How to reupholster a steering wheel with leather yourself? Detailed instructions, photos and videos. Reupholstering the steering wheel with leather at home Do-it-yourself leather steering wheel trim

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 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 should be at 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 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.

Making sure all lines match actual sizes, 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 one 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).

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 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 small 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 over a long period of use, good mood while driving and easy maintenance.

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 slipping when operating. 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

At self-production braiding 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 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

Get good result Reliable tools and high-quality, carefully selected material will help. 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 length from 50 mm 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. Most simple options– cross stitch or consecutive 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.

The steering wheel is the element of the car with which the driver comes into contact most often. This leads to wear on the steering wheel coating and the appearance of abrasions, which not only spoil appearance, but also make driving less comfortable and convenient. In order to restore coverage, many drivers buy from automobile stores. The disadvantage of having a foreign object on the steering wheel is the inconvenience of driving.

In order to give your car's steering wheel a stylish appearance, as well as replace the often poor-quality factory coating with a more comfortable one, it is recommended to reupholster the steering wheel with leather. The best option will do this manually - this way you can not only save on the finished leather covering, but also re-tighten the steering wheel according to your preferences for convenience and beauty. Leather covering not only looks better and lasts longer, but also improves the handling of the car.

Selecting material for steering wheel reupholstery

Nowadays, there are many types of ready-made steering wheel products available in stores. However, the most profitable option would be to create the leather covering yourself. The advantages include not only cost savings, but also the ability to create a unique cover for the steering wheel of a specific car.

The best material for creating the coating is genuine leather. The optimal thickness is 1.3 millimeters, since thinner ones will wear out quickly, and thicker ones have low ductility during processing. In addition, it is desirable that the skin be taken from the sides or back of the animal - this material has the best degree of stretch.

Great option car steering wheel is perforated leather. She has more stylish look, and is also more comfortable when operating the machine due to better friction. At the same time, it is less resistant to damage than smooth.

Before purchasing leather for steering wheel covers, you need to inspect the material for cracks, tears and other defects, as they will manifest themselves during the creation of the cover or already in use. It is necessary to choose the color and texture of the leather so that it matches the style of the salon. In addition, it is recommended to buy leather with a reserve or make sure that the seller has more material, since errors may be made during the process of creating the covering.

The least suitable materials for wear-resistant coating are leatherette and other artificial types of materials. They quickly become unusable and have little elasticity. That is why leather, despite its relative high cost, is the most popular option.

Materials and tools needed to create a leather steering wheel cover

In order to make a high-quality steering wheel coating, you need to use several simple and affordable tools and materials:

• high quality upholstery material;
• a bobbin of durable synthetic thread in the color of the covering material;
• hardened steel needles for working with leather;
• 2 thimbles for pushing the needle;
• a roll of mounting tape;
• A3 sheet of cardboard paper;
• roll of cling film;
• a marker that gives a thick line;
• small scissors;
• two-component strong glue or epoxy resin for working with leather;
• an industrial or powerful household hair dryer for drying glue.

Creating a steering wheel cover template

In order for the steering wheel to be wrapped in leather accurately and of high quality, a pattern is needed. This, in turn, requires the correct template, which will allow the shape of the steering wheel to be transferred to a plane - a pattern for cutting out the leather.

The first step in creating a steering wheel template is to dismantle it. You need to remove the signal cover, and then unscrew the nut holding it on the shaft. Next, it needs to be swung to the sides.

The steering wheel is wrapped in cling film, and several layers of masking tape are applied to it (this way, the tape will stick only to the film). The steering wheel must be divided into several conventional parts - along the joints of the existing coating. As a rule, there are four of them - one central and three with rounded sides. It is important to number or label each item as they are different from each other. To create a pattern, a layer of tape must be pressed onto thin cardboard. Preferably at night.

