How to sew a leather steering wheel with your own hands
The steering wheel is the part of the car that is more prone to wear. As a rule, nurses have braids up to two hundred thousand. But this does not apply to all car models. After 3-5 years, the steering becomes loose and scratched. Naturally, when selling a car, the buyer's eye rushes to the wheel. Therefore, it is extremely important to maintain your factory condition.
This article will be useful not only to motorists, but also to those who sell cars in the secondary market. So, how to trim the steering wheel with your skin? Let's see below.
material
The first problem that the owner faces is the choice of material. There are many finishing options. In our case, you need to cut the steering wheel. At the same time, its quality must be at the highest level. Working on the restoration of the steering wheel is quite difficult. Our goal is to restore the state of the material for a very long time.
It is better to cut the steering wheel. leather or eco leather? It all depends on the preferences of the owner. naturally natural leather It will be even more expensive to replace (i.e. material with an "eco" prefix). Note that eco-leather is not inferior to the features of natural leather in terms of the corresponding properties. It is flexible and covers the steering wheel perfectly. The material has a uniform structure. such helmet It looks very organic and personable. The main thing is to draw correctly.
Fundamental moment! Leather is more convenient to use - only perforated. This is the softest, most elastic, pleasant to the touch material. It's not hard to work with him. The cover takes all forms (especially those who want to trim leather steering wheel complex configuration, with recesses).
What thick material to choose? The best value is between 1 and 1.5 mm. The main requirements for leather are resistance to temperature fluctuations, mechanical damage and, of course, abrasion.
Still smooth leather. According to the characteristics, it is no different from the previous one. Here, as they say, a matter of taste.
tools
Before you cut yourself helmet skin, you need to prepare a small set of tools and materials. We will need:
- rubber glue.
- Construction tape.
- Sample.
- Office knife.
- Marker.
- Pencil.
- Pliers.
- Nylon thread (requires at least one meter to work).
- Two gypsy needles (semicircular recommended).
Work should be carried out in a well-lit area.
Getting started is the first step
First you need to remove the steering wheel. casing leather steering wheel almost impossible without it. This is a very labor intensive process. Disassembly will significantly reduce the time of work performed. To remove the wheel from the column, use a special pick-up. It looks something like this:
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Without this, it will be difficult to disassemble, especially if the steering wheel is removed for the first time. The fixing nut itself is also loose (use a wrench "27"). Do not try to pull the wheel by force, much less use third-party tools. It will only damage the interior.
Steering wheel for beginners. The easiest way. Transportation and repair of the salon.
An image tutorial for those who want to but can't drag and drop leather steering wheel. You don't like your helmet?
Chinese markup: 0 10px 5px 0;" SRC ="C:\Users\OLEG\Desktop\1\Images\Widescreen_FC66C159.jpg" />Now remove the model from the steering wheel and transfer each marked sector to the material (leather).
The note! You should trim your skin with a little margin. Leave 1-1.5 centimeters from the edges of the sketch for a seam allowance. You can then trim off the excess, but it will be impossible to restore the missing part.
Step three - fit
Now apply the cut material to the helmet.
After making sure that all lines correspond to the actual size, cut off the excess edges. Then soak the material in warm water for 20 minutes. With the help of an awl, we make small holes every seven to eight millimeters.
Step four - score
Now we carefully collect all the details in the order in which the overlay will be made. For sewing, we recommend using nylon threads (as they are the most durable). Try not to apply too much force so as not to break the material. Leather, especially perforated, is not only easily stretched, but also torn. Try not to leave wrinkles.
Next, we twist the edges of our material. The wheel must be fixed so that it is firmly held on the surface when sewing. It is not easy to cut the wheel. The part tends to slip out of hand. Make sure the steering wheel is not creeping from side to side beforehand.
An important point: before the final reduction Check the condition of the material. It should be evenly spaced. Folds and folds are excluded. They ruin the look a lot. helmet even with new skin.
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How to sew a seam
There are three types of seams:
This is not to say that only one of these types is required to finish the steering wheel.
Everyone chooses according to their taste. All seams look very organic on the steering wheel. The main thing is to lubricate the wheel with rubber glue when gluing the edges. This will prevent premature peeling of the material in the event of a seam rupture. Although the themes are quite strong.
Step Five - Installation
After successfully applying the new material, wait for the adhesive to dry. After an hour, you can put the steering wheel back in place. Remember to place it strictly on the stamps that were exposed in pencil. The nut is placed on the nut. Then the steering wheel is assembled according to the standard scheme.
