How to reupholster a steering wheel with leather yourself? Detailed instructions, photos and videos. How to cover a steering wheel with leather with your own hands: video, choice of material, stages of work How to make a leather steering wheel

Sooner or later, you may have a question - how to reupholster the steering wheel with leather yourself? This may arise due to 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 it has worn out over time and 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 there are now three technologies for re-upholstery - covering. I'll list it point by point:

1) The simplest and cheap way– we buy Chinese universal case, can be made from either genuine leather or ECO-LEATHER.

2) We contact a special studio where they can fit anything for you! Easy, but costly.

3) When you buy leather yourself, make a stencil and then retighten it. It’s difficult, especially if you don’t have the skills, but it’s cheap, you learn the technology (then you can sell it to others for money).

We will analyze each option in order, always taking photos and videos.

Chinese universal case

It is now gaining popularity in our country, it is very easy to buy on the same “ALI”, after which they will send it to your home, and you will already have the steering wheel re-tied. By the way, the kit comes with instructions on how to do everything yourself.

The difficulty is that if you have never done it yourself, and you do not have even minimal sewing skills, then again it will be difficult! You may also damage the case. So the option is really cheap, such a case costs a maximum of 500 - 800 rubles, but even after correct constriction it doesn’t look very, let’s say, presentable, because only the steering wheel is covered, and the elements adjacent to the center remain old. So it's not for everybody! Let's watch a detailed video.

Special studio

What can I say, my friend had a BMW 3 Series, its braiding had worn out over time (the car was 8 years old). Of course, it was possible not to change it, but the steering wheel was black, and the scuffs were very noticeable! A Chinese cover on a BMW would look simply terrible, so the decision was made to remove the steering wheel - to make everything from high-quality leather, in general, to restore the external “previous” appearance. The owner himself had never been a “seamstress”, and therefore simply turned to a special organization.

The operating principle was as follows:

1) Carefully removed the steering wheel, disconnected the airbag, and disassembled it.

3) The cover was removed and a new one was made from it.

4) After which they simply pulled it onto the steering wheel and secured it with new stitching.

It turned out very impressive, it’s a pity that I don’t have a photo left now (and my friend sold the car) - you can distinguish “FIG” from the real thing!

DIY reupholstery

Well, and of course the most interesting thing is reupholstering it yourself. Now there are many various technologies, and everyone says that his is the best. Personally, I didn’t overtighten myself, but I consulted with the guys who “ate the dog” on this. And they showed me the best technology specifically for beginners.

Now there will be photo instructions for reupholstering:

1) Disassemble the steering wheel

2) We cover it with masking tape in the right places, that is, we also cover the connecting elements that go to the center.

3) Then we draw places for separation.

4) Cut and remove the tape, we get a stencil. Let's number it.

5) After we transfer everything to the skin, cut out the stencils and sew them together. It should be noted that you still need to stitch along the edges, we retreat 4 - 5 mm. It is advisable to use reinforced thread, also known as “reinforced” thread. It is this seam that we will connect.

6) Now we pull the cover over the steering wheel, it will be difficult to fit in, this is normal!

7) Afterwards we begin to connect our seam, here whoever wants, you can use any seam - “sports”, “herringbone”, star, etc.

8) The reupholstery is ready.

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 most the best material The steering wheel will, of course, be made of 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

Steering wheel reupholstery on our own involves the use of 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 - best choice there will be nylon.
• 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

To ensure that the steering wheel covered with leather with your own hands is of high quality, 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 glued 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 material. Of course, it will take more time, and also effort. But the result will be a designer work of art. The best place You can use the Internet to search for ideas: a huge number of variations with a cover are collected here. When we have figured out the design, we can post it on work surface skin and start cutting.

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 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 plant the skin on epoxy resin or glue - but this is everyone’s choice.

Steering wheel reupholstery - the final stage

The steering wheel reupholstery has not yet been completed, there is still final stage. 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

Imagine that you have decided to modernize the interior of your car. We ordered genuine leather seat covers, reupholstered the front panel, ceiling, doors and even the gearbox knob. But yours new interior will look unfinished until you change it appearance steering wheel The simplest and quick way To do this, put on the steering braid.

