HELP! any tips on installing a wheelskin that might make it a smoother installation?

I did not like the price of the wheelskin, or the stated effort of having to wrap one on, so i opted for a less expensive cover from amazon, (not leather). It was one of those "universal fit" covers by Cameleon made of silicone - stated to fit the Prius, and put out ever positive ions. It kind of fit,, but too loosely, and my wife did not like the way it felt so we returned it. Then we tried another "universal 14" " wheel cover, and it also fit too loosely but also stunk up the car, so it went back. The steering wheel on the prius is not even round, and is like 13.5" on the long side so 14" covers are just too loose. If you get a cover, probably the only one that would work well would be the leather Wheelskin that you have to wrap on ever so tediously. If you get one, let us know how it goes.

 

This is the best price I've found:

http://pages.ebay.com/motors/link/?nav=item.view&id=271002864049&alt=web

I just got one, and will be installing it this weekend on my Camry. I already have one on the Prius.

If you have the charcoal colored interior, I recommend getting black to match your airbag cover, rather than a charcoal color because the airbag cover is the closest thing to the Wheelskins.

SCH-I535

 

I found these at the Toyota dealer for $12.95 list.

Easy install too.

 

Did you buy one? Did it fit well? Did it STINK-up the car??

 

I'm going to install one this weekend. Trying a baseball stitch this time. I've installed many Wheelskins covers, but this will be the first time for the baseball stitch using two needles/threads.

SCH-I535

 

I bought 25 of them. They fit perfect. They have a cork/smoke smell, not too bad.

 

Installed the Wheelskin cover today using the baseball stitch:





Unfortunately, the cover was a bit too narrow, so it didn't wrap completely around the entire circumference of the wheel leaving a small gap between the edges of the cover. I didn't want to go through the hassle of sending the cover back and waiting for a custom size, so I went ahead and stitched it on.

I like the baseball stitch a lot vs. the regular stitch because it keeps the cover straight, vs. having the cover always being pulled at a slight angle, which can cause some bunching if you're not careful. also, the stitching seems to be more concealed and even, with the XXX patterns holding the cover on, as opposed to the /// pattern of the regular stitch.

 

Forgot to mention, I also used for the first time ever, velcro ties that I had laying around to hold the leather cover evenly on the steering wheel. This allowed me to take up the extra material that can cause bunching evenly as I stitched the cover on.



SCH-I535

 

Great photos, and REALLY nice job! Yet,, I did not know a 2004 Prius had a tachometer, & a spedo that goes to 160 mph, or a dash like that?

Our 2014 Prius has a very weird "out of round" steering wheel. I would love to see someone keep a wheel skin symmetrical and not bunched or wrinkled up, on a less than round steering wheel like that. Anyone out there actually put one on the newer Prius weird shaped steering wheel successfully?

 

I installed one on my Prius C with the flat bottom wheel, this weekend. Took me an hour and half to stitch it on, not difficult at all. Hardest part is get the cover onto the wheel, as it is tight, but once on, it fits great. No gaps, no smell, great leather. This is my 2nd one I have done. 1st one I did was 20 plus years ago. Glad to see a great company last through the years! I went with all black.

 

Do exactly as recommended in the instructions, and if you need help, give WheelSkins customer support a call. Ask for Irene, she's one of the best, and when I got my first WheelSkin cover, it was a bit in the tight side, so she recommended I send her the measurements of the wheel (exact circumference and size top & bottom) which I did, and she sent me a brand new cover of correct dimensions, this one in black (my original order was for charcoal gray, but someone here recommended the black would look better) and Irene sent me a couple of spare lacing threads in case I found someone with a need for my original gray one - all for no charge! (fantastic customer service!) I sent Irene a note saying that she should tell her boss she deserves a raise, and here's the reply I got from her boss:



Hi William,

I’m Irene’s boss and thanks for the kind words.

Irene is a gem and she always solves everyone’s customer service problems quickly and with humor and charm. So, I’m not surprised at your good experience.

By the way, she just got a raise. Thanks.




Jim Valley


President


Wheelskins, inc.

Here's my original e-mail to Irene:


Hi Irene,

Here's a picture of the installed WheelSkins cover which I received on Monday. As you can see, the fit is much better, and I must say that I'm delighted with it! It is so refreshing to find a company which values Customer Service as high as WheelSkins obviously does. Thanks again for all your help and valuable advice. Tell your boss/supervisor that I think you deserve a raise! Thanks again WheelSkins for a splendid product, and a timely solution to an awkward problem.

Sincerely,
William Henry Davis


...before (see the gaps?)



...and after! (tight as a duck's bum!)

PS: Make sure you keep it tight as you progress with the lacing! Tight is Right - you won't break the thread, it's waxed and very, very tough!

 

The Velcro is a neat idea! (I must remember that for next time! )

 

I sent an email to Wheelskins customer service about the 1/4 inch gap between the edges of my latest Wheelskins installation. I gave them measurements and they sent me a custom sized Wheelskin and two needle/threads via priority mail at no charge. Didn't have to return the original cover either. A+ customer service!

 

Doncha just ♥ Irene!

 

I agree that Wheelskins has excellent customer service. A few years ago, I also had a problem with the leather not fitting quite right and a replacement of the correct dimensions was immediately sent out at no charge and no requirement to return the original.

 

Measure the steering wheel, there are instructions on the Wheelskins.com website on how it's done.

Now measure the cover you received. You'll only be able to measure the width of the cover, not the diameter. You'll find the cover you received is too narrow.

If you don't have a flexible measure, use a length of string to go around the wheel, then measure that.

Ask for another cover that's exactly the width of your steering wheel, or at most, 1/8 inch wider than your wheel. You'll ideally want to stitch the cover on tightly and not too loose, or you might have problems with bunching or wrinkling.



SCH-I535

 

Make sure you pulled hard on the thread, they are very tight and at first don't seem like it will fit.