Home  |  Forums  |  914 Info  |  Blogs
 
914World.com - The fastest growing online 914 community!
 
Porsche, and the Porsche crest are registered trademarks of Dr. Ing. h.c. F. Porsche AG. This site is not affiliated with Porsche in any way.
Its only purpose is to provide an online forum for car enthusiasts. All other trademarks are property of their respective owners.
 

Welcome Guest ( Log In | Register )

2 Pages V  1 2 >  
 Reply to this topicStart new topic
> Leather steering wheel
Montreal914
post Dec 18 2011, 03:07 PM
Post #1


Senior Member
***

Group: Members
Posts: 1,541
Joined: 8-August 10
From: Claremont, CA
Member No.: 12,023
Region Association: Southern California
Hello everyone,

I recently decided to rebuild my stock steering wheel and wrap it with leather. I got the kit from All Gun Leather in Florida. There are two options with this kit. Leather wrap on the plastic or making your steering like the 70’s 911RS which has a thicker grip. Basically, the plastic steering gets covered with felt then wrapped with leather. The key for this project is patience.

I first sanded down and repainted the spokes

Attached Image



Then I fitted the felt and cut it to size. It needs to wrap around and join but without any overlap.

Attached Image



Then I sprayed some adhesive and glued the felt cutting around the plastic part of the spoke.

Attached Image

Cross stitching is the next step. This is fairly easy. You just need a length of thread and a needle at each end (all supplied with the kit). For the thread, I estimated about 6 to 8 times the peripheral length that I was going to stitch.

Attached Image

I started with the two short areas between the spokes, then the bottom part, and finally the top. The leather is pre punched which helps a lot but you have to be careful and count the number of holes to make sure they match. Sometime you need to adjust.

Attached Image

Attached Image



Once the work is done, you finish the job using a heat gun to smooth out the wrinkles, making sure you protect the treads because they will melt.

Attached Image

Attached Image



Bolt on and enjoy your ride. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/driving.gif)

Attached Image



This project was a slow process and took about 5 nights of stitching (1-2h/n, one area at a time). I thought it was fun and the satisfaction when finished is well worth the work. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/beer3.gif)
Thank you to Mr.Kona for the inspiration. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/beerchug.gif)
User is offlineProfile CardPM
Go to the top of the page
+Quote Post
mrbubblehead
post Dec 18 2011, 03:22 PM
Post #2


Twodollardoug
***

Group: Members
Posts: 1,155
Joined: 17-December 10
From: calimesa ca.
Member No.: 12,492
Region Association: Southern California
WOW! great job. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/first.gif)
User is offlineProfile CardPM
Go to the top of the page
+Quote Post
c12croft
post Dec 18 2011, 03:41 PM
Post #3


Member
**

Group: Members
Posts: 167
Joined: 24-December 04
From: Long Island, New York
Member No.: 3,331
Beautiful, but please explain how to create that double stitching?
Is it double threaded as you go along stitching?
Is there adhesive over the felt?
User is offlineProfile CardPM
Go to the top of the page
+Quote Post
Montreal914
post Dec 18 2011, 04:04 PM
Post #4


Senior Member
***

Group: Members
Posts: 1,541
Joined: 8-August 10
From: Claremont, CA
Member No.: 12,023
Region Association: Southern California
QUOTE(c12croft @ Dec 18 2011, 01:41 PM) *

Beautiful, but please explain how to create that double stitching?
Is it double threaded as you go along stitching?
Is there adhesive over the felt?


There is no adhesive between the felt and the leather. The leather is tight around it when you stich it so it doesn't slip.

For cross stiching, look at this youtube and your set to go. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/thumb3d.gif)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jFBAwFjLhHo
User is offlineProfile CardPM
Go to the top of the page
+Quote Post
Drums66
post Dec 18 2011, 04:05 PM
Post #5


914 Rudiments
*****

Group: Members
Posts: 5,321
Joined: 15-January 03
From: Coronado,Cali
Member No.: 151
Region Association: Southwest Region
......Really cool...I like that! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smilie_pokal.gif)
(IMG:style_emoticons/default/shades.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/bye1.gif)(Mr. kona)
User is offlineProfile CardPM
Go to the top of the page
+Quote Post
mepstein
post Dec 18 2011, 04:13 PM
Post #6