You've probably wondered more than once: why do we need a braid at all, if the steering wheel can simply be painted in the desired color? To begin with, she does decorative function. You can choose suitable material And color scheme and thus refresh the interior of the car. The braid also has others useful features. For example, it increases the thickness of the steering wheel, making the grip more comfortable. The material will be soft under your hands and, in cold weather, warmer than the original plastic handlebar.

The braid reliably protects your steering wheel from mechanical damage

In addition, the braid protects the steering wheel itself from mechanical damage: scratches, chips, abrasions. If the material has deteriorated during use, the braid can be easily removed and a new one installed, while the steering wheel itself will have to be restored for a long time and carefully. If you get a used car whose steering wheel no longer boasts a factory look, such a cover will help hide all the imperfections.

Another one important feature: The braid will provide reliable grip between the surface of the steering wheel and your hands. Your palms will not slip while driving, which means your trips will be safer.

The appearance of the steering wheel has become much more expensive; it now looks like on cars of a higher class. I would also like to especially note that the steering wheel has become thicker, not as slippery as before, and most importantly, it is now pleasant to the touch. In short, I'm happy with how it turned out, including the price tag and ease of installation.

Arseny

https://www.drive2.ru/l/3031715/

Kinds

When choosing a braid for your steering wheel, you will be faced with a wide variety of materials. Among the most popular types are the following:

• braids made of natural and artificial leather;
• fur braids;
• wire braids;
• silicone pads;
• foam covers.

Useful braids can be identified as a separate category: in addition to their main functions, they have a number of additional advantages. These include, for example, heated steering wheel covers and massage pads. Let's look at each type in more detail.

Leather braids

As we have already noted, both natural and artificial leather are used to make braids. Of course, genuine leather will be more durable, softer and more pleasant to the touch than artificial leather. However, its price can be 3-4 times higher, which makes it inaccessible to many motorists. Both artificial leather (also called eco-leather) and natural leather have good performance characteristics. Such material will not fade in the sun and will not swell from moisture. He is not afraid of temperature changes.

Typically, leather cases are chosen by males. This material looks solid and expensive and fits into the interior of any car. Leather Case can be a good gift on holiday.

When choosing such a braid, give preference to perforated leather. It is softer to the touch and allows air to pass through better, creating a breathable effect.

perforated leather is much softer than regular leather

Fur

The fur used for steering braids can also be artificial or natural. Natural fur retains heat better in cold weather. Although, if you don’t ride around Arctic cities, then artificial material will cope no worse. Sheepskin is often used to make covers.

Sheep fur is very popular for making steering braids

Faux fur with long pile is often dyed in bright colors and complemented with fun elements. Using such a cover will give off a cheerful and carefree personality to the car owner. Such braids are most often chosen by young women.

a fur braid with long multi-colored pile will look cute in the interior of a woman’s car

Wicker covers

Wire woven covers are also called retro braids because they were very popular in the middle of the last century. Now such braids are used by those who want to style their iron horse as a classic car from the times of the Soviet Union.

Wicker covers retain their main functions: protecting the steering wheel from damage and from slipping of your hands. At the same time, their price is much lower than that of leather and fur counterparts. The most popular material To make wicker covers, you use ordinary insulated wire, which can be found in almost everyone’s garage. Some craftsmen make braids from hard and thin clotheslines.

To decorate your car in retro style, use a wire woven cover

Wire braiding can be ordered from special workshops, or you can make it yourself using weaving patterns. Using different colors, you can create your own unique steering wheel design.

