WHEELSKINS steering wheel cover

[TurboLed]

Reopening this old thread to tell about my experience. I went for the cheapest route, that is order a cover from China on Ebay:
Brand New Black DIY Genuine Leather Steering Wheel Cover with Hole Size XL | eBay

This was the cheapest seller. I should have raised a flag when I saw that XL size was for a 14.5 wheel. When I got it, it was too long by a couple of inches (1st picture below).

In that case, I really got what I paid for: really bad and cheap quality. It doesn't look like leather, more like a rubberish piece of fabric glued on top of a white foam. It does feel good however.

The other issue with it was that it is actually 4 pieces of fabried glued together; so there are 4 seams, but they are not equidistant. Their length are: 14", 14", 7", 10". Didn't Chinese drive cars that have symetrical wheels, just like ours? I guess they don't care having the joints at different places around the wheel.

No matter what, I got a full refund because it was too long and because the joints are not equally spaced. So, I basically got it for free, why not try to install it anyways?

I started by cutting it and reduce the 10" joint to 7", so that it is at least symetrical. By doing so, I also cut the string that was sewn laterally on both sides that is supposed to help stitching. Why bother fixing that? I removed the whole strings and used the holes to stitch instead. Bad idea! It's much longer to do so...

Halfway after stitching the cover, I was already out of string! Did I use too much? The only thing I did wrong was use the holes instead of the pre-stitched strings... So with half the steering cover done, I had to drive to shop for some extra string. Didn't find the same type, so I found the kind that breaks. It broke at least 4 times in the process, each time I had to deal with new knots.

Then, after several, several, several hours (it was a pain in the ***) I finally finished it. The bottom part is where the cut is, and the pieces were touching and even squeezing together.
At last, it looks and feels good for something with mediocre quality. Not bad for a 8$ strap of whatever that is

Do I recommend it? NO. Will I do it again? NO. Go for Wheelskins.

[ryster]

I installed a Wheelskins cover on my previous car. Went on well, looked almost factory. It took a couple of hours to install. Durability was OK. The cover was susceptible to gouges and scratches from fingernails, rings, zippers from thick winter coats (if they brush against the wheel getting in or out of the car), etc. However, the Wheelskins covers can easily be replaced if they get beat up too bad or if you just want a different color or something.

[Joltt]

I just installed mine a couple weeks back, I got the two tone Red/black all perforated. I love it, I do not have the factory leather wrap, so this provides much better grip. The seams that stitch the two colours together are not that thick at all.
Took about an hour and a half. No gloves on, so my hands were tingly afterwards haha.

[crownr0yal]

That looks good!

[orrider]

Originally Posted by trucker

Don't mean to be smart, but what's the point? Do you think it looks better? Feels better?

I don't get it. Looks weird IMO. Sorry.

In my case I couldn't get an all leather wheel as the option package included a "wooden" one. It's just terrible as it has no grip. Dealer wants $1600 to replace it which is unreal. Service guy even suggested to get a wheelskin.
I have to commend "diinIndy" for such detailed experience description which should make my attempt much easier.

[Xion]

Not sure if I like those thing. especially around the spokes.

[Joltt]

Definitely beats the slip on ones you buy anywhere. Those will probably be comfortable if you have hands like a Sasquatch (large)

Well... my hands are small so I'm bias bahaha

[TurboLed]

The problem is the big spokes at 3 and 9 o'clock, you end up always a big hole at the bottom no matter how you try to tighten the stitches.

[Joltt]

Originally Posted by TurboLed

The problem is the big spokes at 3 and 9 o'clock, you end up always a big hole at the bottom no matter how you try to tighten the stitches.

Oh? I was able to get all my spokes pretty skin tight front and back (less tight in the front). No gap whatsoever, you just gotta make sure you thread further in by one or two rather than just applying the dummy stitch once you reach the spoke. This tightens the leather greatly and makes it snug. I had to redo 3 o'clock spoke though because it wasn't tight and had that gap like you mentioned.

[OkieRich]

If these covers are "leather," what if you soaked it in water for a little bit, then stitched it to the wheel while wet? As the leather dried, it would tighten up and fit tightly in the gaps. I'm not sure I'm making any sense. I think what I need is four consecutive days off.