If the vehicle is equipped with an airbag, disconnect the battery terminal, otherwise the airbag may deploy. Also connect all sensors to the dashboard at the beginning of their signal does not light up. This is all. Once installed, you can move on to full use.
Conclusion
So, we figured out how to cut correctly leather steering wheel. It is worth noting that this process takes a lot of time, and not everyone can handle it, especially if the steering wheel has a non-standard shape and wooden inserts.
June 3, 2019Without exaggeration, we can say that the steering wheel is not only one of the most important elements of car control, but also the “face” of the vehicle interior. Therefore, the most common way to give the interior attractiveness and personality is the steering wheel trim. A beginner can also do it, the main thing here is patience and attention to every little thing.
Materials and tools
Since the steering wheel is constantly in contact with the driver's hands, when choosing a material for sheathing, you should pay attention to quality, strength and durability. There are many options - you can choose fur, artificial or natural leather, silicone, foam rubber or wire.
The most popular and practical is a braid made of genuine leather. Such a braid retains its appearance for a long time, is pleasant to the touch, has good performance, looks expensive and solid. You can simply wipe it with a damp alcohol wipe to remove dust. It is better to give preference to perforated leather. It is softer and thanks to the pores it breathes better.
Important! You should choose automotive leather, and not furniture, otherwise after a short time the work will go down the drain.
Before you start hauling the steering wheel, you should prepare all the necessary materials and tools. These include:
- leather;
- a large needle for sewing (you can take a red-hot one);
- strong kapron thread;
- thimble;
- stationery knife;
- masking tape;
- cling film (you can take packaging);
- marker or pencil;
- medium density cardboard;
- glue or epoxy.
Tightening procedure
Removing the steering wheel and the old braid
Before starting work, it is necessary to remove the steering wheel, using the manual for the repair and operation of the car. Disconnect the battery before dismantling! If there is an airbag in the hull, wait at least five minutes.
Remove the old braid. You can just cut along the seam.
Creating a Pattern and Cutting a New Braid
Next, you need to make a pattern. To do this, first the steering wheel is neatly, evenly, without differences in height, wrapped with a film, and then tightly with masking tape. With a marker, the future pattern is divided into four parts and a mark is made for the inner seam along the inside of the steering wheel.
Before cutting, it is necessary to number all the details. Cut strictly along the lines!
According to the marked marks, you need to cut the masking tape and remove it from the steering wheel. It turns out four parts of the pattern. To level them, you can put a load on top for several hours. Or make a denser cardboard template by applying masking tape elements to it.
Then, according to the sample of the obtained pattern, elements of the future leather braid are cut out, an allowance of 1.5-2 ml is made along the length. Each element must be marked. Do not forget that the final result depends on the accuracy of the work at the stage of making the pattern.
Pattern details are sewn together using a sewing machine or a needle and thread. It is necessary to retreat from the edge by 2-3 mm, otherwise the material will tear when pulled. All parts are connected to form a ring. The finished ring is applied to the steering wheel. Everything has to be exactly the right size. If the braid walks along the steering wheel, it is necessary to take it in at the seam. For additional fixation, the steering wheel can be lubricated with glue or epoxy.
Fasteners for manual braid stitching
After that, you need to make fasteners, which will hold the seam connecting the edges of the braid.
There are two types of fastening:
- holes;
- stitching along the edges.
Holes along the edges of the braid can be made manually using an awl, or using a sewing machine with a needle without thread with a rounded tip.
The number of holes should be the same on both sides, the distance from the edge is approximately 4 mm, between the holes 4-5 mm. The work is quite laborious, it should turn out about 600 holes.
The second method is much simpler - it is enough to make a line on the edge of the braid with a stitch of 5-6 mm on a sewing machine. The distance from the edge of the product is 4 mm.
All knots are made from the inside and are fixed with no more than two stitches.
Stitching the braid on the steering wheel
There are many braid lacing options. The choice depends on the type of fastening and personal imagination. The easiest is to lace up like sneakers, threading a strong thread into the prepared bindings. You should start from the bottom and move counterclockwise, carefully straightening the folds and pulling the material well.
Reference! If in some place it was not possible to perfectly straighten the skin, you can use a hairdryer. When heated, the skin becomes more elastic and small wrinkles are smoothed out.
At the end of the sheathing, all the threads should be hidden under the skin, glue the knots with glue and walk with a hair dryer along the entire length of the steering wheel so that the skin fits better to the steering wheel. All seams can be smeared with special glue for the skin. This will prevent them from tearing apart.