Silicone and foam covers

Silicone or foam rubber is often used to make steering braids. Manufacturing technology helps make cases made from these materials inexpensive, but capable of performing all tasks perfectly. The color range of such braids is very diverse: you can find both calm pastel shades and bright neon tones. Foam rubber covers are often printed with a colored pattern, and transparent silicone will protect your steering wheel, but will reveal its original appearance.

silicone braids can be either bright or more muted shades

Useful braids

Useful covers, as mentioned earlier, include heated braids. Any material can be used in their manufacture, but most often it is natural or eco-leather. Simply connect the wire from the case to the cigarette lighter, and you are provided with additional heating for your palms.

additional heating inside the steering braid will make driving in winter more comfortable

Braided massage inserts are usually made of rubber. The special relief affects certain points on the palms, improves blood circulation, thereby preventing fatigue and numbness in the hands.

massage inserts on the steering braid have a positive effect on blood circulation in the hands

How to choose the right braid for your steering wheel

When purchasing braid, it is not enough to choose only the color and material. It is very important to determine right size and the shape of the part.

By size

The cover must be the right size for the steering wheel. If you choose one that's too small, you won't be able to tighten it, and if you choose one that's too big, it will wobble unsightly and cause wrinkles. To find out the diameter of the steering wheel, use a meter tape.

The size range of steering covers is represented by the following types:

• S - most small size, suitable for steering wheels with a diameter of 35 to 36 cm, usually used on small cars like Oka or Tavria;
• M- the average size for steering wheels 37–38 cm, found on most modern foreign and domestic passenger cars with sedan, hatchback or liftback body type;
• L- big size, designed for handlebars whose diameter is 39–40 cm;
• XL - steering wheel diameter 41–43 cm, usually found on UAZ and GAZelle cars
• 2XL - this size is found in some imported trucks, the steering wheel diameter of which is 47–48 cm.
• 3XL - for steering wheels with a diameter of 49 cm, found in domestic KAMAZ vehicles.

It will be more reliable if you make the case yourself or order it from a special workshop. Professionals will accurately measure the diameter of your steering wheel and prepare a braid that fits perfectly.

By car make and model

To find out the diameter of your handlebar, check your owner's manual. U different models diameter may vary slightly. If you don’t want to take risks with choosing a cover based on the size of your steering wheel, use a ready-made solution: you can find special braids on sale, made according to the pattern for most popular cars. Enter a query indicating your model into the search bar and choose from the many options offered.

By purchasing a cover this way, you can be sure that it will fit not only the diameter of the steering wheel, but also the thickness of the rim, as well as the location of the spokes and buttons.

By appearance

Everything is simple here: you have determined the size and model, and then you can proceed to visual selection. First of all, decide on the material. Leather, fur or modern synthetic materials will create a radically different image for you and your car. Think about the color scheme of the interior: if it is completely upholstered in black leather, then bright pink long fur will look ridiculous. If the trim contains inserts of red, beige, blue or other contrasting shades, the steering wheel in a similar range will support the color scheme.

How to make it yourself - instructions

If you don’t want to spend money on ready-made braids, then you can easily make it yourself. To do this, you will need a standard set of sewing accessories, the braiding material itself, a pattern, as well as a little time and patience.

Materials and tools

First of all, prepare everything necessary materials and tools. These include:

• selected material for the new case;
• old cover (if any);
• cling film;
• masking tape;
• marker;
• tailor's chalk;
• sharp tailor's scissors and a stationery knife;
• special threads for working with leather;
• a sewing machine suitable for working with leather (or for the material of your choice);
• glue.

The process of creating a steering wheel cover

The process for creating the steering braid will vary depending on whether you are going to cover the spokes with a cover. If not, then it will be much easier to make it.

1. Using a meter tape, measure two main parameters: the circumference of the steering wheel (the future length of the product), as well as the circumference of the rim itself (the future width of the product).
2. Based on these numbers, cut a strip of leather to the appropriate length and width. If you are using leather that is highly elastic, indent about 1mm into the piece. This will allow you to fit the resulting cover onto the steering wheel better and more tightly.
3. Sew the part sewing machine at a distance of about 3 mm from the edge on both sides.

for braiding without knitting needles, use leather tape of the required length and width

If you want the cover to cover the knitting needles, you definitely need to make patterns for the future pattern. This is done as follows.

