Another leather steering wheel cover option.

It looks like the Japanese option is by far the best out there. Maybe someone will take that idea, and make it more available to the US and elsewhere - $110 is a bit steep - but that should come down...

I'll buy it when it become more reasonable.

Still waiting on someone with a *good* install of the Wheelskins to post pics - I still haven't seen a decent install. Like the idea of installing under the plastic though!

 

I'm going to order a wheelskin and try it. Will keep you guys updated. I looked at the wheel yesterday so see how to take it apart and it doesn't look too much harder than what I had to do to take the pieces off my last car to paint them.

Edit: Any ideas on what color would match the wheel the best? I have a Bisque interior but I don't think wrapping the wheel in the color would look good. I'm thinking a dark grey or black.

 

Funny - not sure about Bisque-ness. I had a 2010 with LT Gray all around (gets dirty easy, and pretty plain) - I put in the dark gray (leather) seats which ended up looking very nice (contrast in grays - and at the time for dirt). Looked very good.

I'm now on my second 2010, and this time it is dark gray inside (didn't even notice when I bought it) - and I put in the light gray (misty gray) leather for contrast - and have on order the lt gray cup holder trim piece... Am also looking for lt gray steering (as the dark gray is too dark - like the light is too light).

It looks very good also...

 

I think I'm just going to get a color that will match the plastic part of the steering where (or at least close as possible) so that it will blend in. There will still be a small portion of plastic exposed on the left and right upper spokes where the steering wheel controls are so I'm hoping that will be the best route.

I also think that no matter which color leather you get on a IV and V, the wheel is still a light grey leather.

 

Just an update. I was going to try and do this today since I was at Pep Boys and they have some leather wheel skin things similar to the Wheelskins brand ones. Unforunately they didn't have the size I needed so I wasn't able to try it tonight. I called a few other places nearby me and finally tracked down a black smooth leather skin in hopefully the size I need. I'm going tomorrow morning to pick it up and hopefully will be able to update you guys on if putting the plastic covers over the skin works. I was messing around today and it looks like I may need to cut the leather a bit so that the silver controls will fit back.

 

Very cool! I am very interested to see the final result. BTW. How easy is it to remove the silver cover?

 

Its pretty easy. Just remove the screws that hold the airbag in place and move the airbag on top of the wheel. Then you unscrew the steering control pieces and move them to where you can do the wrapping.

 

What size wheelskin did you buy for the 2010?

 

Hey just a little update to what's been going on with my wheel cover. Never was able to track down the right size cover from the 3rd party so I'm probably going to pull the trigger on a wheel skins one. Just wondering how thick they are? There's not much room to play with underneath the plastic covers so it may need trimming and I don't really want to trim a 50-60 dollar piece of leather haha

 

I've had Wheelskins on two cars and put one on mine when I bought a year ago. OP was right about it taking patience and skill but I enjoy a good craft project now and again and everything went as OP outlined. a year on I am very happy with the wheelskin. It is not OEM but the value...outstanding.

 

Has anyone here tried the steering wheel cover from Rakuten on their 10-11 Prius? Rakuten: Steering wheel cover free shipping ATC TO/018 Toyota Prius (BASIC MODEL) - Leather steering wheel covers smtb-TK;- Shopping Japanese products from Japan If so, please share your experience. It looks far more OEM than Wheelskins. Thanks.

 

I can't help thinking that, at $126+shipping, it might be less expensive (and better) to have a local auto upholstery shop wrap the wheel.

 

$126 (at current exchange rates) includes tax and domestic shipping or shipping to the U.S. Their instructions are in jpeg format and not amenable to google-translation. But dear wife says they are not that detailed/helpful anyway.

http://image.rakuten.co.jp/nichieigomu/cabinet/01939467/img57889967.jpg

You would need to remove and replace the wheel and the horn/airbag assembly. Although needle and thread are provided, apparently the stitching holes are not prepunched, and some trimming of the leather required.

Finally, their ad notes, "The working hours, depending on the person, approximately 2 to 3 hours." Not to be racist, but trust me, if Nihonjin hands take 2-3 hours, Gaijin hands will take significantly longer

Per danvee's lead, has anyone priced an upholstery shop wrapping it?

 

Thank you (and your wife) for the translation services. I definitely am not interested in removing the steering wheel. I thought it would be just that front plate. And no pre-punched holes? My fingers hurt just thinking about it! For the OEM look, I thought it would be worth the extra money. Seems like the overwhelming choice, albeit sub-optimal, is Wheelskins.

 

This looks pretty good to me:

Rakuten: New Price! PRIUS (ZVW30) black sports steering wheel / piano black eye

Kurogi just means black wood... but check out that spelling of medium gray... midiamu gure... no word ends in a consonant, hence midiam-u.

Then there's gure, pronounced goo-ray

 

^^ Woah I would seriously pick one of those up. Very very tempting. Do they have a bamboo color one? I don't understand japanese >_<

 

They are fabulous! Looks like I would still need to dismantle the whole steering wheel.

 

Rakuten: NISSAN ELGRAND (E51) fustic sport eye / eye Masaki- Shopping Japanese products from Japan

 

^^ Nice! haha Now to to figure out if I want to order this or keep saving for wheels. Tough decision haha

 

Does anyone know first hand if the green Wheelsking color goes well with Sea Glass Pearl?