than the constriction. Self-upholstery of the steering wheel with leather or a leather steering wheel with your own hands

Covering the steering wheel with leather is one of the types of car tuning. Often, car owners update their steering wheel after many years of use to improve the appearance and driving comfort.

It also sometimes happens that a car is perfect in all technical characteristics, but the appearance of the interior is not pleasing. This is where tuning comes to the rescue, capable of remaking the car interior to suit all the taste preferences of the owner, as well as threads.

Covering the steering wheel is a creative process and must be approached responsibly.

After all, the steering wheel is what is closest to the driver and with which he is in direct contact while driving.

When making a tight fit, you can independently choose the type and color of the leather, as well as the type of seam and the color of the threads. Any combination is possible: it all depends on what kind of steering wheel the driver wants to hold in his hands.

Let's take a closer look at what a steering wheel cover is and why it is needed

The steering wheel cover not only plays a decorative role, but can also improve the appearance of the car.

By the appearance of the steering wheel you can usually determine how old is the car, but if the steering wheel is new and beautiful, then it will not give out all the details about the car that it can. Also, one of the most important characteristics is the thickness of the steering wheel, which, by the way, is discussed in this video:

Thanks to the constriction, this parameter can be adjusted to the individual preferences of the driver. It will not be possible to make the steering wheel thinner, but it is possible to make the steering wheel thicker 4-8 millimeters. It seems that the difference is not significant but this is 12%-24% of the usual steering wheel thickness.

Another reason for tightening the steering wheel may be the desire to make it soft. Before covering the leather, the steering wheel is covered with porous, soft polyurethane. Soft steering wheels are used in all BMW E65 and M-series.

Tactile sensations play an important role when driving. By choosing high-quality material for covering, you get a guarantee that it will not slip and will hold well in your hands. This will definitely give you confidence when driving.

Summarize. Steering wheel reupholstery is not only a tuning element to improve the appearance of the steering wheel, but also a process that can improve driving performance.

Types and options of covering + materials

• Steering wheel rim reupholstery

  

  The BMW E39 steering wheel rim is perfectly covered in white leather using a herringbone stitch.

  In the easiest way is the steering wheel rim cover. In this type of work, only the rim itself is covered with leather or leatherette, and where it connects with the knitting needles, the material is sheathed and glued.

• Eco-leather steering wheel upholstery

  

  Eco-leather is an excellent material for covering the steering wheel. The main thing is that it is environmentally friendly.

  Eco-leather is an innovative environmentally friendly material.It is very difficult to distinguish it from genuine leather. The material is not very expensive, but high quality and reliable. Eco-leather is very elastic and fits the steering wheel perfectly, and the homogeneous structure of the material looks expensive and organic.

• Original steering wheel reupholstery, choice of threads

  

  If you are very creative and not like everyone else (and also love a blanket and coffee), this type of cover is for you.

  The original (standard wrapping) is an absolute duplication of the factory wrapping of the car's steering wheel. This is an ideal option for those who are completely satisfied with their car and need a cover only for updating.

  Usually, when reupholstering the steering wheel in this way, genuine leather is used. Do not forget that there is only automotive leather and it cannot be replaced with leather for furniture or shoes.

  Automotive leather has special characteristics, such as:

  1. resistance to temperature changes;
  2. resistance to various types of mechanical and chemical damage;
  3. abrasion resistance.

  Upholstery is also possible according to your own sketches using complex geometry and expensive materials. For example, inserts made of expensive wood, which will make the car exquisite and unique of its kind.

The types of seams play a special role

It all depends on how I trim the steering wheel. Asian and American car manufacturers cover the steering wheel from four pieces of leather, which is why there are four seams. German manufacturers do the same from one piece of leather, and there is only one seam.

Germans use macrame seam, it looks very aesthetically pleasing, smooth, it uses thin threads, and it does not lift the skin.


And here Korean and Japanese manufacturers most often use a seam "herringbone" or "braid". These seams raise the skin, causing it to become slightly convex; thick threads are usually used.


In principle, it is not particularly important which seam will be used, the main thing is that the work is done efficiently and painstakingly, and then the result will be high quality and beautiful.



Types and options of seams. Click to enlarge

Instructions for reupholstering a steering wheel with leather at home

There is another option for re-upholstering the steering wheel. With the help of step-by-step instructions, it is not so difficult to do it yourself. In order to get started, you need to arm yourself with all the necessary materials and tools.

