Wheelskins steering wheel review

[Bob98SR5]

Hi all,

When I bought my truck (2 previous owners), the top of the steering wheel was showing wear. About last year, pieces of the leather started to turn upwards and it became almost irresistible to start picking at it---which I did. It was like biting fingernails!

So I bought a steering wheel cover from Amazon. Pilot was the brand. Got great reviews. The problem was it was really thick and didn't feel right. So I ended up giving it to Kafene.

Fast fwd to last week, I received the Wheelskins steering wheel recovering kit. It came with the cover and a thick needle with waxed thread. The thread is pretty tough.

Installation was relatively straight forward. You can only thread and tighten one hole at a time. It's best to hold and tug the previously tightened threaded string, thread through the new one, etc. This is to keep the thread from slipping backward. I discovered this about 1/4th of the way through. The hardest part is how to thread around the spokes. Takes practice. Take your time if you're really anal about how it will look. It's tedious for sure. Took me a good hour from start to finish. Oh one thing I would do over: if pieces of leather are peeling off, I would try to glue it down flat and then sand the high edges down. If you have access to leather filler of some kind, fill it and sand it down. This is the only reason why I'd do this stitching all over again.

How does it look? Well of course it is a wrap, so it is not flush fit around the spokes. However, it looks really good around the steering wheel part. The leather feels so awesome. I'm actually enjoying driving the 4Runner more because of it. Sounds stupid, but the steering wheel always bothered me.

There's one little section towards the end where I had a bitch of a time tightening it up. However, it's not bothering me at all. 90% of the stitching is good. I may redo it again. I called the company and they sent a new needle and thread at no cost to me.

Before:

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7456/8887611225_455427b44d.jpg

After:

http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2827/8887627797_9894e0859b_z.jpg

All 9 pics are here:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/sizzlerscheesetoast/sets/72157633803268381/



Verdict: to replace the leather steering wheel leather is really expensive. There's some dude in Texas a lot of internet car guys say is really good, but it costs hundreds of dollars, you're without a wheel, and assed out if you only have 1 car. The slip over ones I mentioned are really thick. I believe this <$60 is the best option in terms of comfort and looks. Just takes about 1 hr to install and you're golden

[Seanz0rz]

Looks great! This is on my list of stuff to do, although I am trying to find a light tan color to reduce the steering wheel temp in the summer time.

I apparently have a strange steering wheel. I will get pictures of it later, but basically I have a wheel skin currently but there is not a normal steering wheel underneath.

[4x4mike]

I apparently have a strange steering wheel. I will get pictures of it later, but basically I have a wheel skin currently but there is not a normal steering wheel underneath.

Que?

The wrap looks really good Bob. My 4Runner also had two previous owners and somewhere along the line the leather took a hit. It's still in OK shape but with as much driving as I seem to do I don't know how long it will last. This looks like a nice option. Thanks for the review.

[Seanz0rz]

So this is what my steering wheel looks like:
http://i955.photobucket.com/albums/ae38/hamiltonfabrication/IMAG0353_zps12e607c1.jpg (http://s955.photobucket.com/user/hamiltonfabrication/media/IMAG0353_zps12e607c1.jpg.html)

Looks like it already has a wheel skin on it. 2/3 of the steering wheel is fine, but the bottom and left side are falling apart. a few years ago, the leather ripped out and it destitched itself. I had to cut the thread to not get my hand caught in it. I figured underneath would be a worn wheel like you have Bob, but instead I found this:
http://i955.photobucket.com/albums/ae38/hamiltonfabrication/IMAG0355_zps7e6e72cd.jpg (http://s955.photobucket.com/user/hamiltonfabrication/media/IMAG0355_zps7e6e72cd.jpg.html)

It looks like someone trimmed off the leather wrapping, except for the spokes, and applied a wheel skin over it. I have NO idea why... silly PO.

So I am in the market for a new wheel skin, preferably tan.

[Good Times]

Bob that looks great! I think once my steering wheel starts to look like crap I'm gonna have to do this mod!

[Bob98SR5]

Bob that looks great! I think once my steering wheel starts to look like crap I'm gonna have to do this mod!

guys,

id have to say that if your leather is starting to crack (or worse like mine w/ holes), recover it asap. the reason is like I mentioned above: it'll feel smoother underneath when you put the new leather on. there's a noticeable bump where I didn't smooth the defraying leather and it does sorta bother me. I know I can make that area flat again with some glue, some leather filler and a sanding pad. I would definitely take a 220 grit or finer sanding pad next time to the leather to smooth out any raised surfaces. then I can redo the stitching at the bottom too. but for now, i got other things to do.

