help with wheelskin installation.......
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 5,419
Likes: 0
From: Are you the bug or are you the windshield.....
help with wheelskin installation.......
I attempted to install my Wheelskin today and am very disappointed in the results. Hopefully it is just me that messed up, but I am looking for any suggestions to correct the problems that occured during the installation.
This is a picture I circled where it all bunched up where I started and ended the lacing process.
This pictures is a close up of the bunching at the end of the lacing process.
This is a picture taken through the windshield to show the gap that has occured on the back side of the spokes.
I am looking for any suggestions that I can use to make this look better. If I can't get it to go on right, then I plan on just going back to no steering wheel cover........
The measurements that I gave them when I ordered was 14 1/2 inches diameted of the wheel and 4 1/4 diameter for the grip......
This is a picture I circled where it all bunched up where I started and ended the lacing process.
This pictures is a close up of the bunching at the end of the lacing process.
This is a picture taken through the windshield to show the gap that has occured on the back side of the spokes.
I am looking for any suggestions that I can use to make this look better. If I can't get it to go on right, then I plan on just going back to no steering wheel cover........
The measurements that I gave them when I ordered was 14 1/2 inches diameted of the wheel and 4 1/4 diameter for the grip......
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 14,611
Likes: 3
From: Retired Suffolk County Police Dept NY South Carolina
Re: help with wheelskin installation....... (Husker Vette)
Looks too big to me
1 streach it so it is tighter then over lap the ends with the excess
try 2 and 3 with caution
2 try to shrink it in warm water
3 Try 1 and trim the extra lenght (use caution)
You really have to pull it tight as you go along
1 streach it so it is tighter then over lap the ends with the excess
try 2 and 3 with caution
2 try to shrink it in warm water
3 Try 1 and trim the extra lenght (use caution)
You really have to pull it tight as you go along
Pro
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 666
Likes: 0
From: Richmond TX
Re: help with wheelskin installation....... (Husker Vette)
I soaked mine in some warm water, then stretched it over the wheel...it was really tight, and after the lacing, it fir like a glove....if it wasn't two-toned, you wouldn't know it wasn't the original..... :cheers: :smash:
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 5,419
Likes: 0
From: Are you the bug or are you the windshield.....
Re: help with wheelskin installation....... (mk842766)
When I slipped it over the wheel, it went on really easy, it did not require any stretching to slip it on before the stitching....... Should I have had to stretch it to get it over the wheel??????
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 14,611
Likes: 3
From: Retired Suffolk County Police Dept NY South Carolina
Re: help with wheelskin installation....... (Husker Vette)
When I slipped it over the wheel, it went on really easy, it did not require any stretching to slip it on before the stitching....... Should I have had to stretch it to get it over the wheel??????
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 863
Likes: 0
From: Portsmouth,Va USA
Re: help with wheelskin installation....... (Husker Vette)
I put mine on and it looks great.. Your pictures seem to idicate to me you didn't get it tight enough..I pulled the thread very tight through each stitch. You might want to start over again.
Also try some KiWi leather shoe dye liquid on your horn ring and the rest of your steering wheel.. It will look like new..
Good luck
Also try some KiWi leather shoe dye liquid on your horn ring and the rest of your steering wheel.. It will look like new..
Good luck
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!
Brett Foote
Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know
Joe Kucinski
5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2
Michael S. Palmer
2027 Corvette vs The World: Every C8 vs Its Closest Competitor
Joe Kucinski
10 Most Common Corvette Problems of the Last 20 Years!
Joe Kucinski
5 MOST and 5 LEAST Popular Corvette Model Years in History!
Joe Kucinski
2027 Corvette Buyer's Guide: Everything You Need to Know!
Joe Kucinski
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 5,419
Likes: 0
From: Are you the bug or are you the windshield.....
Re: help with wheelskin installation....... (Husker Vette)
I have to agree with you all about the wheelskin being to large. I spoke with the distributor that I bought it from, and he said that he spoke with Wheelskins personally and they told him that they make a special cover designed strictly for an 86-89 Corvette that does not have any threading holes for the spokes (?????).
They are going to replace the one that I have with a new one that I should be happy with.
I will have to say that the company that I was working with has been quite helpful in getting this all resolved.
Thanks to everyone for your input..... Once again you were all on the right track.......
They are going to replace the one that I have with a new one that I should be happy with.
I will have to say that the company that I was working with has been quite helpful in getting this all resolved.
Thanks to everyone for your input..... Once again you were all on the right track.......
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 6,227
Likes: 0
From: Corona CA
Re: help with wheelskin installation....... (Husker Vette)
You do have the wrong Wheelskin. The correct one for that type of steering wheel does not have any lacing holes over the spokes. Once you get the correct one it will look great!
Racer
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 270
Likes: 1
From: Asheville, NC
Re: help with wheelskin installation....... (rcolling)
I just ordered a Wheelskin for my 87 from Ecklers... They swore that I was getting the right one. The one they sent me had the stitching holes in the spoke area. Is there a part # or any other info I should provide to get the correct one?
Racer
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 328
Likes: 0
From: Clearwater, FL
Re: help with wheelskin installation....... (Rick Williams)
I put mine on and it looks great.. Your pictures seem to idicate to me you didn't get it tight enough..I pulled the thread very tight through each stitch. You might want to start over again.
Also try some KiWi leather shoe dye liquid on your horn ring and the rest of your steering wheel.. It will look like new..
Good luck
Also try some KiWi leather shoe dye liquid on your horn ring and the rest of your steering wheel.. It will look like new..
Good luck
Here's what I mean....
That's what I mean about missing so many holes on each side...mine did that until I re-did it.....
[Modified by bwagner, 11:53 AM 7/22/2002]
[Modified by bwagner, 11:54 AM 7/22/2002]
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 26,196
Likes: 0
From: Orlando FL
St. Jude Donor '08-'09
Re: help with wheelskin installation....... (Husker Vette)
I have to agree with you all about the wheelskin being to large. I spoke with the distributor that I bought it from, and he said that he spoke with Wheelskins personally and they told him that they make a special cover designed strictly for an 86-89 Corvette that does not have any threading holes for the spokes (?????).
BTW: the eariler early C4s seem to have skinnier steering wheels. My stock wheel compared to my roomate's 84 is quite a difference. His is mutch thinner than mine is. That might be a problem also... check the thickness of your wheel with a newer early C4... like i know my 89 has the fatter wheel in it.
[Modified by GIJoe, 5:25 PM 7/22/2002]
Drifting
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 1,348
Likes: 25
From: STL Mo
Re: help with wheelskin installation....... (GIJoe)
My fit was really good I didnt stich the sides though where it goes over the arms of the steering wheel or whatever the hell there called, and i pulled it tight as hell. Good luck heres mine 
[Modified by AshleyRL-87Conv, 9:47 AM 7/23/2002]
[Modified by AshleyRL-87Conv, 9:47 AM 7/23/2002]
