Leather wheel wrap

I have one of these on my car and love it. The key is to take your time (took me about 90 minutes) and be meticilious as you sew. I would recommend that you place it on the wheel and then take some string and tie it tightly at about 4 spots around the wheel to make sure you have it straight and have the seam centered where you want it on the inside of the rim. Then just be careful that you locate the hole opposite the one you are coming out of and once through the pre-punched leather hole, pull snugly on the thread. Several have recommended a knitting hook to assist with pulling the thread tight and then ocassionally going back and snugging what you have already sewn to keep it very tight. THe two seam edges should join all the way around the wheel.

Wheel skins makes a great quality product and you can pull snugly on the thread as you sew. The good news is that once you get it on, if you do not like the way it came out, unlace it and start over. As long as you are patient and pull carefully, you can pull the thread snug with no problem.

Another suggestion wuld be to do this when the leather is nice and warm like it has been sitting in the sun for a while to make it stretch as you sew and easier to work with.

Good luck.

 

I've been thinking about doing this to. I hate the carpet armrest and I morried that it might get soiled. Any chance you can post some pictures?

 

I have a few more suggestions.

Sew loosely for a few inches, then take a crochet hook and pull tighter and keep doing that, sort of like lacing a shoe.

I also doing a Herringbone or crossover lacing, like a shoe or a baseball as opposed to the whipstitch or simple loop over that the directions usually direct.

But to lace like a baseball or shoe you'd need to pull the thread through to the halfway mark and then put a needle on each end, so you'd have to buy a second needle.

I love my wheelskins. At first having the wheel so thick bothered me, but I'm used to it now. I'm going to contact a local upholtery shop and have the armrests and center console done in leather. I'm sure it won't be very much as I'm not having the seats done only the armrests and console. I just have to decide if I want black or ivory.

 

I LOVE wheel skins and have put them on all of my cars, and all my friends cars. After doing about 20 of them, you get pretty good! I can do one in about 25 minutes now.

1. Wear leather gloves.
2. Watch that the extra thread (especially at the beginning) doesn't get tangled and knotted when you pull it through.
3. Count the holes TWICE when you skip a spoke to make sure you enter the proper hole to begin again after the spoke.
4. If the thread breaks, you can easily re-knot it and keep going (regardless of what the instructions say, you really CAN pull to tight!
5. Be sure the seam (the one you're creating) stays in the middle of the wheel. It has a tendency to wander, and once you start going, it is tough to "rotate" the thing!

You will LOVE it when it is done!

The last three cars I've done. Rav4EV, Ford Ranger EV and Honda Civic.
http://www.darelldd.com/ev/images/rav4/rav...v_wheelskin.jpg
http://www.darelldd.com/ev/images/ranger/r...wheelskin02.jpg
http://www.darelldd.com/ev/images/misc/civic_wheelskin.jpg

 

I did my wheel skin today with my wife...took 2 hours, BUT it does look real good. My fingers are already sore...likely will be worse tommorrow.

I believe it was worth the time, effort, money, and pain in my fingers. Using a crochet hook is a great idea...wish I new it before I started.

It does look good, and feels good.

 

Yay! Glad to hear it all worked out right in the end! Now you're spoiled and will need one for every future car. Trust me - they get easier to put on with each one. I don't think one has taken me more than 30 minutes in a while - and that includes the mandatory half-way beer.

 

WheelSkins Maintenance...

The instructions say to use a soap like Ivory and water. I telephoned them asked them about Lexol or any other high quality leather cleaner/preservative and Wheelskins said DEFINETLY NOT. They said ONLY soap and water or the finish may come off.

?????????? Anyone understand why no LEXOL and only soap and water?

Thanks,

PS: The install IS worth the time and effort...

 

I've used nothing but 303 Aerospace protectant on mine for many years and many vehicles. I've never had a problem. Didn't even know I was supposed to use soap and water. Haven't read the instructions in 15 years.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Bill P @ Mar 13 2006, 07:48 PM) [snapback]224463[/snapback]</div>

I used Lexol on a factory wheel cover on my 86 Escort GT back in the 90s, and it cracked the leather a few days later. I even followed with the conditioner. Never again.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Walker1 @ Feb 4 2006, 11:28 AM) [snapback]203713[/snapback]</div>

I have a bisque interior. I had my arm rests and the console re-upholstered instead of buying a pre-made cover as I have seen on E-Bay. I used a slightly darker leather, because it was on-hand and thus made the job cheaper. It gives a nice light two tone quality to the interior, sort of like accents. It was $65 per arm rest (I just did the front two as I rarely have backseat passengers) and $75 for the console. The dealer tried to steer me to a place that wanted $450+.

I don't know if you have noticed but the fabric under the air intake for the battery (back seat) is incredible cheesy. I'd like to do something about that.