You will need:

1. 2 strong semicircular gypsy needles;
2. nylon thread;
3. stationery knife;
4. pencil or pen;
5. awl;
6. pliers;
7. roofing scissors;
8. cardboard;
9. marker;
10. a convenient place to work where you can secure the steering wheel.

To ensure everything goes well, follow the step-by-step instructions!

• To get started, we remove the steering wheel from the car, disassemble it, wash it and dry it to perfect condition. Before starting work, of course, you need to decide on the seam that will be used.
• The next step is to make markings. To do this, take cling film, wrap the steering wheel, then wrap it with mounting tape. We apply markings with a marker and carefully cut along the contours with a stationery knife. We remove and carefully smooth out the elements - this is our sketch.
• We attach the sketch to the skin, make markings along the edges, retreating 5 millimeters. This 5 mm will be used to tighten the skin. We cut out the elements and sew them into one large round ribbon.
• Soak the resulting product in warm water for twenty minutes. We wipe it, dry it, but not completely, and put it on the steering wheel. To avoid making mistakes, we handle the leather carefully, as it is wet and elastic and can be easily damaged.
• The next step will be marking. We apply it to the cardboard through every 8 mm lines. We apply it to the leather on the steering wheel and make holes every 8 mm with an awl.

  The work must be done gradually so that the seam is even. It is advisable to sew 10 holes on each side and then continue. Treat your work responsibly and slowly, otherwise you will get dressed up and redo the work.

That's all. Share, like, tell your friends,
Ask questions and suggest your options in the comments!

1. Zoya

   My review

   I never thought that covering the steering wheel with leather is so important for men... now from my own experience I can say that most men do it for their image - they want to show the level of their well-being and the solidity of their car. My husband did this out of necessity when he bought a less than new vehicle. I had to use my sewing experience and cover its steering wheel, it’s good that there were examples of various techniques in the article... now, instead of the usual suits and dresses, I make good money from this business. By the way, men really like soft leather, but seams don’t matter to them!

2. Natalia

   My husband reupholstered the steering wheel with leather himself. I used the instructions given above. It's good that there are such educational sites. The entire re-upholstery process is clearly outlined.
   Did it easily and simply. It even turned out very beautiful, and most importantly, it was comfortable. The steering wheel does not slip, the hand does not sweat. We would like to reupholster the interior in the future. This process is described on the website page.

3. Svetlana
4. Andrey

   We did a reupholstery last summer on the E60 in the M package. The steering wheel was trimmed. I chose the original leather as it was, but the color of the threads is in the M range: blue and red. It looked good. It looks like in the first video. And it was very pleasant to the touch, I didn’t want to let it go from my hands. I’m definitely in favor of re-upholstery!

   Oh, why didn’t I come across this article earlier! ?My husband likes the leather steering wheel, it feels good on his hand. And we recently did the fitting, but without instructions. I sat and sketched the steering wheel to scale, and then drew the patterns. It worked the second time. But since I found the instructions, I’ll do some “work on the mistakes.” But somehow it turned out rather clumsily.

5. Laura

   Our Lada Eight was about 10 years old when my husband started thinking about re-upholstering the steering wheel. The plastic has become very worn out during use! We found soft black leather, we have an old Zinger sewing machine that sews leather perfectly. We carefully stitched according to a pattern we had made ourselves and made a mistake. We wanted to make it more beautiful, so we took it to a workshop, where we put metal rivets on the holes for the lacing. The case turned out beautiful! But when we removed it a few years later, it turned out that the rivets had severely scratched the steering wheel. Now they have reupholstered it with new leather, without rivets.

   Covering the steering wheel with leather yourself is not a very complicated process, which will save on hiring specialists. The first covering can cause some trouble.

Every car owner tries to keep the vehicle clean and tidy, jealously monitoring its condition both inside and outside. And if the appearance is easy to put in order with a regular car wash, then the condition of some interior elements requires more drastic measures. Such elements include a car steering wheel, which quickly loses its presentability due to constant use. To breathe new life into it and give it freshness, the steering wheel is reupholstered with leather or other material. We'll figure out how to do this below.

disassembling the steering wheel

Due to the demand for the service, there are many different braid options on the market, in any size and color. The choice is so wide that car owners are often lost, not knowing what to choose. If you decide to reupholster your steering wheel with leather, but don’t know where to start, pay attention to the following information:

• The steering wheel of different vehicles has different sizes. Before reupholstering, decide on its exact dimensions. The situation is made easier by the fact that manufacturers label their products, indicating which category of cars their product will fit into;
• Do not under any circumstances use a braid made of eco-leather or other material for reupholstery if it is larger than the steering wheel. The braid will not fit tightly on the steering wheel, which creates a high risk of slipping when maneuvering. This will end badly for both you and those around you;
• The choice of material affects not only the appearance and the final price. A leather-wrapped steering wheel will last much longer than a leatherette one;

Types of braids and covers for car steering wheels

Steering wheel braids are:

1. In the form of a one-piece case;
2. With lacing;

The covers are easier to put on, and it is easier to select them by size simply by applying them to the steering wheel. Pros of choice:

• Easy to choose the right size;
• Dress quickly;

Flaws:

1. You cannot buy covers of the wrong size. They will dangle on the steering wheel or will not fit at all;

Cases with laces differ from regular ones:

• Beautiful appearance;
• Pleasant to the touch;
• Easy to use;

Disadvantage of lacing:

1. Long lacing;
2. Lacing must be done carefully, otherwise it is easy to damage the braid;

The following materials are used for re-upholstering the steering wheel:

• Rubber with various inserts;
• Skin;
• Plush;
• Leatherette;

Note! It will cost the driver the most to cover the steering wheel with leather, but it will last much longer than conventional materials. Budget options include leatherette products.

Grinding the steering wheel

Do-it-yourself steering wheel reupholstery instructions

Reupholstering an old steering wheel with leather with your own hands is a painstaking and responsible task, which should not be rushed. The procedure consists of the following steps:

1. Preparation of necessary tools and materials;
2. Making a pattern for the steering wheel;
3. Sewing;

Each stage has its own nuances that affect the final result. Let's take a closer look at them.

Materials and tools

The easiest part, the execution of which is the same for most cases. The driver will need to prepare:

• Knife with a sharp blade;
• A needle strong enough to stitch the selected material for reupholstering the steering wheel;
• Thimbles that will protect your fingers from damage;
• Pencil;
• Strong thread;
• Painting tape;
• Food film;
• Scissors;
• A piece of cardboard. Choose cardboard of medium thickness so that it can hold its shape firmly;

At this point the preparatory stage ends and we can move on to the pattern.

Making a pattern for the steering braid

The algorithm of actions for making a leather pattern is as follows:

1. We dismantle the steering wheel;
2. We remove the old, worn braid;
3. Carefully wrap the steering wheel with cling film. Try not to allow wrinkles to form;
4. Painting tape is wrapped over the cling film on the steering wheel;
5. Use a marker to mark the places where the seam will go;
6. Carefully draw a knife along the marks, cutting the tape with film;
7. We remove them and smooth them carefully;
8. To prevent the material from curling up, place a heavy object on it and leave it under pressure for 12 - 20 hours;
9. We take cardboard and attach a mock-up of tape to it;
10. We trace the outline with a pencil, and then cut it out;
11. We cut out pieces of leather, the dimensions of which correspond to the cardboard parts;
12. The pattern is ready, let's move on to sewing;

Note! In the end, you should end up with 4 parts that, after sewing, will take the shape of a steering wheel cover.

Lacing pattern

Sewing braids yourself

You should only undertake sewing steering wheel braid yourself if you have experience in doing such things. Beginners who have never done sewing are strongly recommended to turn to specialists. Otherwise, there is a high probability of screwing up the prepared pattern. If you decide to sew on your own for the first time, follow these tips:

• Take your time;
• In addition to the main joints, sew the cover along the edge, retreating 0.5 centimeters from the edge;
• The stronger the thread used when sewing, the better;

The finished leather cover should fit on the steering wheel with little effort. If the cover dangles loosely on the steering wheel, something has gone wrong. Here are some tips to help make the installation process easier:

1. Place the leather case in water and keep it there for 15 minutes. This will increase the elasticity of the material, making it easier to reupholster;
2. Choose a strong, but at the same time thin needle;
3. You should start lacing from the bottom of the steering wheel and move up clockwise;

lacing process

Methods of installation on a steering wheel with and without spokes

If the leather cover was made without taking into account the covering of the spokes, it is not necessary to remove the steering wheel. Otherwise, before reupholstering, you will have to dismantle it. Otherwise, it will not be possible to secure the cover correctly. The algorithm for dismantling the steering wheel for your car can be easily found on the Internet. Follow these instructions and there shouldn't be any problems.

Types of steering braid lacing

There are the following types of leather steering wheel lacing:

• Regular stitch;
• Zigzag;
• Pentagonal stitch;
• Diamond-shaped;
• Hexagonal stitch;

These are the most common lacing methods.