Leather braid care
If the steering wheel is sheathed in leather, then it requires special attention, because dust and dirt easily accumulate in the pores of the leather. This is reflected not only in the appearance of the steering wheel, but also in the health of the driver. For cleaning, you can use special products for the skin or make your own product, for example, mixing warm water with shampoo for washing the car body.
To extend the life of such a braid, you should use special products that clean and moisturize it. Such products always contain special filters that protect the skin from fading.
Of course, making a leather braid with your own hands is much more difficult than buying a finished one. But on the other hand, you will be rightfully proud of your work, enjoying its result.
To make driving comfortable, many drivers buy special steering wheel covers. This refinement creates convenience, hands get tired less. Plus, the interior of the cabin is changing for the better. There are many different offers on the market today. However, you can drag the steering wheel yourself. The most practical and convenient material for steering wheel tuning is genuine leather. The use of artificial substitutes is not recommended. Since they do not have proper elasticity and wear out quickly.
Tools and materials for hauling
Covering the steering wheel with leather with your own hands involves the use of the following materials and tools:
To make a template (pattern), it is best to use cling film and wide masking tape.
Thick paper or cardboard.
Stationery or other sharp knife, marker or pencil.
Strong and high-quality thread, preferably kapron.
For safe and comfortable sewing, you will need two thimbles for the middle finger.
Durable sewing needles made of hardened steel.
High quality soft genuine leather.
Screwdriver and wrench to remove and then install the steering wheel.
To cover the steering wheel with leather with your own hands, it is advisable to use two types of material, perforated and smooth leather. The combination of two different textures will not only create an original and pleasant aesthetic appearance, but also provide comfort for working with the steering wheel.
Perforated leather is highly elastic. It is soft and comfortable to work with. Smooth leather, in turn, is more resistant to wear. Therefore, if you combine them together, you get a durable, soft and fairly resistant to abrasion material. Experts believe that leather with a thickness of 1.2-1.4 mm is optimal for steering wheel covers. You can choose any skin color, it all depends on your taste. As a rule, the most popular are covers made of leather in dark shades. The most commonly used material is black.
Steering wheel leather template
In order for the hauling of the steering wheel with your own hands to be of high quality, you must first make a pattern. To do this, first we make a template from the film and adhesive tape. First of all, remove the steering wheel, having previously dismantled the signal cover. Then we unscrew the steering wheel mounting nut on the shaft and remove the steering wheel from the splines, swinging it in different directions.
After that, using cling film and masking tape, we make a steering wheel layout, a template for a pattern. We wrap the steering wheel with a film. Glue paper masking tape on top. The places where it is planned to make seams are marked with a marker or pencil. Then carefully cut the tape along these lines. The result should be four elements, one rectangular and three cruciform. We unfold and number all the details for the template. After that, we lay them on cardboard or thick paper and make patterns of a similar shape for a pattern.
skin pattern
To make an original case, you first need to look at various sketches and choose the most suitable one. Of course, out of four details, not so many solutions can be implemented. However, you can make each sector from two or more elements, arranging different textures or skin tones. Naturally, this will take more time and effort, but the end result is worth it. You can search the Internet for various options and choose the most convenient and practical. After you have decided on the design of the cover, we lay the pieces of leather on the table and make patterns with the help of a clerical knife.
When making patterns, it is very important not to miss the next essential point. Each sector of the template is transferred to the skin not strictly according to its shape, but with a small margin. That is, after you have laid the template on the skin, you need to cut it out, stepping back from the edge of the sector by 1.0-1.5 cm. Such a margin will be needed to ensure the necessary strength of the seams. Otherwise, after a short operation, the seams will disperse, you just have to throw the cover away. As a result, you will need another hauling of the steering wheel with leather with your own hands.
After the pieces of leather are cut, attach them to the steering wheel and check that all sectors are cut correctly and match in size, taking into account the margin for the seam. If necessary, all excess can be cut off, because all patterns are made with a sufficient margin. After you have made sure that all the elements are prepared and correspond to the design intent, you can start sewing.
Cooking leather case
First, we lay out all the details on the table in accordance with how they will be located in the case and begin to sew in the given order. The edges of the sectors must be overcast to avoid tightening the skin during operation. You need to sew the parts with strong nylon threads, retreating from the edge of at least 3 mm. All parts are sewn completely in the form of a ring, with the exception of those seams that you previously marked with a marker.
