Wheelskins (Steering wheel cover)

[grahamy]

After market leather -- for a Prius II or III - is usually superior and covers more parts of the car other than the factory installation, except for one part, the steering wheel. It sounds to me that wheelskins are a very desirable complement to make an after-market leather job even more worthwhile.

[momo]

I just order wheelskins original (one color) black (No perforated) from dccarcare.com ($34.95 included shipping). Size is 14 1/4 x 4.

Can't wait to get this product and try it on the Gen III Prius.

[pdxrose]

Originally Posted by grahamy

After market leather -- for a Prius II or III - is usually superior and covers more parts of the car other than the factory installation, except for one part, the steering wheel. It sounds to me that wheelskins are a very desirable complement to make an after-market leather job even more worthwhile.

I miss the leather wrapped wheel more than the seats. Both after market companies I spoke with offer a wheel wrap and each charge about $200 for the wheel. High when compared to the total leather cost of seats, consoles and doors which are $1,150 (not heated) because of the labor time to instal. They said its time intensive, even for them, to wrap it - about an hour. The firm I am using will send a piece of their leather to Wheelskins to make, then wrap it after they get it back. They had no interest in making their own so it appears Wheelskins has captured the market.

[LRKingII]

Originally Posted by pdxrose

I miss the leather wrapped wheel more than the seats. Both after market companies I spoke with offer a wheel wrap and each charge about $200 for the wheel. High when compared to the total leather cost of seats, consoles and doors which are $1,150 (not heated) because of the labor time to instal. They said its time intensive, even for them, to wrap it - about an hour. The firm I am using will send a piece of their leather to Wheelskins to make, then wrap it after they get it back. They had no interest in making their own so it appears Wheelskins has captured the market.

I'm confused. Why didn't you just buy a wheelskin and install it?

[pdxrose]

Originally Posted by LRKingII

I'm confused. Why didn't you just buy a wheelskin and install it?

Good question but...I want it to match the after market leather I will have installed in the car (picked something slightly different). Also, I have no talent for sewing the wheelskin on which takes 30 to 45 minutes if one does and 1 hour+ if one does not. I am self-employed, so would rather pay $100 for someone else's time (special order where we send my leather costs about $50 more at WS then if you pick their stock).

[LRKingII]

Originally Posted by pdxrose

Good question but...I want it to match the after market leather I will have installed in the car (picked something slightly different). Also, I have no talent for sewing the wheelskin on which takes 30 to 45 minutes if one does and 1 hour+ if one does not. I am self-employed, so would rather pay $100 for someone else's time (special order where we send my leather costs about $50 more at WS then if you pick their stock).

OK now i understand.
I'm still waiting for a answer from anyone on the seams in a 2 tone wheelskin. "Do the joining seams cause a comfort problem"

[jbedi]

Originally Posted by momo

I just order wheelskins original (one color) black (No perforated) from dccarcare.com ($34.95 included shipping). Size is 14 1/4 x 4.

Can't wait to get this product and try it on the Gen III Prius.

Please let us know how it comes out. I have a III and would like to put leather on streeing wheels. Thanks.

[momo]

Originally Posted by jbedi

Please let us know how it comes out. I have a III and would like to put leather on streeing wheels. Thanks.

Sure.

They sent out the product yesterday, so I should have it next week. And the online store told me actually he received few 2010 Prius order yesterday after my order. (may be because of this thread)

[cpatch]

Originally Posted by momo

They sent out the product yesterday, so I should have it next week. And the online store told me actually he received few 2010 Prius order yesterday after my order. (may be because of this thread)

Can you post photos once you have it installed?

I received samples today for the black, charcoal, and gray. The charcoal is pretty close to the dark gray cloth in my interior and the gray is darker than the misty gray cloth but still light enough that it looks like it would show dirt easily. The charcoal looks like it will keep the current look of the steering wheel while the black gives it a nice three-tone effect. The black sample is perforated and looks pretty much like the photos on the company web site. It's a very distinct look compared to the regular leather...I'm sure it probably helps a little if your hands are sweaty but I think it really comes down to which look you prefer.

[cdw]

I installed the Wheelskins for my 2010 Prius II yesterday. Main reason I did so was that the silver plastic part of the steering wheel does not sit flush with the rest of the wheel at the bottom, and it has been driving me nuts since I picked up my Gen3.

I picked up the Charcoal color, which does a pretty good job of matching up with the Dark Gray interior.

Comes with cover plus two spools and needles (see below), and easy to follow instructions. Installation takes about an hour, and if you've ever sewn something before, you should be fine.



Full views:





Close up of the spokes.