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View Full Version : Reupholstering a steering wheel.



Airbrush1
12-31-2015, 08:56 PM
Well, I had started a diy D-cut oem wheel project, but lost interest a bit and let it go by the wayside... I have since spent time researching having my aftermarket wheel reupholstered, and found that it is inordinately expensive (especially for a wheel I paid nearly nothing for).

Most shops (if you can find one that will take on the work) charge in the neighborhood of $500 to do a wheel for you. This seems stupid expensive until you factor in reasonable labor charges. If hand lacing/stitching a wheel takes an entire day of work in a retail setting, then $500 is a bargain for the end consumer. That said, there's no way I'm spending that for something that I feel like I can do myself (with some help of course)

I'm going to document my journey here! This is my starting point :)
http://i210.photobucket.com/albums/bb77/airbrush711/Mobile%20Uploads/20151230_083026.jpg (http://s210.photobucket.com/user/airbrush711/media/Mobile%20Uploads/20151230_083026.jpg.html)
A Personal Fittipaldi wheel, unknown date of manufacture, unknown history. Super rough cosmetically around the grip, but otherwise in great shape, and worth saving! It feels awesome in my hands, and I think the Nardi Tokyo horn button will look great with it once it's finished up.

http://i210.photobucket.com/albums/bb77/airbrush711/Mobile%20Uploads/20151231_132957.jpg (http://s210.photobucket.com/user/airbrush711/media/Mobile%20Uploads/20151231_132957.jpg.html)
Today, I carefully removed all of the leather from the wheel, taking care not to rip it, as I will need it for measurements and pattern making. It came off pretty easily in 4 pieces (one for the rim, and one for each spoke), and this Is what I'm left with.

I'll hopefully be getting materials together late next week. I have a friend that owns an upholstery shop who should be invaluable help, but I welcome any input or guidance you might want to give me. I'm excited to do this!

Agent☣Orange
12-31-2015, 10:22 PM
For $500, I'd learn how to sew.

bogaut
12-31-2015, 10:25 PM
theres a place in texas that does it for around 300 including shipping

BoBo
12-31-2015, 10:52 PM
I used Alan Gun on my old Boxster and 92 miata steering wheel. I don't remember how much I paid but it was worth it.

http://www.aglausa.com/p/home.html

Or to save cash just cut a new leather for the wheel and do your own install.

Airbrush1
01-01-2016, 12:17 AM
I hadn't seen their work! I'm still going to try to tackle it myself first, but if it doesn't work, 200 bucks is a lot better than 5!

HarryB
01-01-2016, 08:08 AM
Most places here charge around 100 from what I've heard; we are half way around the planet though...

roadsternut
01-04-2016, 03:04 PM
I would have wet and dry sanded that wheel, to take off the surface, and redye with black leather upholstery dye, topped off by a sealer. Worked well on a Nardi I had, and on a very worn Victoria D-cut wheel.

CMP
01-04-2016, 03:45 PM
I talked to Redline about this a while back, they quoted me $275 and they'd need the wheel for a while.

Airbrush1
01-04-2016, 06:34 PM
Redline wanted almost $500 when I talked to them :(
I had considered refinishing the current covering, but it was just too far gone to meet my standards

RustRat
01-05-2016, 01:22 AM
I have the OEM NA8 eu (eww) spec steering wheel. The three spoke one, not the nice, minimalistic ones. A chunky piece of plastic with a similar design to the NB steering wheels, with space for airbag, even though my car didn't have airbags. I'll try to get some photos later.

The plastic rim is badly worn and pieces are missing. Should I try to customize it, add and integrate some buttons to control the stereo and other stuff, and reupholster it? Would it be worth it? Maybe I'll use it as a daily, and swap my nardi whenever I feel like it.

kung fu jesus
01-14-2016, 02:29 PM
there are a few places, one was in Texas, really popular among the BMW set, I'll see if I can find it. NOT cheap, but the stitching details and material quality was excellent.

Airbrush1
01-15-2016, 01:50 AM
I've spoken to the company that I believe you are talking about. They quoted me $450 as a general low end estimate

Airbrush1
02-12-2016, 04:05 PM
Some progress made! I finally stopped at my buddy's upholstery shop to pick up some materials and pick his brain a bit. He cut me a deal on some remnants from a murcielago job he did (black leather matching that used in the miura) I'll be soaking the old leather overnight to relax it, and then smoothing it and clamping it between two pieces of wood to flatten it and make using it as a pattern much easier.

I'll then cut the pattern out of the new leather, and take it back for him to stitch the edge so I can lace it up at home.

Sneak preview of some work he did recently on some carbon/Kevlar recaro's from an rx-7
http://i210.photobucket.com/albums/bb77/airbrush711/Mobile%20Uploads/image.jpeg (http://s210.photobucket.com/user/airbrush711/media/Mobile%20Uploads/image.jpeg.html)
I'm so tempted to get a set and have him re-do them for me, they're gorgeous!

bogaut
02-12-2016, 08:09 PM
oh man. now i need suede covers for mine

Airbrush1
03-03-2016, 10:56 AM
http://i210.photobucket.com/albums/bb77/airbrush711/Mobile%20Uploads/image_4.jpeg (http://s210.photobucket.com/user/airbrush711/media/Mobile%20Uploads/image_4.jpeg.html)

http://i210.photobucket.com/albums/bb77/airbrush711/Mobile%20Uploads/image_3.jpeg (http://s210.photobucket.com/user/airbrush711/media/Mobile%20Uploads/image_3.jpeg.html)

I started stitching today! This is my first attempt, the other areas should turn out a bit better!

kung fu jesus
03-03-2016, 11:03 AM
Nice. Work.