After the workpiece is completely sewn and all edges are swept over, carefully pull the cover on the steering wheel so that the joints of the seams are in the places of the cuts. We smooth the material and eliminate sagging. Some experts advise "planting" the skin on glue or epoxy. However, in any case, it is necessary to sew the edges.
Video - Leather steering wheel
So, now it remains to do the most important thing - to pull off the edges of the cover so that it is securely fixed on the steering wheel. This procedure is very troublesome, time-consuming and requires a lot of time. First of all, you should decide on the place where the beginning of the seam will be. Here, you first need to fasten the thread, and then you can carefully sew. When tightening the edges of the cover in the area of the signal cover, it is recommended to coat the edges of the skin with rubber glue.
There are many types of seams. However, the most popular are pigtail, sports and macrame. They look beautiful and form the most durable connection.
After the cover is completely ready, you can put the steering wheel on the car. There may be slight wrinkles on the cover. It's not worth worrying about this. If you used genuine leather, then due to the increased elasticity of the material, all these flaws will completely disappear over time.
Sooner or later, you may have a question - how to tighten the steering wheel with leather yourself? This can occur for various reasons, for example, you have a plastic steering wheel and you want it to look presentable. Or you already have an old leather steering wheel, but from time to time it has worn out, and it just needs to be updated! In general, there are a lot of reasons, including the general tuning of the car, today I want to tell you and show you a photo of such a wrap with comments, of course ...
It should be noted right away that now there are three technologies for waisting - wrapping. I'll list it point by point:
1) The easiest and cheapest way is to buy a Chinese universal cover, it can be made from both genuine leather and ECO-LEATHER.
2) We turn to a special atelier where you can fit anything! Easy, but costly.
3) When you buy leather with your own hands, make a stencil and then drag it. Difficult, especially if there are no skills - but cheap, you will learn the technology (then you can drag it to others for money).
We will analyze each option in order, be sure to photo and video.
Chinese universal case
It is now gaining popularity in our country, it is very easy to buy on the same ALI, after which it will be sent to your home, and you will already pull the steering wheel. By the way, the kit comes with instructions on how to do everything yourself.
The difficulty lies in the fact that if you have never done it yourself, and you do not have sewing skills, even minimal ones, then again it will be difficult! You can also damage the cover. So the option is really cheap, such a cover costs a maximum of 500 - 800 rubles, but even after the correct constriction it does not look very, let's say presentable, because only the steering wheel is fitted, and the elements adjacent to the center remain old. So for an amateur! Watch the detailed video.
Special Atelier
Needless to say, my friend had a BMW 3 series, her braid was worn out from time to time (the car was 8 years old). Of course, you could not change it, but the steering wheel was black, and the scuffs were very conspicuous! A Chinese cover for a BMW would look just awful, so it was decided to remove the “steering wheel” - to make everything from high-quality leather, in general, to restore the external “former” look. The owner himself has never been a "seamstress", and therefore simply turned to a special organization.
The principle of operation was as follows:
1) Carefully removed the steering wheel - turned off the pillow - dismantled it.
3) The cover was removed, a new one was made from it.
4) After that, they simply pulled it onto the steering wheel - they fixed it with a new stitching.
It turned out very impressive, it’s a pity that I don’t have a photo now (and a friend sold the car) - you can distinguish “FIG” from the real one!
Do-it-yourself hauling
Well, of course, the most interesting thing is the hauling yourself. Now there are many different technologies, and everyone says that he has the best. Personally, I didn’t overtighten it myself, but I consulted with the guys who “ate the dog” on this. And they showed me the best technology for beginners.
Now there will be a photo instruction, for constriction:
1) Disassemble the steering wheel
2) We glue it with masking tape, in the right places, that is, we also glue the connecting elements that go to the center.
3) Then we draw places for separation.
4) We cut and remove the adhesive tape, we get a stencil. We number it.
5) After we transfer everything to the skin, cut out the stencils - sew them together. It should be noted that you still need to flash around the edges, we retreat 4 - 5 mm. It is advisable to use a reinforced thread, it is also "reinforced". It is this seam that we will connect.
6) Now we pull the cover on the steering wheel, it will be difficult to enter, this is normal!
7) After we begin to connect our seam, then whoever wants, you can use any seam - “sports”, “herringbone”, asterisk, etc.
8) The banner is ready.
The steering wheel is one of the main control elements of the car, so its presentable appearance is of no small importance. If the steering wheel is worn out, a steering wheel reupholstery comes to the rescue, which is done in several versions, choosing the most convenient and suitable material in a particular case. When wondering how to sheathe a steering wheel with leather, it is necessary to take into account the peculiarities of making patterns and the rules that are followed in the process of sewing a new cover.
