Leather wrapped steering wheel- Sewn or glued?

[autobonrun]

The stock leather wrapping on my 79SC steering wheel is coming loose in places. It has the perforations for it to be sewn but appears to have come from the factory glued on instead.

I'm curious if your leather came from the factory sewn and is it currently sewn, glued, or both. Should I take the time to sew it on or just glue it back down? I guess the thread could be uncomfortable but I would appreciate other thoughts before I perform the fix.

[ruf-porsche]

My was sewn.

[ronb]

sewn; you can take it to a shoemaker + save a lot of time over doing it yourself

[CarreraS2]

Mine was sewn, no glue. I think that's the way they were.

Someone may have glued yours down over the years. Lots of wacky things happen to our cars over the course of 25 years!

[Oldporsche]

clean out the old glue then use new 3M trim cement.

Use an upolstry thread and upolstry needles available at Wal-Mart. You can use a straight needle and a curved one. That way its easy to keep track of where you are.

The stitch is real easy to replicate. It crosses underneath and X's on the outside.

Good luck.
David Duffield

[autobonrun]

Thanks guys.

This is bizarre. There has only been one owner before me and I've owned it since 1984. I looked closely and can see the indentions where the thread was once on. Looks like the previous owner removed it for some reason.

Taking it to a shoemaker would be a good idea but I'd rather not take the steering wheel off. I did a quick count and there are nearly 150 small holes for the thread to go through. This is going to be a long exercise; Maybe one section a month.

David, I'm missing what you're saying about using two needles. I'm only accustomed to using one needle. What does the second do? I assume you use the curved needle to make the stitch?

[Bob's Flat-Six]

I removed the old thread just up to the posts were it was still good and tucked the loose end under the leather.
Then I used Instant Vinyl, A glue that said it would bond leather end to end. I just applied it under the leather and worked it a bit at a time while wrapping the wheel tight with new masking tape to keep the leather butted together.
That was a few years ago and it been fine, but it is a weekend car that doesn't see a lot of sun and the leather was in good shape.

[ronb]

taking the steering wheel off takes around 30 seconds; it really is not daunting. much less time than sewing it yourself.

[Dan Owens]

It's about a 3 to 4 hour job to replace the leather with new. Not bad but tedious.

[Schrup]

Your thread may have broke through the leather, you'll find out if you resew it. If you search the net for Alan Gunn Leather Accessories, they make a great kit. I installed on my wheel. It's the same as brand new & I don't have to worry about it for the next 20 years. Taking off the wheel is no big deal. Why keep scabbing it along? I would just fix it right & be done with it.

[mrhaydndownes]

Resurrecting an old thread, because I didn't find anything searching the forum today.

According to the installation instructions from Alan Gunn, you can use contact cement to glue the leather to the steering wheel.

However, in my experience I found that it was easier to use super glue, as is forms a bond almost immediately, vs 20 minutes of setup time.

Regarding the stitching, the instructions do say that you should use two needles (i.e. lacing up your shoes).

I didn't do mine this way because I mis-understood the instructions, but thinking about it afterward, it makes more sense because you get better leverage tightening up two threads instead of just the one.

Lastly, I've included a link to Alan Gunn that shows various stitching styles (it's on the "Loaner Wheel" page .

Alan Gun Leather Accessories

[porschenut]

I stitched my entire steering wheel using the exact pattern as original. I tried a couple of times before I got right. You cannot do it correctly without using two needles at once.

[autobonrun]

Wow what and old post. I had forgotten about it. I ended up using a combination of fabric spray glue and the sewing kit that came with the leather. I only used one needle. Basically I fit the leather on the wheel, sprayed glue inside on the leather sparingly and pressed it down as I went. Then I went back and sewed each hole. Seems there were about 240 holes if I recall. Fingers very sore when I was done. Don't glue the entire wheel skin, just glue as you go so it dries after the piece is sewn in place.

I added a little touch to the center just for looks. Here's another related link I posted.

Revamped my Steering Wheel

and here's the adhesive I used.
http://www.nationaltoolwarehouse.com/General-Trim-Adhesive-08088-181-oz-Net-Wt-P2506.aspx?gclid=CNOr2tXctr0CFRQS7Aod_kwArQ

[VMAX1]

Did my 87 carrera a few months ago, with a kit from Alan Gunn. It is a PITA! I couldn't sew a button on a shirt, and tackled it. Takes time, and beer. Look at this link, its the glue you need for leather and has a brush built into the cap. DAP 3 fl. oz. Weldwood Original Contact Cement-00107 at The Home Depot On an 87, the 2 center pieces are glued in, with some conecting stitching. Search youtube for xstitch. 2 needles long needles connected to 1 long thread, worked best for me. My kit came with 2 curved needles, perfect for stabbing your finger! Hobby Lobby for the needles, cheap. I used frog tape to hold down the glue points. Mine was glued in spots from factory, tore off old leather and sanded the wheel, to get all the glue, that washing wouldn't remove. Then wash it again. Take pics of the wheel before you tear off the old leather, then take a pic of your work and compare.

[jrsully]

expanding on this thread a bit. Does anyone make a decent DIY leather kit for early 71) bat wing steering wheels.? The original leather is shot and I want something original looking back on there. Wasn't there a recent thread about somebody restoring steering wheels.?

[88911coupe]

One thing that I'm confused about is how do you deal with the "seam" between the center section(s) and the large outer circular section? It seems like it would be hard to reproduce the perfect alignment from the factory.
Thanks

[VMAX1]

Line up the center section, so the holes line up with the steering wheel wrap. Have to use glue on the center sections. I used some glue on the steering wheel where it makes a turn into the spokes. I lined up the wheel wrap and started at the bottom center, and it all seem to line up as I sewed it around. Have to keep an eye on the seam and twist the wrap, as you sew it around. Far as hiding the seam where the center pieces join, you can see it. Factory seams had a wider gap than the one I sewed. If I could do it, anybody can! Jrsully, check here, Alan Gun Leather Accessories he makes leather kits for a lot of cars. Not just porsche.