How to cover a steering wheel with leather yourself

If some steps in the process of covering a steering wheel with leather with your own hands are not easy for you or are not clear, watch the video, which explains in detail all the stages of repairing a leather steering wheel. Following his instructions, even a beginner will be able to reupholster the steering wheel with leather quickly and without problems.

The steering wheel is the most important link between the car and the driver. For this reason, a huge number of factors influence how the driver feels and controls the car. The steering wheel is also an important detail in the interior.

Agree, standard steering wheels in most cases can be called one, albeit rude word - squalor. If the covering was previously made in good quality, then time has not been kind to them: dirty spots, scratches, cuts, protruding threads, torn seams, etc. This means that the steering trim urgently needs to be changed, no matter how familiar, beloved and convenient it was for the driver. Every person has a unique taste. Some drivers like the smooth, polished steering wheel. For others, exclusive options are close to their hearts, and they cover the steering wheel with crocodile or snake leather. But, most drivers choose the classic option - black textured leather. After all, a leather-covered car steering wheel makes it easier to control and maneuver, which means, if necessary, to avoid an emergency situation. Plus, this option fits perfectly into the interior of the car, regardless of what color and material was used for the interior lining of the car.

Where is the best place to tighten the steering wheel?

Steering wheel reupholstery is a fairly popular and widespread service. For this reason

in St. Petersburg there are companies that will remake your steering wheel in 6 hours

beyond recognition and breathe new life. Of course this work costs money. But to save money, you can make the steering wheel braid yourself and cover it with leather. This procedure does not require special super skills. Yes, and tools can be found in any sewing store. As a result, you get an exclusive design in a single version.

Choosing material

Before you start reupholstering the steering wheel with your own hands, you need to decide on the material and color. To create a braid, it is better to use genuine leather. The advantages of this material:

• Strength;
• Durability;
• Feels good in the hand;
• Easier to drive.

Attention! If you decide to make a steering wheel cover with your own hands, you should choose car leather. It is designed specifically to operate over a wide temperature range and has a long service life.

Alcantara is a good alternative to leather.

Types of leather for steering wheel

Rules for choosing leather for steering wheel reupholstery

In order for the leather braid on the steering wheel to be made at a high level with your own hands, you should adhere to the following rules:

1. Naturalness. It is better to use genuine leather to cover a car steering wheel. It is of higher quality than artificial.
2. Thickness. It is worth choosing the correct and optimal skin thickness. The thin one will quickly wear out, and in the near future you will again need to reupholster the steering wheel with leather yourself. Or already order the service in the salon. You should not choose too thick a material; you will be tortured by piercing the skin. Suitable size 1.3mm, plus/minus 0.2mm.
3. Skin extensibility. Good and “correct” elasticity ensures a tight fit on the steering wheel. Choose medium skin stretch.
4. Perforation. Working with perforated material is much more pleasant and convenient. It is more resistant to wear than regular ones.

Selecting Tools

To make a leather steering wheel cover yourself, for any car you will need the same set of tools:

• A skein of strong thread of the required color. It is better to use nylon threads;
• Several thimbles to protect your fingers;
• A set of steel needles used to stitch leather. Steel hardness up to 50 HRC;
• Masking tape;
• High density cardboard A3 format. It is necessary for making a pattern;
• Roll of cling film;
• A marker or felt-tip pen with a thick rod. A pencil will also work;
• A sharp knife, a stationery knife will do;
• Glue. An alternative is epoxy resin;
• Powerful hair dryer.

Tools for re-upholstering the steering wheel

As you can see, the necessary set of tools can be found in any construction and sewing store. That's why DIY leather steering wheel wrap will not become an impossible and supernatural task.

How to properly remove the steering wheel

Before you make the leather braid for the steering wheel yourself, you need to remove it correctly so that there are no errors with the airbag. Everything must be done in a certain sequence:

1. Remove the terminals from the battery.
2. Unscrew the lower screws of the steering column housing.
3. Remove the plastic on the steering column.
4. Lower the steering wheel adjustment lock and remove the remaining plastic.
5. Align the car's wheels.
6. There are holes on the left and right sides of the steering wheel. There are bolts or spokes that need to be pressed out with a slotted screwdriver..
7. Remove the block with the cushion and the signal button.
8. Remove the chips from the steering wheel.
9. Unscrew the steering wheel.
10. Use a marker to place marks on the steering wheel and on the threaded part where the nut was secured. This will help you put the steering wheel back correctly.
11. Tap the circle of the steering wheel with a rubber hammer to make it “jump”.
12. It is better to secure the steering column element (snail) with electrical tape to prevent it from turning.

