Suede steering wheel wrap
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 174
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From: Charleston SC
Suede steering wheel wrap
The leather on my steering wheel has become very slippery as its aged. Would like to cover it with a suede wrap similar to the leather wraps Eckler and MAM sells. It's a daily driver so would be a high-impact mod for me and removing the wheel to have it recovered isn't an option. I've been unable to locate anything in suede as a wrap from the common vendors on this site, so just wanted to ask if anyone knew of such a product and where it can be found.
Thanks in advance,
Chris
Thanks in advance,
Chris
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2006
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From: ZHills Florida
St. Jude Donor '08
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Joined: Sep 2001
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From: Lake Elsinore, CA
I have never been satisfied with diy wraps for wheel rims. I just had the wife's redone with extra padding added to thicken the rim up some. Came out great and the feel is so much better than the stock rim.
What I did to minimize downtime was to buy a used wheel here in the 4-sale section, sent that to Vette Essentials to be redone and swapped it out when it arrived. Takes about as long to r&r the wheel, or less, as applying a wrap. I've seen used wheels here for as little as 50 bucks and you can sell your original wheel after the swap.
Granted, it's a pricey mod at $325 but it's the part of the car you interact with more than almost any other part so I think it's worth it just like seats and shifters in manual cars.
I think the wheel in my C5 is next.
What I did to minimize downtime was to buy a used wheel here in the 4-sale section, sent that to Vette Essentials to be redone and swapped it out when it arrived. Takes about as long to r&r the wheel, or less, as applying a wrap. I've seen used wheels here for as little as 50 bucks and you can sell your original wheel after the swap.
Granted, it's a pricey mod at $325 but it's the part of the car you interact with more than almost any other part so I think it's worth it just like seats and shifters in manual cars.
I think the wheel in my C5 is next.
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Melting Slicks
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Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2001
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From: Lake Elsinore, CA
I hate that but I think it's happened to every car I've ever owned. The D-shaped wheels probably help in reducing the scuffs I would think but they'd need to be smaller rather than just a reshaped stocker to actually increase clearance at the bottom.
Oh, VE also offers a core charge version so you can send them your wheel after you install theirs. They credit you the core charge when they receive your wheel.
Oh, VE also offers a core charge version so you can send them your wheel after you install theirs. They credit you the core charge when they receive your wheel.
Last edited by Patches; Jul 5, 2010 at 08:23 PM.
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with Patches. That would be one way to get a very nice steering wheel with minimum down time.
!
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2009
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From: SW Nuh Hampsha
2018 C5 of Year Finalist
I haven't done any steering wheel mods yet, but I can only imagine that a suede/Alcantara type of material in the grip area would eventually turn slick with the oils/dirt/sweat from one's hands. Driving gloves, no problemo, if people still wear them that is.
When I do the upgrade to my wheel I'll go with perforated leather in the grip area and solid leather everywhere else.
When I do the upgrade to my wheel I'll go with perforated leather in the grip area and solid leather everywhere else.
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Drifting
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From: Redwood City CA
OK, I'll tell. I was stitching the leather cover on my car at around 10:30 PM on night... I was doing the "baseball" stitch, using a hook tool to pull the thread tight. Well, the hook slipped and with the force that I was using to pull the thread taught, it continued on straight up to my face!
I had the dam n hook stuck in my lower eyelid. I needed three or four stitches to close the gap in my eyelid(and a couple valium). I was damn lucky that I didn't lose my eye.
BTW, I went with wheelskins just to get the steering wheel to be a little "thicker". I'm happy with the result despite the trip to the emergency room
I had the dam n hook stuck in my lower eyelid. I needed three or four stitches to close the gap in my eyelid(and a couple valium). I was damn lucky that I didn't lose my eye.
BTW, I went with wheelskins just to get the steering wheel to be a little "thicker". I'm happy with the result despite the trip to the emergency room
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 2,997
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From: Ocean Springs MS
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 2,997
Likes: 36
From: Ocean Springs MS
OK, I'll tell. I was stitching the leather cover on my car at around 10:30 PM on night... I was doing the "baseball" stitch, using a hook tool to pull the thread tight. Well, the hook slipped and with the force that I was using to pull the thread taught, it continued on straight up to my face!
I had the dam n hook stuck in my lower eyelid. I needed three or four stitches to close the gap in my eyelid(and a couple valium). I was damn lucky that I didn't lose my eye.
BTW, I went with wheelskins just to get the steering wheel to be a little "thicker". I'm happy with the result despite the trip to the emergency room
I had the dam n hook stuck in my lower eyelid. I needed three or four stitches to close the gap in my eyelid(and a couple valium). I was damn lucky that I didn't lose my eye.
BTW, I went with wheelskins just to get the steering wheel to be a little "thicker". I'm happy with the result despite the trip to the emergency room
Team Owner
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From: Lake Elsinore, CA
Le Mans Master
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From: Toronto
Oh, only got 'flak' from me? 
So which one do you think will look better in your car, the 'boy scout project', or the one that looks better than oem...hmmm?
Congrats on your new mod!
So which one do you think will look better in your car, the 'boy scout project', or the one that looks better than oem...hmmm?
Congrats on your new mod!
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 1,592
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From: St Louis MO
On the cheap. I went to Advance Auto, bought the perforated black leather-like vinyl wheel cover for $11. There is nothing wrong with the steering wheel. I just wanted to slow the wear. I believe they come in two sizes. I got the smaller size. You''ll strain your milk slipping it on. It protects, adds beef to the wheel, doesn't slip and, I think, looks pretty decent. Been on for 3 years with no problems.
