Wheelskins install tips/pics?
Race Director
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 16,475
Likes: 270
From: Kingman AZ
Cruise-In VII Veteran
Cruise-In VIII
St. Jude Donor '06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16
Let it sit in the sun for a while to warm up. You might want to get a large curved needle from a leather shop such as Tandy's or maybe try a tack and saddle store. I'll bet they could supply the thread also.
On my 87 I had to use 3M glue so that it did not wrinkle and pooch up around the spokes.
On my 87 I had to use 3M glue so that it did not wrinkle and pooch up around the spokes.
Team Owner
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 45,085
Likes: 1
From: I was a young troubadour when I rode in on a song, and I'll be an old troubadour when I'm gone.
St. Jude Donor '08
Wear a pair of gloves. This is a must. 
Pull very tightly.
Borrow a curved needle from a local upholstry shop, or buy one at Wal-Mart.
A curved needle will work much better than a straight needle.
Pull very tightly.
Borrow a curved needle from a local upholstry shop, or buy one at Wal-Mart.
A curved needle will work much better than a straight needle.
Pro
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 674
Likes: 1
From: Daytona Beach Florida
Originally Posted by vancityguy
i got my wheelskin yesterday but im having a hell of a time getting the thing on right, i end up doing it wrong or having the lace break off the needle... any tips or install pics?
My suggestions are:
1. stitch it the way the instructions say
2. pull the string tight after every pass
3. give yourself a few hours to spare
4. make sure it is even as it is hard to tell
(even if it is only one hole off it will
make a noticeable difference)
5. start at the bottom/back, so when you
tie it off at the end the knot isn't in the way
GOOD LUCK...and come back with pics
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Race Director
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 13,348
Likes: 233
From: SCMR Rat Pack'r Charter Member..Great Bend KS
Originally Posted by Chance
Wear a pair of gloves.
Pull very tightly.
Borrow a curved needle from a local upholstry shop, or buy one at Wal-Mart.
Pull very tightly.
Borrow a curved needle from a local upholstry shop, or buy one at Wal-Mart.
One other thing I might add is to soak the cover in water for about five minutes before starting the process. This will make the leather much more pliable and easy to stretch...this means you don't have to pull quite as hard to stretch the leather.
Don't be surprised if the job take an hour or more....don't rush it and you'll be very proud at the conclusion.
Larry
code5coupe
Race Director
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 13,348
Likes: 233
From: SCMR Rat Pack'r Charter Member..Great Bend KS
Start at 6o'clock and use a "cross 2/ cross 1/step-kick/step-step-kick/spin/step-kick" pattern.
Oh...wait a minute, that's another thread...
Larry
code5coupe
Oh...wait a minute, that's another thread...
Larry
code5coupe
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 1999
Posts: 6,470
Likes: 2
From: levittown pa. usa Even a bad day with my `Vette, is better than a good day at work
St. Jude Donor '10
Originally Posted by Bubba91
It was tedious, took forever, had to restart a couple of times (more than a half-hour each time).
My suggestions are:
1. stitch it the way the instructions say
2. pull the string tight after every pass
3. give yourself a few hours to spare
4. make sure it is even as it is hard to tell
(even if it is only one hole off it will
make a noticeable difference)
5. start at the bottom/back, so when you
tie it off at the end the knot isn't in the way
GOOD LUCK...and come back with pics
My suggestions are:
1. stitch it the way the instructions say
2. pull the string tight after every pass
3. give yourself a few hours to spare
4. make sure it is even as it is hard to tell
(even if it is only one hole off it will
make a noticeable difference)
5. start at the bottom/back, so when you
tie it off at the end the knot isn't in the way
GOOD LUCK...and come back with pics
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 798
Likes: 116
From: OAKLEY CA
One other thing I might add is to soak the cover in water for about five minutes before starting the process. This will make the leather much more pliable and easy to stretch...this means you don't have to pull quite as hard to stretch the leather.
Don't be surprised if the job take an hour or more....don't rush it and you'll be very proud at the conclusion.
Larry
code5coupe[/QUOTE]
I've done a lot of covers over the years, and soaking the cover in warm soapy water makes it so much easier. It will dry overnight.
Also, use waxed thread, it should come with your cover or get it from Tandy Leather.
Do it in bright light, either sunlight or strong indoor lights. You can't see what you are doing with black thread and black leather in a dark garage.
Don't be surprised if the job take an hour or more....don't rush it and you'll be very proud at the conclusion.
Larry
code5coupe[/QUOTE]
I've done a lot of covers over the years, and soaking the cover in warm soapy water makes it so much easier. It will dry overnight.Also, use waxed thread, it should come with your cover or get it from Tandy Leather.
Do it in bright light, either sunlight or strong indoor lights. You can't see what you are doing with black thread and black leather in a dark garage.
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 24,987
Likes: 26
From: Kerrville, Texas USA Hook 'em Horns!
CentralTX Events Coordinator
St. Jude Donor '03-'04-'05-'06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16-'17
Originally Posted by steelblue shark
My wife did mine hehehe, she did a wonderful job.
Instructor
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 100
Likes: 0
From: Panama City Fl
Originally Posted by Bubba91
It was tedious, took forever, had to restart a couple of times (more than a half-hour each time).
My suggestions are:
1. stitch it the way the instructions say
2. pull the string tight after every pass
3. give yourself a few hours to spare
4. make sure it is even as it is hard to tell
(even if it is only one hole off it will
make a noticeable difference)
5. start at the bottom/back, so when you
tie it off at the end the knot isn't in the way
GOOD LUCK...and come back with pics
My suggestions are:
1. stitch it the way the instructions say
2. pull the string tight after every pass
3. give yourself a few hours to spare
4. make sure it is even as it is hard to tell
(even if it is only one hole off it will
make a noticeable difference)
5. start at the bottom/back, so when you
tie it off at the end the knot isn't in the way
GOOD LUCK...and come back with pics
Your car idles at 4000 RPM!?!?!?!
Pro
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 674
Likes: 1
From: Daytona Beach Florida
Originally Posted by bluepearl92
Your car idles at 4000 RPM!?!?!?!
Anyway, since we are there, my tach filter is shot and the only way I've heard to fix this on a 90-91 is to buy a full display from a 92-96 (tach,speedo,and water/oil gauges) and replace the center (speedo part) from yours to the new one.
I wish I could fix it without going to that extreme.
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 1,702
Likes: 254
From: Woodinville, WA
Im trying to figure out if I should even TRY installing one on my wheel.. Does anyone have pic of a 95 or 96 vette with a wheelskin installed?? The structure of the wheel is kinda strange with the two REALLY thick spokes.. I would imagine that the wheelskin would look kinda odd going around those..anyone have a pic?