Creating a pattern for a leather steering wheel cover

The next step after the template is the pattern drawing. The tape mock-up, pressed onto heavy paper, may end up being slightly larger than the size of cover required for the handlebar. However, during use, the leather will first become wrinkled and then smooth out. In addition, an overlap of material is necessary in order to sew the parts - it should be 2 millimeters from the edge. Next, you need to trace the template unfolded on the plane of the cardboard, and then trace it, leaving an overlap.

Sewing leather cover for a car steering wheel

To create the finished steering wheel cover, you need to lay out all the parts on the table so that they will come into contact during use. Next, you need to firmly sew the parts together with strong threads that will withstand a long period of use without wearing out. This is why it is important that the leather, threads and glue have high quality- ideally, such covering is made for years of use.

After the cover has acquired its shape and volume, you need to try it on the steering wheel. It is important that when putting it on the steering wheel, the folds are not too large, since they will not be able to stretch during use and can greatly deform the entire coating when directly exposed to the sun.

To smooth out the seams of the covering against the overall background of the covering, it is recommended to cut grooves on the steering wheel. You can do the same with the edges of parts of the material.

Leather-covered steering wheel

At the stage of fixing the covering on the steering wheel, it is important to give the coating maximum adherence to the surface and the best connection between each other. You need to stitch the material crosswise. In this case, the threads at the junction of the steering wheel spokes are passed through and come from the back side. You can secure the stitches with a double knot at the start of the constriction.

For car enthusiasts who are doing this procedure for the first time and have no experience in reupholstering, it is recommended to use glue or epoxy resin. This will make the fit more reliable and durable, as well as correct certain errors. The glue must be dried with a hairdryer and allowed to dry. Car owners who have previously reupholstered prefer to soak the leather in water - this way, as it dries, the coating fits better due to the reduction in size.

After the glue or the coating itself has dried, you can put the steering wheel in place. The same applies to all parts - alarm covers, buttons, airbags and other devices.

Bottom line

Do-it-yourself reupholstery is a painstaking and monotonous task. However, it allows for a stylish and practical steering wheel cover in a simple and affordable way.

Let's start right off the bat. A secret that is carefully hidden by the owners of car dealerships and studios - you can cover the steering wheel of your Mustang with leather yourself. Even at home. Even without expensive car leather. Even if you don't know how to sew. Follow strictly step by step instructions, watch the video and believe in your own success.

Why leather?

• The leather steering wheel evokes a pleasant tactile sensation and is warm to the touch.
• The leather steering wheel is securely fixed in the hand, making it easier for the driver to react to unexpected road situations.
• A leather steering wheel looks restrained and elegant or young and playful, depending on the color and quality of the material.

Preparing materials and tools

For work we will need the following tools and materials:

• Narrow masking tape;
• Stationery cardboard;
• Roll of cling film;
• Marker with a thick rod;
• Nail scissors or stationery knife;
• Two hardened steel needles for leather;
• Durable synthetic thread of a suitable color;
• A pair of thimbles;
• Two-component leather adhesive;
• Home or industrial hair dryer.

Making a pattern for a leather braid on the steering wheel with your own hands

The steering wheel in each car has its own configuration and features, so we will experiment with the pattern. Remove the steering wheel and wrap the steering wheel with cling film. This material is elastic and fits perfectly onto the base. We evenly wrap a layer of masking tape on top of the film. We especially carefully treat the areas at the base of the knitting needles.

We carefully examine our work and decide how the skin will lie, how many parts we will divide the circle into, three, four or six. The proportions between the parts of the braid are a matter of personal preference. The eyes are afraid, but the hands are doing. Using a marker, we draw the boundaries of future pieces of material onto the surface of the tape; the seams will run along them. We mark each part and assign a serial number.

Using a utility knife, cut the paper layers along the drawn lines. Using scissors we refine the shapes. We place the resulting templates under a press for alignment for a day. This could be a stack of books or a weight. If you don’t have time to wait, then iron the parts with a low-heat iron. We cut out blanks from cardboard according to the size of the templates, and be sure to transfer the numbering of the pieces onto them.