914-6 GT in waiting
***************

Group: Members
Posts: 19,244
Joined: 19-September 09
From: Landenberg, PA/Wilmington, DE
Member No.: 10,825
Region Association: MidAtlantic Region
Terrific job. I know it costs about $350 to have it done by the pros but I don't think I have the patience to do it myself. Most of the home wrapped ones I've seen have big wrinkles. Yours looks great!

ps - I think you meant Alan Gun - right?
User is online!Profile CardPM
Go to the top of the page
+Quote Post
MrKona
post Dec 18 2011, 04:13 PM
Post #7


Senior Member
***

Group: Members
Posts: 597
Joined: 25-July 05
From: Santa Rosa, CA
Member No.: 4,469
Region Association: None
Wow! That looks great!
User is offlineProfile CardPM
Go to the top of the page
+Quote Post
partwerks
post Dec 18 2011, 04:22 PM
Post #8


Senior Member
***

Group: Members
Posts: 1,593
Joined: 7-September 06
From: Grand Island, NE
Member No.: 6,787
The texture appears like it would match the dash better?
User is offlineProfile CardPM
Go to the top of the page
+Quote Post
Montreal914
post Dec 18 2011, 04:50 PM
Post #9


Senior Member
***

Group: Members
Posts: 1,541
Joined: 8-August 10
From: Claremont, CA
Member No.: 12,023
Region Association: Southern California
QUOTE(mepstein @ Dec 18 2011, 02:13 PM) *

Terrific job. I know it costs about $350 to have it done by the pros but I don't think I have the patience to do it myself. Most of the home wrapped ones I've seen have big wrinkles. Yours looks great!

ps - I think you meant Alan Gun - right?


Yes, Alan Gun.
As for wrinkles, patience, preciseness and thoroughness...and heat gun!
User is offlineProfile CardPM
Go to the top of the page
+Quote Post
no1uno
post Dec 18 2011, 04:57 PM
Post #10


Member
**

Group: Members
Posts: 206
Joined: 2-December 10
From: Melbourne, FL
Member No.: 12,448
Region Association: South East States
That turned out really great. Did the felt come in the kit or did you just add it to the leather kit? My wheel looks terrible - I thought I would have to buy aftermarket. That looks doable if I take my time.
User is offlineProfile CardPM
Go to the top of the page
+Quote Post
Montreal914
post Dec 18 2011, 06:30 PM
Post #11


Senior Member
***

Group: Members
Posts: 1,541
Joined: 8-August 10
From: Claremont, CA
Member No.: 12,023
Region Association: Southern California
QUOTE(no1uno @ Dec 18 2011, 02:57 PM) *

That turned out really great. Did the felt come in the kit or did you just add it to the leather kit? My wheel looks terrible - I thought I would have to buy aftermarket. That looks doable if I take my time.


Very doable and taking your time is key.

There two available kits:
one to recover the plastic steering
one to recover the plastic steering with felt padding.

The one with the felt is called 911RS as it is the same steering as the 914! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)

The leather would not be the same in the two kits because of the difference in the grip diameter.

Again, patience and making sure the number of holes fit especially when you start stitching and when you're close to an end. For example, if you look closely at this image, you can see 8 stitches from the begining to the inner corner. I started on the fourth hole on the back side leather. Once your done you cut the excess leather off.
The wrinkles will go away with the heat gun but you need to protect the thread because they will melt!

Attached Image
User is offlineProfile CardPM
Go to the top of the page
+Quote Post
scotty b
post Dec 18 2011, 09:26 PM
Post #12


rust free you say ?
***************

Group: Members
Posts: 16,375
Joined: 7-January 05
From: richmond, Va.
Member No.: 3,419
Region Association: None
(IMG:style_emoticons/default/first.gif) Awesome job. I thought about trying it at one time, but decided to send it out when the time is right/. I'm not sure I have that kind of patience (IMG:style_emoticons/default/unsure.gif)
User is offlineProfile CardPM
Go to the top of the page
+Quote Post
rjames
post Dec 19 2011, 01:00 AM
Post #13


I'm made of metal
****

Group: Members
Posts: 3,917
Joined: 24-July 05
From: Shoreline, WA
Member No.: 4,467
Region Association: Pacific Northwest
Looks fantastic!! You just need to paint the wings of the part that sounds the horn and it'll look perfect!
User is offlineProfile CardPM
Go to the top of the page
+Quote Post
Tom_T
post Dec 19 2011, 02:13 AM
Post #14


