 |
924Board.org
Discussion Forum of 924.org
|
| View previous topic :: View next topic |
| Author |
Message |
CorsePerVita
Joined: 25 Jul 2008
Posts: 1992
Location: Redmond, Oregon
|
 Posted: Sat Mar 26, 2016 3:58 am Post subject: Steering wheel recover |
 |
|
My old wheel was looking pretty haggard. Sometime last year I bought some hide and started to recover it, but never finished the job.
Pulled out a nice cigar and some scotch and finished it up the other night. I'm happy with the results. Been a while since I've done leather work.
_________________
- 1977 Porsche 924 2.0 N/A (Trackday Project)
- 1979 Porsche 924 2.0 N/A (The other daily)
- 1980 Porsche 931 (Daily)
- 1987 Lamborghini Jalpa
- 1999 Ducati 900SS |
|
| Back to top |
|
 |
JjyKs
Joined: 05 Oct 2015
Posts: 114
Location: Finland
|
| Posted: Sat Mar 26, 2016 4:11 am Post subject: |
|
|
How hard would you rate that job for the first timer? My steering wheel is starting to wear a bit from the top, and ofc i could just take it to somewhere to be taken care of, but if I can do something by myself, I would like to try it.
Looks really good. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
CorsePerVita
Joined: 25 Jul 2008
Posts: 1992
Location: Redmond, Oregon
|
| Posted: Sat Mar 26, 2016 4:23 am Post subject: |
|
|
| JjyKs wrote: | How hard would you rate that job for the first timer? My steering wheel is starting to wear a bit from the top, and ofc i could just take it to somewhere to be taken care of, but if I can do something by myself, I would like to try it.
Looks really good. |
The first several times I did steering wheels I messed things up. Either things were too close together or the leather was cut funky. It took me probably 3 or 4 wheels before I really got the hang of things and got into a normal, "Ok this is how I'm going to do this." mode.
But I can offer a few tips for you:
- Use leather that is UV rated for the dye and dyed well. Otherwise you'll be pissed when it fades in the sun. Another thing to watch out for is whether or not the dye is just the outside of the leather, vs actually affecting the hide. It's a good sign that if it has been dyed to hold up longterm that the back side of the hide will probably show signs of being saturated, as well as the other side of the leather. If just the surface has been dyed, it'll show it later as it wears and gets sun damaged.
- You do not need a full hide. If you're new to this, go find a leather shop that sells hides. Ask if they sell scrap leather by the pound. Buy 1-2lbs of leather in the color and thickness you want. This way it'll be cheap, you can sort through the good leather they give you, and if you mess up, well, it would have gotten thrown away anyway.
- Do NOT use "leather thread" which is waxed and heavy. Use a heavy duty thread. I prefer multiple wound nylon that will stand up to pounds and pounds of stress. If you use cotton, it will eventually fall apart in the sun. Period.
- I prefer to use a straight, bladed leather needle. However, I've done enough of these that I have my own way of doing this without slicing the nylon. If you are new, punch your holes first, then use a normal needle to do it. I punch my holes with the needle as I go, and the bladed needles slice through it like butter. BUT, all it takes is one little touch on the nylon and PING, you cut it in half.
- Don't get crazy with stitching types till you're used to it. Even Porsche sticks to cross thread on most of their stuff. Which I actually prefer, and it's easiest to learn.
- Remember that leather will do a good job of stretching. So either make sure you punch the holes evenly, or, as you punch them with a bladed needle that you punch the holes further apart to make up for the stretching that will happen when you tighten it up.
- Glue the top of the wheel BEFORE you start stitching. I always line the outside of the wheel with hardcore glue. Let it try. THEN start stitching. Do not get the glue where you'll punch holes. Just the outside.
- If you want to do the center seam with a machine, make sure it can hold up to doing leather. I use an old gear driven singer, you can't probably break my machine. It's hardcore. Otherwise do it by hand.
_________________
- 1977 Porsche 924 2.0 N/A (Trackday Project)
- 1979 Porsche 924 2.0 N/A (The other daily)
- 1980 Porsche 931 (Daily)
- 1987 Lamborghini Jalpa
- 1999 Ducati 900SS |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Noahs944
Joined: 08 Dec 2015
Posts: 782
Location: Calgary, Alberta, Canada
|
| Posted: Sat Mar 26, 2016 5:01 am Post subject: |
|
|
Dude. Whai can I say? WOW  Very nice. I'd much rather have leather than my plastic-rubber one. So impressive! |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
CorsePerVita
Joined: 25 Jul 2008
Posts: 1992
Location: Redmond, Oregon
|
| Posted: Sat Mar 26, 2016 5:14 am Post subject: |
|
|
| Noahs944 wrote: | | Dude. Whai can I say? WOW Very nice. I'd much rather have leather than my plastic-rubber one. So impressive! |
Thanks man 
_________________
- 1977 Porsche 924 2.0 N/A (Trackday Project)
- 1979 Porsche 924 2.0 N/A (The other daily)
- 1980 Porsche 931 (Daily)
- 1987 Lamborghini Jalpa
- 1999 Ducati 900SS |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
|
|
You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum
You cannot vote in polls in this forum
|
Powered by phpBB © 2001, 2005 phpBB Group
|
FAQ
Search
Memberlist
Usergroups
Register
Profile
Log in to check your private messages
Log in
924 FAQ (Technical)