Removing the car steering wheel

These manipulations are the most difficult, because Covering the steering wheel with leather yourself is not difficult. Some experienced craftsmen do not remove the steering wheel and perform the reupholstery “on the spot”. This requires certain skills and abilities. It is not recommended for beginners to do this.

Steering wheel reupholstery

In this chapter you will learn how to cover your steering wheel with genuine leather yourself. In general, the whole process is divided into two stages:

• Pattern;
• Steering wheel reupholstery.

If you correctly perform all the actions in the first stage, then in the second (re-tightening the steering wheel) you will not have any difficulties.

Making a pattern

To understand how to tighten leather yourself, all actions must be performed according to clear instructions and in a certain sequence. Otherwise, it will come out unevenly and you will have difficulty driving the car.

Removing old leather from steering wheel

1. After removing the steering wheel, you need to get rid of the old braid. You don't need it, just cut along the seams and remove the worn material.
2. Wrap the steering wheel with cling film. You shouldn’t skimp on the material, but you should wrap the steering wheel carefully. Eliminate the occurrence of differences and irregularities.
3. Place masking tape on top of the cling film. Be sure to use a marker to mark the places where the seams will go.
4. According to these markings, cut the wound tape. This will be the layout. The tape will roll into a tube. Flatten it and press it down with a heavy object. Leave it overnight. The next morning the layout will be smooth and neat. Or straighten the tape layout using a hot iron.
5. Use the finished layout for a cardboard base. Cardboard is stronger than tape.
6. You will get 4 layout elements. Using their sample, we apply it to the skin and cut out the material of the required size.
7. All elements of the pattern must be numbered so as not to be confused and to understand the final location of the pieces.

Steering wheel cover

Having basic sewing skills, the question of how to remake a steering wheel with leather yourself will not be a problem. All you need is accuracy and correct and consistent execution of actions. The car will get a unique, designer and beautiful steering wheel, made by yourself.

1. You need to take a strong thread. Thread it into the needle.
2. Before starting the sheathing, remove excess leather.
3. Apply glue or epoxy resin to the surface of the steering wheel. This way, there is no further scrolling of the skin, which means that the possibility of an emergency situation is eliminated.
4. Start covering the steering wheel with leather.
5. Make all the holes for the firmware in advance. This simplifies this stage of work. Make holes with a sewing machine or an awl.
6. It is necessary to retreat approximately 2 millimeters from the edge of the leather workpiece. If you make a seam closer to the edge, the skin will simply tear under tension. The distance between stitches should be 1-2 millimeters.
7. Carefully place the elements in the correct order and begin stitching.

Stitching leather on steering wheel

Experienced craftsmen, in order not to use glue and to ensure that the leather fits tightly to the steering wheel, moisten the material in warm water. This helps it become more elastic. When the leather dries, it fits more tightly to the steering wheel due to the reduction of the workpiece.

Final stages

Having completed the firmware, you need to dry the updated leather car steering wheel, made by yourself, with a hairdryer. You help smooth out wrinkles on the surface of the steering wheel. Afterwards you need to wait for the glue to dry completely. If traces of it remain on the surface of the braid, they can be removed with gasoline. Take a dry rag, apply a small amount of gasoline to it, and wipe the steering wheel. The unpleasant smell will disappear within a day.

Now return the updated steering wheel to its rightful place. All steps described in the subtitle “How to properly remove the steering wheel” should be performed in reverse order. By the way, when re-upholstering the steering wheel, you can simultaneously install heating.

Now you know how to make your own steering wheel braid yourself. Not everyone can get a leather steering wheel covered perfectly the first time: the threads or the workpiece may break. Don't be discouraged, working with leather requires certain skills and abilities. A separate segment of drivers who cover the steering wheel with leather themselves can do this the third or fourth time. Practice on cheap material for the first time so that you don’t feel bad for the money you spent. But remember, leather braiding is the most reliable and durable. It is this material that will delight you and serve faithfully for many years.

The steering wheel is used by the driver during the entire driving time. It is this that first of all receives all reactions in the form of stroking or pushing, expressing anger, joy or annoyance from the person who is sitting at the steering wheel. Driving safety can also depend on the quality of the car steering wheel.

Do-it-yourself braiding on the steering wheel will help minimize the risks from inconvenient operation of the steering wheel. One of the advantages of self-installation is the selection of individual materials and colors to match the overall interior decor.