This is awesome, you went out, got some advice from a pro, secured materials, did it yourself. Well done, good sir, well done!

Airbrush1
03-03-2016, 09:54 PM
Thanks! Can't wait to see how it turns out once it's complete. I have a few stitches out of order on the first panel, hopefully I can make the other two perfect.

kung fu jesus
03-03-2016, 10:07 PM
The nice thing is if you mis-stitch you can rip the seam in that panel and do it again, if so inclined.

Airbrush1
03-06-2016, 01:01 PM
http://i210.photobucket.com/albums/bb77/airbrush711/Mobile%20Uploads/image_6.jpeg (http://s210.photobucket.com/user/airbrush711/media/Mobile%20Uploads/image_6.jpeg.html)

http://i210.photobucket.com/albums/bb77/airbrush711/Mobile%20Uploads/image_5.jpeg (http://s210.photobucket.com/user/airbrush711/media/Mobile%20Uploads/image_5.jpeg.html)

All finished! I learned a LOT doing this, and I think I could do it perfectly if I chose to do another one! It's super labor intensive, and my fingers are all cut up from pulling thread tight. I have a newfound respect for the craftsmen that do this day in and day out!

Overall I'm happy with it, and I WILL install it in the car :)

Agent☣Orange
03-06-2016, 01:08 PM
That is amazing! Great job!




When can you do mine?

Airbrush1
03-06-2016, 01:16 PM
Thanks! I'm not really sure I'm up to doing anyone else's at the moment, I have a lot to learn before I'm confident enough to take on any work for anyone else :)

etikoner
03-07-2016, 07:55 PM
I must say that came out quite nice.

Bravo!

kung fu jesus
03-07-2016, 08:06 PM
Kudos. Every time somebody asks you about it in person, you can tell them you did it yourself, dropping the mic.

Malibu Q
03-08-2016, 02:20 AM
Well done Airbrush1! I love reading where a member has built something worthwhile from their own labour. Looks great. I'd rock that!

Airbrush1
03-08-2016, 03:06 AM
Thanks everyone! Now I'll have to install it this week!

Stealth97
03-08-2016, 09:16 PM
looks great! You give me inspiration for my momo monte carlo, which is a marine model with white vinyl rim that I dyed black years ago.

theothersawyer
03-10-2016, 06:54 PM
Looks good! You should be proud!

mrdos
03-10-2016, 10:47 PM
I will have to do mine now - no more excuses after seeng this beauty done! Did your buddy give you any ideas how to fix out thumb pads that are worn down and missing chunks? Thats the only reason I havent started mine yet.

Airbrush1
03-10-2016, 10:52 PM
Ahh, I have some stuff at home for that. I forget the name of it though. I'll try to remember and look at it when I get home tomorrow!

Airbrush1
03-18-2016, 08:51 PM
http://i210.photobucket.com/albums/bb77/airbrush711/Mobile%20Uploads/image_8.jpeg (http://s210.photobucket.com/user/airbrush711/media/Mobile%20Uploads/image_8.jpeg.html)

http://i210.photobucket.com/albums/bb77/airbrush711/Mobile%20Uploads/image_7.jpeg (http://s210.photobucket.com/user/airbrush711/media/Mobile%20Uploads/image_7.jpeg.html)

Installed! I knew I'd love it, and I really do! Install went great, didn't take long at all since the miataroadster hub kit was so complete :)

Demon I Am
03-19-2016, 06:32 AM
Terrific job!

radmachine
03-26-2016, 12:23 PM
Awesome work!

etikoner
07-19-2017, 03:04 PM
I wanted to see the pictures in this thread. They're all gone :(

Airbrush1
07-19-2017, 03:59 PM
Stupid photobucket

Agent☣Orange
07-19-2017, 04:28 PM
http://www.bbc.com/news/technology-40492668

https://www.theverge.com/2017/7/4/15919224/photobucket-broken-images-amazon-ebay-etsy-paid-update

etikoner
07-19-2017, 04:32 PM
Yep.. Kinda like the reformatting of the computers and holding for ransom of bitcoins. Except it's legal.

One of the reasons I declined to update my build thread is because every time I get on photobucket I get inundated with terrible ad's that slow my computer down. Wonder how hard it'll be to save my 10+ years worth of photos that I saved on there.

freedomgli
07-20-2017, 08:34 AM
Angelfire, Geocities, Photobucket, now even SoundCloud is rumored to be going bust, which is a big bummer since all of my band's music is hosted their for our website and for exposure. I'm always torn between hosting things myself or relying on 3rd parties with snazzy features. All too often, those 3rd parties end up disappointing me. Flickr has had it's ups and downs but at least my 10+ years of photos are still safe there. For now at least....

Airbrush1
07-21-2017, 10:31 AM
Yeah, I have 10+ years of stuff on there. Multiple build threads. It's bullshit