Shorts Report post Posted February 26, 2009 Hey folks, I bought me a new truck and I'm thinking about random leather accents on the interior. The first thing I need is a wrap on the steering wheel. Its a little bit slick! I'm sitting around the house here with 4/5oz leather wondering what I can do with it. I realize I can go to Autozone and buy a steering wheel wrap. But I don't wanna do that Thoughts? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
TrooperChuck Report post Posted February 26, 2009 I have a 1965 Ford F350 flatbed truck that's in pretty good shape for its age. Over the years, the steering wheel lost most of its surface coating and, if your hands were a bit wet, they got coated with a sticky black stain. I figured, "well, it's time for a new steering wheel", and went to a couple auto parts stores to find one. That was an eye opener! Steering wheels for that vintage of truck are well over $100. That's a bit more than I wanted to spend on a truck that I only use for hauling hay. So, I took some chrome tanned chap leather, which was about 5 oz. in thickness, cut a long strip of the right width, and sewed it on the steering wheel with a baseball stitch. I put the stitches on the inside of the wheel's circumference. It didn't turn out beautiful, but it has stood up to lots of use. If I did it again, I'm sure I could do a better job. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Crystal Report post Posted February 26, 2009 Here's one from a previous post. http://leatherworker.net/forum/index.php?s...;steering\ Good luck! And of course all us picture hounds would love to see it when you are done! Crystal Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Shorts Report post Posted February 27, 2009 Oh my goodness, that link wit the braided wheel is great! Crystal, I'm not sure I have the patience for that Then again, I have hand-stitched a belt! lol I have a piece of leather cut out and ready for something. Ideas? BTW, dad found out I was making something for my truck and I think I've been commissioned to do something for his! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Shorts Report post Posted February 28, 2009 (edited) TrooperChuck, I did the same as you. Git it on there and stitch her up! It's nothing special but its finished. I used the stitch in the example of the drink koozie in Stohlman's book. Then wiped it down with a mixture of water and alcohol to final fit and set the stitches. It's going to be left untreated to wear as it will. Starting out the stitching was a bit of a trick as the piece of leather was just hanging on the wheel without much support. It'd be easier with two hands and maybe a tie down of some kind to hold the piece in place while securing the first 5 stitches. All in all, not bad. Took a couple hours. I started it last night and then finished it up this morning in the daylight. I used black thread as it matches the interior, plus it'll stay 'cleaner' longer. I'm anticipating the leather will darken from the sun and hand oils so that it will compliment the faux wood trim. (sorry about the quality of the cell phone photos) More than likely I'll be doing dad's steering wheel when my fingers stop hurting. That wheel is pretty torn up from 10 years of service life. I also want to do more leather accents in the truck. Once I get the shop up and rolling again my truck will be displaying the leather as well as transporting the goods and of course, me Edited February 28, 2009 by Shorts Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rawhide1 Report post Posted February 28, 2009 Shorts That turned out pretty darn good!! Thanks for sharing the finished product. Mike Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Shorts Report post Posted February 28, 2009 ShortsThat turned out pretty darn good!! Thanks for sharing the finished product. Mike Thanks Mike Looking at it again I really skimped on the leather prep on this project. I didn't even bevel or burnish the edges! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rawhide1 Report post Posted February 28, 2009 Ah hell Shorts the oil form your hands and the friction from them will have the edges burnished in no time. And besides ya aint showing it in the state fair are ya. LOL Mike Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Shorts Report post Posted February 28, 2009 So true! And not yet anyway! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
TrooperChuck Report post Posted March 1, 2009 That looks pretty danged good to me! Thanks for showing it to us. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Crystal Report post Posted March 1, 2009 That came out really nice! I like it. I would never have had the patience to stitch that on. You get a double thumbs up! Crystal Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Shorts Report post Posted March 1, 2009 That came out really nice! I like it. I would never have had the patience to stitch that on. You get a double thumbs up! Crystal Thanks Crystal! I don't know why I chose to stitch. In fact I asked myself that as I was only a 1/4 the way into it Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