1. Wrap the steering wheel tightly with cling film.
2. Apply several layers of masking tape over the film. It should cover the entire surface of the steering wheel, without gaps. Pay special attention to the knitting needles.
3. Using a marker, draw a line along the center of the inside of the steering wheel rim. Now you mark the location of the future seam. Divide the steering wheel into sections from spoke to spoke. If you wish, you can make only one seam - the central one, but in this case you will have to try very hard when lacing.
4. Using a utility knife, cut the masking tape along the marked lines and remove it from the steering wheel. You have created some unique patterns.
5. Attach the resulting patterns to the wrong side of the material from which the cover will be made. Use chalk to carefully trace the contours, observing all curves.
6. Cut out the resulting part. If you are using leather that is highly elastic, indent about 1mm into the piece. This will allow you to fit the resulting cover onto the steering wheel better and more tightly.
7. Sew the piece with a sewing machine at a distance of about 3 mm from the edge on both sides. If you wish, you can sew the parts together.
8. Coat the edges of the parts with a thin layer of glue and fix them on the steering wheel. If you have not sewn them before, make sure that the seams are invisible.

Making a pattern for the steering braid

cover the steering wheel with masking tape and apply markings, remove the masking tape from the steering wheel, transfer the contours of the parts onto the leather and cut them out, stitch the parts at a distance of 2-3 mm from the edge, place the parts on the steering wheel and fix them

It will be much easier to sew a braid with your own hands if you already have an old case. All you need to do is rip it apart at the seams and transfer the contours onto new material, and then cut, stitch and put on the steering wheel.

How to properly put on and lace a braid

Now you have to properly put on and lace the resulting braid. This process will differ, although not dramatically, depending on whether the cover involves covering the steering wheel spokes.

Methods of installation on a steering wheel with and without spokes

The main difference is the need to remove the steering wheel. If the braid is not designed to fit the spokes, you can secure it while leaving the steering wheel in place. But to install a cover with material for the spokes, you will have to remove the steering wheel in the standard way.

Before removing the steering wheel, do not forget to disconnect the battery. If the housing contains an airbag, wait at least 5 minutes before starting to disassemble the steering wheel.

Available for sale one-piece covers, which do not need to be laced. They are put on top part steering wheel, and then with force they pull on the entire wheel. It is advisable to have someone help with this by fixing the lining at the top. Otherwise it may slip off. The edges of such a cover will close together, and you will not have to waste precious time on lacing.

If you made the braid yourself, or bought an option that involves lacing, you will have to secure it yourself. This is a rather long, but completely uncomplicated process. You don't need to know how to sew or make beautiful stitches, because everything you need is already ready.

1. If your case is made of genuine leather, soak it in warm water for 15–20 minutes. This will increase the elasticity of the material
2. Arm yourself with a sewing needle. It should not be particularly thick, as you will have to pass it under the threads.
3. You will not need to pierce the material with a needle. Pay attention to the line that you (or the manufacturer) made in points No. 3 and 7 of the instructions for making the pattern. Pass the needle under the stitches and pull the material together.
4. Start at the bottom of the handlebar and move counterclockwise. It is most convenient to make the first tie at the beginning of one of the lower knitting needles.
5. Carefully straighten and lightly stretch the material. Try to avoid folds and distortions.
6. Process the entire seam in a similar manner. On the knitting needles you will have to fasten and break the thread. You can estimate the required length and number of threads in advance by measuring the distance between the knitting needles.
7. When the braid is completely secured, smooth it out again and dry it. After this, the material will fit tightly around the steering wheel.

pass the needle under the stitches and join both sides

If in some places you cannot perfectly stretch the skin, warm it up with a regular hairdryer. As the temperature rises, its elasticity increases.

I put it on the steering wheel, aligned the seam in the center, and began to deal with the thread. I decided to sew through one, I just looked at how the leather steering wheels were trimmed on cars from the factory. As a result, an hour and a half to two hours of work and the steering wheel is ready. There's definitely still a meter of thread left. Now it looks like it’s original, everything fits the steering wheel. I am very pleased with the result, the steering wheel has become more comfortable and pleasant to the touch.