The choice of upholstery determines the method of its fastening, further care for it, as well as the durability of the selected material.

Leather braids

It is customary to use natural leather as upholstery material. It is more durable and practical to process. The material is selected with or without perforation. The presence of holes helps to add volume to the product and is also an additional decoration. It's also a bit visually smooths out possible unevenness surfaces or minor technical problems during processing.

Leather braid

Leather is the most comfortable of materials due to its performance qualities.

It is easy to care for and is also more hygienic than other braid options. This point is especially relevant in cases where the car has several drivers. The leather steering wheel can be easily wiped with an antiseptic solution before driving. This procedure is not dangerous for the material, but will protect you from receiving “unwanted surprises.”

High-quality material may initially scare you off due to its price. However, not worth saving on such an important part of the car. The price will pay off with a long period of use, a good mood while driving and easy care.

Fur braids on the steering wheel

The use of fur braids only in the first couple of days can be of interest; then such an impractical and easily soiled material will bring more negative emotions when driving. Fur wrinkles quickly in areas of the most intensive use. The pile also gets dirty too quickly and loses its aesthetic appearance, especially light colors.

Fur braided steering wheel

Between the villi a large amount of dust and dirt gets clogged, which reduces the level of hygiene for such a frequently used control. In summer, hands quickly sweat, the pile can also get wet, which causes slippage when controlling. This factor can affect the safety of driving a vehicle.

Braided wire braids

Wire braids were once fashionable on cars. They were often used to decorate mainly domestic VAZ models. The practicality of this option lies in the relative strength of the plastic wire winding. It rarely wore out even with intensive use.

However, compared to artificial leather or genuine leather the woven base is not as cute and not hygienic enough. Dirt quickly collects between loose coils and is not so easy to remove. The use of solutions with household cleaning chemicals helps to restore a neat appearance.

Braided braids for VAZ

In winter, such material quickly “stiffens” and warms up poorly. You have to use gloves while driving.

Useful braids on the steering wheel

By making your own braid, you can make it not only beautiful, but also useful. For this purpose, special massage inserts are made in the outer part. They improve the usability of the steering wheel and also help improve blood microcirculation in the palms and fingers.

Along with massage seat covers, this braid helps during long car journeys.

You can install heating under a self-made braid. The option will be useful for all drivers in Russia, since the cold season in our country lasts for several months. The button to turn on the heating can be displayed on the instrument panel.

Upholstery color and thickness

Don't choose trendy colors. They can quickly get boring, and you will need to re-upholster them again. And since it’s unlikely to be possible to sew a braid on the steering wheel quickly, you will have to drive for some time with the old, boring steering wheel constriction.

Original braid

It is advisable to select a material that is not too thick so that your hands don't get tired. For short distances this is not a significant factor, but when driving a thick steering wheel for a long time, fatigue will be noticeable.

Volumetric inserts

It is unlikely that foam inserts under the braid will help. At first they will add softness, although they will increase the thickness of the wheel. For cars with a thin steering wheel, this may be a bonus, but during operation such a thickener is quite will quickly lose shape. Due to this state of the foam, the outer material will sag and scroll along its diameter.

For those who do not know how to make a voluminous braid on the steering wheel with their own hands and at the same time maintain the shape of the “steering wheel” for a long time, we can advise use pads with gel filler. It will not flatten, since it is based on containers with an incompressible substance. It is enough to protect such a steering wheel from punctures and burns.

Braid with gel inserts

Basic parameters for selection

In order to determine the required size of material for the braid, you do not need to remove the steering wheel. All you need to do is take a tailor's yardstick and take measurements along the outside of the rim. This will be the basic setting. You also need to measure the diameter of the rim to determine the required width of the upholstery strip.

In this case, an addition of 3-5 mm per seam is taken into account. Most often, the outer diameter is in the range of 35-41 cm. A smaller steering wheel is typical for sports cars, and a larger diameter is preferred for luxury cars. In addition to aesthetic perception, there are legally approved standards for steering wheel sizes.

Types of lacing with nylon thread

According to Russian GOST, the rim diameter should not exceed 40 mm.

Not all traffic police officers are on duty with calipers to take measurements, but if there is an obvious discrepancy, you can be punished for such an excess.