Tuning a car is quite an exciting process, including when it comes to the steering wheel. In most cases, such work is carried out in pursuit of a specific goal - replacing worn-out wiped material with a new upholstery that is pleasant to the touch.
Do-it-yourself steering wheel hauling: how to choose the right material
You can drag the steering wheel using several materials of different properties. To make the right choice, you need to consider the pros and cons of each option.
Alcantara or genuine leather: we finish the car with taste
A popular way to repair is to haul the steering wheel with Alcantara. A feature of the material is its velvety surface, which eliminates unwanted slipping of hands on the steering wheel.
As for the leather, the special automotive material is smooth and perforated. In the first case, you can count on getting the most wear-resistant and durable upholstery. When choosing, pay special attention to the thickness of the upholstery fabric. Its optimal value is 1.3 mm.
Separately, it is worth dwelling on perforated leather. According to professionals, this option is the most preferable due to the exceptional convenience of cutting and sewing a new cover. This property is explained by the high elasticity of the material, due to which, even in the absence of appropriate skills, the steering wheel is successfully reupholstered with leather.
Eco-leather - a combination of reasonable price and high quality
Another suitable option in the form of eco-leather is the possibility of tuning the steering wheel with the most environmentally friendly, affordable and wear-resistant material that looks no worse than natural leather upholstery.
The basis of the fabric is cotton thread and polyurethane, which ensures the unhindered passage of air through the structure of the material.
The following advantages of eco-leather are distinguished:
- Warm to the touch surface even in cold conditions.
- The elasticity and softness of the new upholstery, its perfect fit on the steering wheel frame.
- At the end of the work, even a leather steering wheel with a complex geometry looks flawless.
Features of cutting and material replacement
When planning to tighten the steering wheel with leather, it is necessary to prepare the appropriate tools and supplies, as well as to cut the fabric correctly.
Assembling a set of tools
For stretching use:
- A skein of medium-sized masking tape;
- Food wrap or plastic bags;
- Stationery knife;
- Permanent marker for marking;
- Medium density cardboard;
- Dense nylon thread;
- Hardened sewing needles;
- Medium size thimble. It's better if you have a few on hand.
When all positions are available, they proceed directly to the cutting of the material, providing for the phased execution of work.
Pattern preparation
In order for the steering wheel to be covered with leather or other material quickly and efficiently, the following points are taken into account:
- The steering wheel is tightly wrapped with cling film or cellophane, after which masking tape is wound on top.
- The required details are cut out of the masking tape, paying attention to the factory joints.
- To give the patterns an even shape, they are placed on the press at night (heavy books will do).
- For reliability, they make another finishing pattern, transferring the dimensions of the parts to thick cardboard.
All cut parts must be numbered to avoid misunderstandings when sewing. When dimensions are transferred to the fabric, margins from the edges of 5 mm are provided for processing the edges.
The sequence of actions for self-repair
Directly covering the steering wheel with leather consists of the following steps:
- Pre-sew the edges of the finished braid to hide cutting flaws;
- Finished products are tried on the steering wheel, assessing the tightness of the fit;
- To make the seams at the joints look flush with the rest of the material, small grooves are made on the steering wheel frame with a knife;
- They proceed to tightening the braid using a nylon thread and a pair of red-hot needles. Before stitching, the stop knots are moistened with superglue to prevent spreading;
- The firmware starts from the docking seam, laying the threads on top of each other in the form of a cross;
- The places where the junction with the spokes of the steering wheel takes place are sewn by passing the threads from the back of the rim;
- In order to qualitatively cover the steering wheel with leather, the material is pulled together throughout the process for a tight fit of the braid and the absence of wrinkles;
- The work is completed by the formation of a double fixing knot at the beginning of the screed.
You can also use a lightweight stitching method, using one needle and thread, which is threaded through the loops formed after stitching the edges. The result of the work is the most smooth and even seam.
The price of a professional hauling
The prices of steering wheel wrapping with leather on their own and in the conditions of a car dealership vary significantly. The average cost of the work of professionals is about 5 thousand rubles. If you plan an independent hauling, you can count on at least double savings.
It is also possible to save money and get a high-quality tightened steering wheel at the output in another way - by acquiring the so-called "semi-finished product" in the form of a finished leather braid, supplemented with a thread and a needle. In this case, there is no need for independent cutting of the fabric, which greatly facilitates the work.