Tema Vorobyov

https://www.drive2.ru/l/422671/

Video: installing braid on the steering wheel

Types of steering braid lacing

Lacing a braid is not much more difficult than lacing boots. You can use threads to match the material. In this case no big difference, which method you will use to lace the braid. But if you want to give your steering wheel unusual look, use threads of one or more contrasting colors. Bright threads can be used even at the stage when the part is stitched.

Braiding can be done in several ways. Which one is more convenient and nicer? I used the simplest one, when the thread is threaded into each seam, bordering the braid along the contour and tightening it like a shoe lace. The thread was the same color, the solution was temporary - so I didn’t show off. There were plans for the future to use red thread for the tie. But, for this, at a minimum, you need normal leather + additional covering of at least the automatic transmission lever. To finish key elements were no different from each other.

http://mysku.ru/blog/aliexpress/17827.html

depending on the type of lacing chosen, general form steering wheel may change dramatically

Some types of lacing require the simultaneous use of two needles and threads. Study carefully and choose the scheme that suits you best.

Macrame lacing looks quite unusual, so it is often used when fixing the steering braid. The thread is passed under the stitch, pulled to the opposite side, and then passed under the stitch one above. This creates diagonal lacing every second stitch on both sides. The thread is pulled tightly and a seam is formed.

Macrame seam is the lightest and most popular among motorists

Video: macrame seam

In order to make lacing, called sports, you need to start weaving using the previous method, and before the final tie, start a second thread, which will pass under all the missed stitches in the same way. This double macrame is considered sports lacing.

with sports lacing, one more thread is added to the macrame seam

There is a second option for sports lacing. It uses only one thread, and it is threaded into each stitch, without skipping. After tightening, the seam looks very interesting.

the second type of sports seam is made with one thread and without skipping stitches

Video: second version of the sports seam

There are also lacing methods that do not require a starting line. Holes for the thread are punched using a special device. Such seams include braid, herringbone and some others. You can understand the weaving patterns by studying the following image and video.

For some types of lacing you need to pierce the fabric

Video: herringbone seam

Video: cross stitch

There is nothing complicated in the sewing technique; first, use a needle to hook a loop on one side of the braid, then on the other, then again on the first, and so on. At first I simply “laced” the braid, and after I had “laced” everything, I already pulled the thread. I did this for several reasons. Firstly, it won’t be possible to tighten it from the very first section, because the opposite end of the braid is not secured, and, secondly, since the adhesive tape will not stick, the edges of the braid moved quite a lot along the steering wheel.

SC0RPI0N

http://mysku.ru/blog/aliexpress/34499.html

Remember that the sides of the material need to be pulled together only after you have passed the lacing thread under all the necessary stitches. This way the formed seam will be smoother. In order for the result to be of better quality, practice on a section of the braid before putting it on the steering wheel. If you are satisfied with how the selected seam looks, feel free to install the cover on the steering wheel.

Almost anyone can make a braid on a car steering wheel. If you are doing this for the first time, choose the version of the cover without knitting needles. If you already have experience in reupholstering other parts, you can choose more complex materials and methods. As for the lacing process, it takes more time than effort. If you or the manufacturer have taken care of the stitching on the parts in advance, all that remains for you is to thread the thread under the stitches as if you were lacing up your favorite sneakers. And a variety of seams and weaves will help make your steering wheel different from others. And if it’s so easy to make a steering wheel braid, then why not save on the services of a car studio?

A car is not a luxury, we tell ourselves, but we still want to decorate the iron horse with a leather interior. Start with the steering wheel! Braiding the steering wheel with your own hands so that the leather fits like your own is a completely doable task even for those who have never done it.

Steering wheel braid - genuine leather for comfort and beauty

Leather-covered steering wheels are installed mainly on more expensive cars. Down with stereotypes - who cares how old the car is, what brand it is and from what country? A leather steering wheel not only looks beautiful, but also feels much more comfortable in the hand. You will feel this especially well when you go on a long journey. Unlike plastic parts, leather covering allows air and moisture to pass through, so that it does not accumulate on the surface of the steering wheel. To enhance the effect, you can cover the steering wheel with perforated leather.