[Bob98SR5]

So this is what my steering wheel looks like:
http://i955.photobucket.com/albums/ae38/hamiltonfabrication/IMAG0353_zps12e607c1.jpg (http://s955.photobucket.com/user/hamiltonfabrication/media/IMAG0353_zps12e607c1.jpg.html)

Looks like it already has a wheel skin on it. 2/3 of the steering wheel is fine, but the bottom and left side are falling apart. a few years ago, the leather ripped out and it destitched itself. I had to cut the thread to not get my hand caught in it. I figured underneath would be a worn wheel like you have Bob, but instead I found this:
http://i955.photobucket.com/albums/ae38/hamiltonfabrication/IMAG0355_zps7e6e72cd.jpg (http://s955.photobucket.com/user/hamiltonfabrication/media/IMAG0355_zps7e6e72cd.jpg.html)

It looks like someone trimmed off the leather wrapping, except for the spokes, and applied a wheel skin over it. I have NO idea why... silly PO.

So I am in the market for a new wheel skin, preferably tan.

sean,

i cant see the pics from work, but i can guess that the PO didn't like how the wheelskin over the spokes part didn't look flush. I actually considered cutting off the leather too, but it would leave a noticeable cut line on the spoke part. that would look worse.

they do sell tan. go to their website, they have all kind of color options too, even dual colored ones.

[Seanz0rz]

It still has the raised part over the spokes. Just the top layer of leather is missing, but it is well past where the wheelskin sat.

[Bob98SR5]

It still has the raised part over the spokes. Just the top layer of leather is missing, but it is well past where the wheelskin sat.

Yeah the original leather just covers a pad that's over the inner part of the metal core. I considered removing the leather (unstitching), but thought better of it.

[CJM]

my wheel has been slowly wearing out where I grip it at the top. What I think Im gonna do is sand it down and fill it with leather crack filler.

I found this site that sells what I think would work best for our wheels. Its a soft feel type filler http://www.viperproducts.com/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=2&zenid=0eba37570ec82f7ca9958ca0a725b4cc

[paddlenbike]

Bob, that looks great. Definitely the nicest looking aftermarket leather skin I've seen.

Good seeing you the week before last!!

[CJM]

Incase anyone wants to try the fill/repair/paint method. I think it looks awesome!
http://www.clublexus.com/forums/sc-400-300/675641-sem-paint-color-match.html

[Bob98SR5]

Incase anyone wants to try the fill/repair/paint method. I think it looks awesome!
http://www.clublexus.com/forums/sc-400-300/675641-sem-paint-color-match.html

I have some experience here with vinyl dyeing with aerosol paint. In fact, I used SEM vinyl dye spray can products to change my BMW interior from blue to black. SEM is a tad bit pricier, but people online had great results and so I followed the herd. Here's some pics of the rear seats and side panels:

Before:
http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5148/5823356905_d3ce94abce.jpg

After:
http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2638/5823806150_e829e97d41.jpg

http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2741/5823242841_dae1d9591d.jpg

Even the arm rests turned out great:
http://farm7.staticflickr.com/6078/6119138780_fecff365e8.jpg

So the problem with that writeup is that vinyl paint will not stick on leather very long. I have read that fact time and time again. I was going to go that route (vinyl spray paint) to apply to my aftermarket craigslist leather seats, but in the end, I read too many experiences of vinyl coming off leather. So I bought a Leatherique kit, but even that didn't prove to be good either (I know I couldve done better prep work).

In anycase, do NOT put vinyl dye on leather :)

[CJM]

Check this out bob.. http://www.clublexus.com/forums/sc-400-300/675641-sem-paint-color-match.html

as well as this http://www.78ta.com/HTAF/index.php?topic=28336.0

Seems it holds up well if you do the proper prep work. I read the key is to make sure the leather is CLEAN and to clean it with something like brakecleen or lacquer thinner. Apparently it opens up the pores of the leather and allows better penetration.