Please note: Let's reveal one more secret. If the cutting process seems too complicated for you, look at the market for “semi-finished” braids made of perforated or smooth leather. A strong needle and nylon thread are included in the kit. All you have to do is wrap the steering wheel yourself.

Choosing skin

Choosing a material for tuning is a fascinating process. Color solution, a combination of leather of different textures, price and availability of materials in stores... Black color is universal, it timeless classic genre, but is unlikely to be appropriate in a beige interior. Choose soft leather, consider perforated options. This material is easily fixed by hand and has a high coefficient of friction.

Where to buy covering material? Go to an auto shop, visit fabric stores, or look at online store catalogs. The pattern of the product will tell you the required amount of leather.

Please note: Leather ALCANTARA Alcantara (artificial suede). Thanks to the adhesive base and protective adhesive paper, it is easy to work with. The pattern is drawn on adhesive paper, cut out with scissors, the protective layer is removed, the leather is stretched exactly to the shape of the steering wheel and glued in the right places.

How to cover a steering wheel with leather with your own hands: steps

1. So, the patterns are ready, the leather has been purchased, you can begin the process of covering. We lay out the templates on the wrong side of the material and, taking into account the allowance in the places where the pieces are sewn together, make markings. Leave allowances of 2-3 mm. Cut it out.

2. We stitch the joints of the leather flaps using a sewing machine. If desired, decorative stitches can be placed along the front side. Feel free to try the resulting model on your steering wheel. Check that the product fits tightly, without sagging or bubbles. Make any necessary adjustments.

Please note: Another secret to a perfect fit. To ensure that the seams at the joints of the pieces do not stick out, and the surface of the braid is smooth everywhere, it is recommended to use a stationery knife to cut shallow grooves on the steering wheel at the seams. Exactly the same recesses are made near the steering wheel spokes.

3. At the next stage, we tighten the braid with a strong nylon thread. For this we need two steel hot needles and two thimbles. Start stitching from the joining seam. The threads come from both sides, crossing each other. Where the knitting needles meet, the thread is drawn from the back of the rim. To ensure that the braid lies as tightly as possible, do not forget to tighten the material.

Secure the tie at the start of the stitching with a high-quality double knot. In the case when the edges were stitched on a machine, the tie can be done with one needle, using existing holes for punctures. This seam will be more even and smooth.

Please note: the secret of strong fastening of knots of nylon threads. To prevent unraveling of knots and sagging of threads during work, wet them with superglue. You don't have to worry about the reliability of the connection of slippery nylon fibers.

4. The work is ready. You can dry the steering wheel with a hairdryer and return it to its place. If you still doubt that you can wrap the steering wheel yourself, experienced specialists share tips on how to simplify the process:

• Instead of a screed, place the parts on epoxy or rubber glue, use leather with an adhesive base. Thus, cutting errors will be less noticeable.
• You can pierce even holes along the edges of the workpieces using a sewing machine without threads. Your seams will be neat and even without hassle.
• Pre-moisten the skin in warm water, it will become elastic. Once dry, the material will fit more tightly to the base due to its reduction in size.

As you can see, covering the steering wheel with leather is not at all difficult. You just have to start and everything will work out. A leather steering wheel will give the car interior a stylish appearance and highlight your individuality.

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. Also the steering wheel is important detail in the interior of the salon.

Agree, standard steering wheels in most cases can be called one, albeit rude word - squalor. If the covering was previously performed in good quality, time has not been kind to them: dirty stains, 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 is 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 leather-covered The steering wheel of the car 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 inhaled 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 the 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! Having decided to make a case for steering wheel with your own hands, you should choose car leather. It is designed specifically to work in wide range temperatures 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 braiding 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. Thin ones will wear out quickly, and in soon Again you will 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 braid 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 necessary set tools can be found at 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 fixed. 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. Making holes 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 update leather steering wheel car, made by yourself, dry 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.