My wheelskins steering wheel

Only thing I don't like about the wheel skins leather steering wheel cover is the seam is under my hand when my hands are in the 10 to 2 position. In a way I would have preferred to install it up side down. I'm not changing mine now though. I also wonder if the cover would be easier to fit if the cover was a little damp to give it more stretchability?

 

Pat - then don't get the fancy expensive one! The only ones I use have one seam, and it goes at 6 o'clock where my hands never go. After you install about 10 of these, they really aren't that hard. The learning curve is steep. But then most people only put one on ever several years, so it is new each time.

 

Naw, it looks fine. I just hate when the leather bunches up. But, if you work your fingers to the bone it all smooths out!!!

At least it did on mine. I went with the sides in color, and Black top and bottom like you did!!!

Nice Job!!

 

Yeah, I just use a damp rag, with a little light soapy water. Cleans up nice!

I do find however, and maybe it's the hot SoCal summers, that they tend to disintigrate after about 5 years. Also if I leave the window down during a really foggy night, the leather seems to soak up that humidity, further causing the disintigration process to speed up!

Net result, a new skin about every 4 -5 years or so!!

 

I put one in my wifes Prius a couple of weeks ago. WoW! That's way too much like real work for me to want to do it again...

 

I already have the 2 tone and I like it. When it needs replacing I'll fit the 2 tone cover up side down. Or maybe I won't replace it, it should be the wife's problem by then.
Mine is 9 months old and is sparkling clean. I just wipe it with a cloth when I clean the dash. (not often enough.) I expect it to last over 10 years like my last leather cover did on my Crown. I did put a leather treatment on it when new though.

 

I love my wheelskins too!

 

YIKES.... How much would a factory leather steering wheel cost?

 

doesnt look very good to me

 

They don't photograph well. They look better in person. Some I've done I've had people think they're factory leather. They are sensitive to how well they are installed, and there is a learning curve.

 

I agree on both points. On any car I buy that does not have factory leather I install one of these, even if I have to order one custom (but you have to be very careful measuring). Mine has a slight gap at the seam, probably because I installed it in the cold and couldn't get enough stretch where the leather is doubled. The fraction of an inch of gap under about 2 stitches left of the seam drive me crazy, although there is absolutely no problem with functionality and you can't see it unless you are driving it. I'll eventually rip it out and replace it with a new one, likely a 2-tone (I've never tried a 2-tone).

 

In another forum I saw a pic of someone's who did this. It looks incredible. He requested an additional string and needle from the manufacturer and they sent him one free (not saying they will do this for everyone, but I thought it was a nice gesture). All you do is the same stitch using both threads and cross them, stitching with both at the same time. I imagine it would be a bit of a tangle, and I wouldn't recommend it for someone's first install. Hmmmm, maybe I will try this next time!

 

I once had a leather steering wheel cover that had invisible stitching, that was nice. I'm not sure if the wheelskin cover would lend itself to this. That was done with 2 threads and the threads were threaded along each segment between the holes not through the holes like the wheel skins are. I much prefered that design but the company seems to have folded.

 

They look great for 6 mo to a year, look OK for a few more years then kinda give out (my experience).