TMI....
*****

Group: Members
Posts: 8,318
Joined: 19-March 09
From: Orange, CA
Member No.: 10,181
Region Association: Southern California
Great job! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smilie_pokal.gif)

Do the spray painting on the metal part of the horn butterfly too & you'll have a (IMG:style_emoticons/default/first.gif)
User is offlineProfile CardPM
Go to the top of the page
+Quote Post
charliew
post Dec 19 2011, 08:43 AM
Post #15


Advanced Member
****

Group: Members
Posts: 2,363
Joined: 31-July 07
From: Crawford, TX.
Member No.: 7,958
Good job. Especially for in the bathroom. I can do one wheel watching sunday football on the couch. It does make your fingers sore though. I've done a few stainless spoke foam wheels for my jeeps and k5. Is the thread in the kit waxed? The thread I use is for sewing leather and won't melt but needs to be retreated every few years to keep it from fraying.
User is offlineProfile CardPM
Go to the top of the page
+Quote Post
JawjaPorsche
post Dec 19 2011, 02:02 PM
Post #16


Advanced Member
****

Group: Members
Posts: 3,463
Joined: 23-July 11
From: Clayton, Georgia
Member No.: 13,351
Region Association: South East States
That is awesome work Montreal914 did on the steering wheel. If you are lazy (like me!) or have no stitching skills (like me!), consider a ten dollar steering wheel cover from Auto Zone. I like the fact that it makes the steering wheel kinda fat which is easier on the hands. Autocraft makes the cover. I don't know have long it will last but for $10 you can't go wrong.


Attached image(s)
Attached Image
User is offlineProfile CardPM
Go to the top of the page
+Quote Post
rjames
post Dec 19 2011, 02:13 PM
Post #17


I'm made of metal
****

Group: Members
Posts: 3,917
Joined: 24-July 05
From: Shoreline, WA
Member No.: 4,467
Region Association: Pacific Northwest
QUOTE
I first sanded down and repainted the spokes



What paint did you use on the spokes?
User is offlineProfile CardPM
Go to the top of the page
+Quote Post
gothspeed
post Dec 19 2011, 03:10 PM
Post #18


Senior Member
***

Group: Members
Posts: 1,539
Joined: 3-February 09
From: SoCal
Member No.: 10,019
Region Association: None
Fantastic job!!!!! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/first.gif)
User is offlineProfile CardPM
Go to the top of the page
+Quote Post
Highland
post Dec 19 2011, 03:20 PM
Post #19


Senior Member
***

Group: Members
Posts: 512
Joined: 8-August 11
From: San Diego, CA
Member No.: 13,418
Region Association: Southern California
Nice job. Alan Gunn redid my sterring wheel and your looks as good as his professional job. Does anyone know how to safely remove the horn pad from the frame to have the frame refinished?
User is offlineProfile CardPM
Go to the top of the page
+Quote Post
ConeDodger
post Dec 19 2011, 06:14 PM
Post #20


Apex killer!
***************

Group: Members
Posts: 23,565
Joined: 31-December 04
From: Tahoe Area
Member No.: 3,380
Region Association: Northern California
Alan Gunn redid mine a few years back. I would have done the kit but the guy who answered the phone quoted me $175 for "fat wrap" job... Hell, I am not going to bother with 10 hours of stitching when they will do it for $175. Turns out that guy doesn't work there any longer. Seems he quoted a bunch of jobs like that! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/blink.gif)
User is offlineProfile CardPM
Go to the top of the page
+Quote Post
« Next Oldest · 914World Garage · Next Newest »
 

2 Pages V  1 2 >
Reply to this topicStart new topic
1 User(s) are reading this topic (1 Guests and 0 Anonymous Users)
0 Members:

 

Display Mode: Standard · Switch to: Linear+ · Switch to: Outline

Track this topic · Email this topic · Print this topic · Subscribe to this forum

- Lo-Fi Version Time is now: 28th April 2024 - 06:39 AM
Invision Power Board v9.1.4 © 2024  IPS, Inc.
All rights reserved 914World.com © since 2002
914World.com is the fastest growing online 914 community!
We have it all, classifieds, events, forums, vendors, parts, autocross, racing, technical articles, events calendar, newsletter, restoration, gallery, archives, history and more for your Porsche 914 ...