Step by step instructions on how to install a steering wheel cover

Website design By BotEap.comLearn the proper steps to install a leather steering wheel cover to protect your vehicle’s steering wheel.

Website design By BotEap.comLeather steering wheel covers not only help protect your steering wheel from daily wear and tear or sun damage, but also greatly enhance the driving experience by providing excellent grip for better handling.

Website design By BotEap.comHere you will gain the knowledge to perform a baseball stitch installation on any newly purchased or homemade leather steering wheel cover.

Website design By BotEap.comThe regular instructions that usually come with a store-bought leather wrap show a typical loop stitch. If it’s the factory look you’re after, you’ll need to know how to use a baseball stitch.

Website design By BotEap.com1) To start, take your leather steering wheel wrap and spread it over the entire steering wheel. Make sure the temperature in your vehicle is not too hot or cold, as leather easily stretches in hot weather and becomes less elastic in cold weather. Place the cover over the bottom of the steering wheel and spread it over the sides. Don’t forget to use your fingers to stretch it over the top of the wheel. At this point you need to be a little careful not to pull too hard on the seam as you can easily rip it. Double check it to see if it is carefully aligned so that the seam is where it is supposed to be. It is usually located above the old location at sea, but you may want it to be a bit more to the front or back. Consistency is important here, as a seam that meanders inside the edge can make installation difficult. A quick tip is to turn slowly as you sew so that you can pull evenly from both the front and back.

Website design By BotEap.com2) Now you can start sewing the leather steering wheel wrap. You will need 2 needles for this. Start by passing one end through each seam joint in the middle, located at the bottom of the ruffle. Tie the 2 threads together and then have 1 thread coming out of each seam. Allow about 7 inches of thread to pass through and tie 2-3 knots to join the ends. After that, you can thread the threads so that the knot is in the seam.

Website design By BotEap.com3) Carefully trim the excess thread to about a quarter inch, but make sure it’s not too close. Be sure to use holes that are directly opposite each other. To start your stitches, be sure to cross the threads over and under the seam, as well as back up the opposite side. One important thing to note is that you will need to consistently cross the threads the same way each time.

Website design By BotEap.com4) Do not start sewing into the seam as this will make it very difficult to pull on. Similar to a loop stitch, you need to pull each stitch tight before proceeding to the next. As you try to tighten each individual stitch, you will notice that the wax in the thread helps keep the previous stitches tight. The correct way to pull is firmly and slowly rather than quick and jerky movements. Also, pull straight to the sides and not forward, as you may accidentally overstretch the cover if pulled incorrectly.

Website design By BotEap.com5) Slowly and methodically should be your method when trying to install a steering wheel cover for the first time. Managing the thread is the most challenging step, but doing it slowly and surely will get you up to an easier pace. Prepare for 2-3 hours to successfully make the baseball stitch on the leather steering wheel cover. You’ll notice that when you get to a radius, the baseball stitch has distinct advantages over the loop stitch method. First, you will have a thread on each side of the spoke which will allow you to wrap the thread on both sides. Second, you’ll be able to pull the seam tighter and closer to the spokes than with a loop stitch.

Website design By BotEap.com6) You have now reached your first spoke on the steering wheel. To cross the spokes of the wheel, use a loop stitch by wrapping the yarn around and into the next hole on both sides of the spoke of the wheel. Pull each and every point as hard as possible with a firm, steady pull. Don’t worry about breaking the waxed floss as it was designed to take a lot of abuse. After you get to the other side of the spoke of the wheel, pick up the next pair of holes that you can close almost completely and continue.

Website design By BotEap.com7) If the leather wheel cover is the correct size, it will not stretch too much if you continue to sew. There will be some bunching, but this is normal in the installation process. After reaching the bottom again, take the last few stitches and tie them over and over under the original knot while pulling the threads through the seam. You will then need to make several knots, and then cut off the excess seam. Be sure to leave at least a half inch of slack and tuck the knot into the seam.

Website design By BotEap.com8) Take a flat head screwdriver and push the knots and thread ends directly into the seam. Do this carefully and gently, as you may accidentally cut the thread if the screwdriver is too sharp. The main reason you need to leave some extra rope at the end after tying the knots is so that the knots can loosen a bit if necessary. Leaving a bit of thread will prevent them from coming apart completely.

Website design By BotEap.comNow you have successfully learned all the steps on how to install a steering wheel cover. Don’t worry if his first attempt at installing a leather steering wheel wrap didn’t turn out as perfect as he planned, as he can always start over by going back to where he has a good stitching. The most important factor here is to keep the seam straight as he continues to sew. If you come across a knot, don’t try to pull it out, but use the needle to undo the knot. Leather steering wheel covers are a great investment and will enhance the look of your steering wheel as well as provide better grip and handling.

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