[Bob98SR5]

CJM,

Definitely agree that prep work is key. I'm sure it works, but my recommendation is to use leather dye for leather and vinyl dye for vinyl. From what I read, its the adhesion spray that opens up the pores of the leather not the cleaning agent. I personally would never use brake cleaner to clean leather. I would use something more mild or something formulated for leather. I would use a flexible adhesion primer too since leather is pliable.

Leatherique has really good info about leathercare, cleaning, and prep for redyeing. There are some other site too on the interweb that cover the topic.

[CJM]

Bob,

Read more than a few disappointed reviews about leathrique but very few negative on SEM. They sell a leather/vinyl adhesion promoter as well. Reason you want to clean the leather with something so harsh is apparently its silicone impregnated and thus this is why most of the products fail.

Im willing to give it a shot, I dont see how my wheel could be any worse really. Right now its flaking off at the 11-1 o'clock position and its very worn there. Hey worst case I waste 20 bucks and my time, then I can slap a wheel cover over it.

ETA: SEM also makes a leather specific product-but guess what not in the tan color for my interior. I wish I had black sometimes..woulda be so much easier.

[Bob98SR5]

Bob,

Read more than a few disappointed reviews about leathrique but very few negative on SEM. They sell a leather/vinyl adhesion promoter as well. Reason you want to clean the leather with something so harsh is apparently its silicone impregnated and thus this is why most of the products fail.

Im willing to give it a shot, I dont see how my wheel could be any worse really. Right now its flaking off at the 11-1 o'clock position and its very worn there. Hey worst case I waste 20 bucks and my time, then I can slap a wheel cover over it.

ETA: SEM also makes a leather specific product-but guess what not in the tan color for my interior. I wish I had black sometimes..woulda be so much easier.

CJM:

Good discussion. Personally, I think the sanding is what the most effective part is in terms of the prep work and will give whatever you apply to it the needed chemical free surface that the product will have the greatest chance of success bonding to.

[CJM]

Im willing to give it a shot lol. Worst that happens is I dont like it and do a wheel skins.

I went today to try and get the paint but they didnt have any at the distributor near me. Gonna hafta order it.

[CJM]

Yep been over a year and I need to do this BAD. I have a 2" long x 1/2" wide hole at the 12 o'clock position. Id just remove the leather but wtf its black underneath. Makes no sense since the rest of the entire interior is oak. Guess they cheaped out. Wonder what you woulda got if you got the base model and an oak interior..black wheel?

Bob, any idea if you can get the pics working again I can see how it looks a bit better?

[Bob98SR5]

Yep been over a year and I need to do this BAD. I have a 2" long x 1/2" wide hole at the 12 o'clock position. Id just remove the leather but wtf its black underneath. Makes no sense since the rest of the entire interior is oak. Guess they cheaped out. Wonder what you woulda got if you got the base model and an oak interior..black wheel?

Bob, any idea if you can get the pics working again I can see how it looks a bit better?

I'll post up soon

[Bob98SR5]

another one

[Bob98SR5]

Mmooooaaar

[Kryptoroxx]

Hey looks good! I like mine naked but that looks great for a replacement.

[CJM]

Looks quite nice. I only wish it covered the spokes like the factory stuff.

Thanks for posting the pics again.

[Bob98SR5]

Looks quite nice. I only wish it covered the spokes like the factory stuff.

Thanks for posting the pics again.

Yeah, but really it doesn't look bad. I thought about trimming the thick part of the spokes off but I recall finding an image (I can't find now) where someone did it and it looked like shit. Just tighten the strings tight around the spokes and over a few weeks, the leather will sorta mold/meld on the spokes. It won't be perfect, but trust me, your hands will really appreciate the wheel cover. I used to hate driving the 4runner so much b/c of that hole at 12. Take my advice and fill the hole before applying the cover

[CJM]

What should I fill the hole with? Epoxy? Or one of them expensive leather fillers?

[Bob98SR5]

What should I fill the hole with? Epoxy? Or one of them expensive leather fillers?

Im not sure since i haven't done the research, but like i mentioned, i would cut away as much of the old leather as possible and then glue down the leather. apply whatever leather filler, let dry, and sand down.

[CJM]

Might be easier just to use jb weld. its a spot at 12 o'clock thats 1/4" wide x 2" long.

I requested some swatches so hoping the oak color matches pretty good. I think my downfall was cleaning the wheel a few times with simple green cause it was all nasty. I think it dried out the leather too much and that was it.