Sewing braids yourself

Reliable tools and high-quality, carefully selected material will help you get a good result. Let's give example of leather steering wheel tuning. To make a braid you will need to stock up on the following set:

• leather strip approximately 120x10 cm in size and several additional flaps;
• lasting nylon cord for stitching, about 3 meters, it can be replaced with leather twine;
• breakdown for perforation for lace;
• minimum two needles from 50 mm long and a hook with a small head for tightening nylon thread;
• pair of tailors thimbles;
• skein cling film and a roll of tape;
• drawing A1 sheet for the pattern.

Decorative seam on braid

There are two options for steering wheel trim. In one case, only steering wheel tuning is used, and in the second, the spokes are also upholstered. Both options, when carefully executed, look nice, but the method of decoration without upholstering the spokes is considered to be less labor-intensive.

Spokeless steering wheel cover

In this case, you can get by with a strip of leather, the length of which is calculated using the formula, multiplying the number pi (3.14) by the length of the diameter. Additionally, you can use a tailor's meter to take empirical measurements of the outer circumference. In this case, until the last stitching of the tape into a ring, you need to put a little tension on the skin, as it will stretch slightly on the steering wheel.

The ring can be made not only from a single piece, but also from combinations of perforated and smooth elements, material with embossed milling or relief embossing, using multi-colored inserts of various leather tones that harmoniously fit into the overall interior of the cabin.

Types of seams

The allowances left for sewing the braided parts together are will need to be coated with glue for skin. This operation will add strength and subsequently prevent the threads used to connect the pattern pieces from standing out at the joints. The seams may protrude due to the allowances of the leather. This can be removed by lightly tapping the seals with a hammer.

Holes are prepared for lacing using a punch. It is a metal tube with one edge sharpened. By pointing it with this side on the skin, on the other side you need to hit it with a hammer, you will get a hole. The excess skin will go into the puncture hole.

Having marked along the entire side for stitching, you can punch out perforations for lacing with thread or leather twine. It is difficult to buy such string separately, and finding a long two-meter piece of genuine leather is almost impossible. For this purpose it is used a device made from a knitting needle and a sharpened pencil.

Making a leather cord

They are tightly held together with tape and a spiral is drawn on a piece of leather. The tip of the knitting needle is held above the line drawn with a pencil. Parallelism is maintained between the edges of such an Archimedean spiral, which most engineers studied in universities. The thickness of the twine must be at least 3-4 mm, otherwise it will break if pulled too hard.

To pull such a cord you will need to use an awl. The process will be longer, but the result will be more original than stitching with nylon thread.

It will be more convenient to start lacing immediately after the knitting needle. This way the knot will not be “conspicuous”. The operation is performed using several types of cross lacing. The simplest options are cross stitches or sequential stitches. It is preferable to tighten after a complete passage along the sector between the nearest knitting needles.

For better fixation, you can pour a little shoe glue into the cut between the braid and the steering wheel with a syringe until it is completely tightened. Heating the glued surfaces with a hair dryer will better distribute the liquid. Additionally, smoothing is applied along the outside of the braid.

Punch for perforation

Knots of nylon cords must be coated with superglue so that they don't come undone. The nylon slides together, and a small amount of glue will fix it in one place.

Spoke steering wheel cover

A more complex option involves making a pattern for sewing upholstery. It is done using cling film and wrapping bark around all areas for new upholstery. We fix this base with molar tape. After this, we draw the seams with a marker and number the resulting pattern pieces. On a separate sheet we draw a diagram of the location of the numbered parts.

Now you can carefully cut the masking tape along the marked seams. We straighten the resulting parts and outline them on sheet A1. Then we cut out the patterns taking into account the addition of dimensions for the joining seams.

Step 1. Wrap with film, then with tape and number the sectors Step 2. Forming patterns for sectors Step 3. Try on the sewn patterns on the steering wheel Step 4. Sew up all seams Step 5. Install the decor and buttons in their places

We sew the parts together using a machine along the length of the steering wheel. You definitely need to make a little tension. Punching perforations for lacing. Now you can fix the braid on the steering wheel and lace up the seam. First you need to remove the plastic decor and the airbag cartridge. After lacing, we return everything to its place. If necessary, glue the gap between the steering wheel and the upholstery. Dry the glue with a hairdryer.

To add comfort to driving, many motorists buy special covers for the steering wheel. This modification not only improves comfort, but also reduces fatigue in the driver’s hands. Thanks to this innovation, the interior also changes for the better.

Today, the automobile market is simply inundated with similar products. But why pay more if you can create an original designer case in half a day? The best material for the steering wheel is, of course, genuine leather. It is not recommended to take dermantine or other artificial substitutes, because they wear out quickly and do not have the necessary elasticity.