The disadvantages include the difficulty in washing off contaminants, and the service life of the casing is not that long. But you can come to terms with all this. But you shouldn’t put up with the cost of covering the steering wheel with leather in the cabin! After all, the work will take several hours, and not the most complicated one, but the service will cost several hundred, and far from rubles. Why not try to do everything yourself, and start doing it yourself with this particular detail.

One of the most simple options– purchase ready-made leather braiding in specialized stores or on the Internet. Ready-made solutions are offered for many models; there are also universal braids. All you need to do is work a little with the needle and thread that come with the kit. Usually 1-2 hours are enough to bring everything to fruition. If you have chosen the skin exactly for your model, then in a few days the braid will fit like original!

Do-it-yourself steering wheel braid – when there are no ready-made solutions

But ready-made solutions may not always suit your car. For example, you changed the steering wheel after buying a car, and now it is simply impossible to find the right braid. Or are you a do-it-yourself type? In these cases, stock up on a piece of good leather, thread, needles, scissors and, of course, patience - if you have never sewed, you will need a lot of the latter.

First, if possible, remove the steering wheel from the car. This is a rather labor-intensive process, so you can limit yourself to dismantling parts that will interfere, for example, an airbag or adjustment buttons. Be sure to turn off the battery.

As with any sewing, you can’t do without a stencil. And it is done very simply: we cover the steering wheel with cling film, wrap paper tape (painting tape) on top, draw a seam with a “painting” marker and use a utility knife to cut through this structure according to the markings. You may end up with at least three pieces of stencil. We cut out patterns from thick paper or cardboard using a stencil, providing 5 mm margins for the seams.

At the junctions of the pieces of leather themselves, we reduce the indentation to 3 mm so that the material can be pulled tightly.

Next, you should thread the thread, like a lace in a shoe, through the eyelets of the seams on different sides of the leather braid. Both laced options and options with stitching are possible, the main thing is that the leather is thick enough so that your steering wheel braid does not tear into pieces. You shouldn't try to tighten the thread the first time, it won't work anyway.

Choose a specific step and follow it, make several loops, and then go back and tighten the first loop properly. Move on at this pace. If the leather is very strong, you can slightly wet it to increase elasticity. In this case, it will tighten even more when it dries. After pulling off the braid, install buttons and other elements. That's all! Your steering wheel has become leather.

The steering wheel, as you know, is the connecting link between the car and the driver. And the pleasant-to-touch material, hand comfort and many other factors influence how the driver feels the car. The steering wheel for the driver is not only the most significant detail, it is also significant in terms of the interior of the cabin. The shabby, sometimes torn, worn-out material that covers the steering wheel indicates that it’s time to change the covering, no matter how familiar and convenient it may be.

Everyone’s tastes are different, some like a smooth polished steering wheel, others almost covered with snake skin, but almost everyone chooses the classic black leather. Any car enthusiast wants individuality, originality and chic. And one of the most popular ways to bring original design in the interior of the cabin - this is the steering wheel reupholstery. At the same time, it is also an excellent element of car tuning.

It is worth noting that servicing the steering wheel is an expensive pleasure. That's why best way V in this case, reupholstering the steering wheel with leather yourself, which will save money and add individuality. Everything that is made by hand is exclusive in a single copy.

Re-upholstery process

Before proceeding directly to the reupholstery, you need to decide what material the steering wheel will be covered with and choose its color.

The most convenient leather to use is perforated leather, it is softer and more elastic, and it is more convenient and comfortable to work with than smooth leather. Although smooth leather has its advantages, it is more wear-resistant than perforated leather. Optimal thickness skin should vary between 1.2 - 1.4 mm.

Not everyone can ideally cover a steering wheel with leather. Working with leather requires certain knowledge and skills, so this expensive pleasure, like covering a steering wheel with leather, should be done by a master of his craft. Otherwise, you can ruin expensive material, as a result of which you simply waste money. Among other things, the most popular steering wheel upholstery is leather - it is comfortable, pleasant to the touch and durable.

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Below you can see instructions for installing the steering leather braid:

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