Steering wheel reupholstery - tools and materials

Reupholstering the steering wheel yourself involves using the following tools and materials:

• Masking tape or cling film are perfect for making a pattern;
• Cardboard or thick paper.
• Pencil/marker, sharp knife (preferably a stationery knife).
• Reliable and durable thread - nylon is the best choice.
• Don't forget about thimbles for your fingers - safety first.
• Sewing needles made of hardened steel.
• A set of screwdrivers and wrenches that will be needed to install and remove the steering wheel.
• And most importantly - soft natural leather.

For manual tightening, it is recommended to take two types of material: smooth and perforated leather. This combination will provide comfort while driving and give the interior an aesthetic appearance. Perforated leather has high elasticity. Smooth leather is known for its resistance to wear and tear. Therefore, if you combine these two layers, you get a strong, soft, elastic material. Numerous experiments have shown that the best choice is leather with a thickness of 1.2-1.4 millimeters. The most popular color is black, but you can choose another color – it’s a matter of taste.

Create a template

In order to achieve high-quality leather covering of the steering wheel with your own hands, you need to start working by making a pattern. The template can be created from tape and film. We remove the steering wheel (do not forget to remove the signal cover), then unscrew the fastening nut connecting the steering device to the shaft. When removing the steering wheel, you need to swing it in different directions. Next, we make a model of the steering wheel from masking tape and cling film, and then a template. This is done like this:

1. The steering wheel is wrapped with film.
2. Painting tape is placed on top.
3. The places where the seams will be are marked with a pencil or marker.
4. Carefully cut out the tape along the lines. As a result, you should have four elements in front of you: three cruciform and one rectangular.
5. We unfold all the parts for the workpiece and number them.
6. Next, we lay them out on thick paper (cardboard) and make patterns of the same shape that will be used for the pattern.

Leather pattern for steering wheel cover

Now you need to decide what style you want to reupholster the steering wheel. To do this, you can get acquainted with various sketches. But it is unlikely that many solutions can be obtained from four elements. But you can always make each sector from several elements by combining different shades of material. Of course, it will take more time, and also effort. But the result will be a designer work of art. The best place to look for ideas is the Internet: there are a huge number of variations with a case. When we have figured out the design, we can lay out the leather on the work surface and begin the pattern.

You will come across a huge number of seams. But among motorists, the following styles are more popular: braid, macrame and sports. They form the strongest possible connection and also look great on the steering wheel

While doing this procedure, do not miss an important point: each sector of the template is transferred to the skin with a small margin. That is, you lay out the template and cut out 1-1.5 centimeters more from the edges. This reserve is needed for increased strength of the seams. If the skin is close to each other, then there is a high probability that the seams will come apart. Therefore, it is worth tightening the steering wheel well the first time, so as not to redo it later.

Once you have cut out the pieces you need, check that the dimensions are correct, taking into account the stock: simply apply the leather to the steering wheel. Don't be upset if you overdo it with the stock - you can always remove the excess with scissors.

After all procedures are completed, you can start sewing.

We make a case

Work loves order - we lay out materials and tools on the table in accordance with how they will be located in the case. We sew the elements in the given order. You should sweep the edges of each sector so that there is no tightening of the skin in the future. For stitching, the best choice would be strong nylon threads - you need to retreat at least 3 millimeters from the edge . All parts, except the marked seams, must be sewn in the form of a ring.

After you have all the edges sewn and the workpiece is completely sewn, begin to pull the new cover onto the steering wheel so that the seam joints are in the places of the cuts. Afterwards we eliminate sagging and smooth the skin. You can put the skin on epoxy resin or glue - but this is everyone’s choice.

Steering wheel reupholstery - the final stage

The reupholstery of the steering wheel has not yet been completed, the last stage remains. We need to tighten the edges of the cover so that it is tightly fixed to the steering wheel. We warn you that this procedure is quite labor-intensive and can take a lot of time. First of all, decide where the seam will start. You need to secure the thread and then sew the cover together with careful and precise movements. In the place where the edge tie touches the signal cover, you need to thoroughly coat the edges of the leather with glue - preferably if it is rubber glue.

When work on the cover is completed, you can safely install the steering wheel on the car. You may see slight creases on the cover - this is not a big deal. If you took natural high-quality leather, all minor defects will disappear over time due to increased elasticity. As you can see, covering a steering wheel with leather yourself is accessible not only to craftsmen; the main thing is patience and minimal sewing skills.

Steering wheel reupholstery on video