New leather on steering wheel 911sc

[Jvdv23]

I want to put new leather on my 911 SC steering wheel. To do that I first will take the old leather from the steering wheel. My wheel has on the front (left and right side) a few dimples in the steering wheel from the use over the years. Please see the attached picture.

When I take off the leather the dimples will still be there in the rubber. Any ideas how to fix this and to make the wheel look like new?

Thx

[mepstein]

steam

[Tony911Z]

The dimples I see aren't from wear but are grip areas formed in the steering wheel it self.

[Jvdv23]

Originally Posted by Tony911Z

The dimples I see aren't from wear but are grip areas formed in the steering wheel it self.

I think so too. Any suggestion how I can get it to stock? Would steam do the trick?

[piscator]

I think you'll have to wait and see what kind of material is under the leather. Steam might work, but I suspect those dimples are cuts in the material underneath. If you want to eliminate the dimples, I envision that you'll need to fill those areas with something.

Are those 'dimple areas' hard or soft? I work in fiberglass, so if they're hard I'd fill them with a thick mixture of epoxy resin mixed with cut strands of 'glass and adhesive faring filler. A faring filler will be easy to sand to the final shape. The cut strands may not be necessary, but I'd probably mix a little in for extra rigidity.

If what's under there is soft (foam, maybe?) you might be able to cut, glue, shape, a similar material in those areas. Could be tricky, but probably do-able.

I just re-read that you wrote those areas are 'rubber' -- my guess is that the wheel is not solid rubber but a solid material with a rubber sheath over it. If that's the case, the epoxy filler will work. Whether it's metal or plastic, the epoxy will adhere to whatever material the wheel is made of. You'll have to cut the rubber sheath in the dimple area, fill those areas with the epoxy filler, sand the filler down to a dimension where you can glue rubber patches up to the same thickness of original rubber.

To make rubber patches to put over the filled dimple area, I'd use thin patches of a compatible rubber and glue them up one at a time, essentially creating a rubber lamination. Gluing several thin patches should insure that the rubber follows the round contour of the wheel and glues successfully. The 'memory' in a single thicker piece of rubber, might make it difficult to glue.

Of course, all of this depends on what's actually under that leather! Interesting project!

BTW: The application of epoxy/glass and sanding those 'dimples' would be about an hour's work in my shop (not including curing time). If you're unfamiliar or not comfortable with this part of the process, any local boat building or fiberglass repair shop would probably be happy to do this for you.

Lastly, having written all that you might be just as successful filling those areas with 'Bondo' -- but you can see where my head is at!

[Jvdv23]

I removed the leather and the dimples are unfortunatly in the wheel itself. The wheel is some type of rubber. First i will try steam if this does not work I will try to fill it up.

[piscator]

Have you considered just leaving it and recovering? I wouldn't find those 'dimples' objectionable.

As I mentioned, I doubt that the wheel is rubber all the way through. I'd use a 1/16" (or smaller) drill to see what's under the rubber covering and how deep it is. Rubber, vinyl, soft plastics (like modern impact bumpers) are tough to fill, although there are speciality fillers you can get from autobody supply houses that sell to the trade.

If you really want to fill those, your best best is to get down to what ever's under the rubber.

I've spent untold hours fabricating stuff that certainly wasn't worth the time and effort; simply because I enjoyed the challenge. To me, what you want with this wheel, doesn't make a lot of sense, particularly economically -- unless you just want to do it for the challenge.

It would be a whole lot simpler and economically sensible to leave the dimples or replace the wheel.

[RWebb]

those 'dimples' are to provide a better grip for your fingers

if bothersome, it will be a LOT easier to fit a different wheel

if you have a lathe you could carve them off too

[76FJ55]

Is this the front or back of the wheel? Typically the finger grooves are on the forward (dash) side of the steering wheel and not visible from the drivers seat, however looking at the picture showing the horn pad attachments it looks like these are on the rear (facing the driver) side of the wheel. Seems odd to me.

[Jvdv23]

Originally Posted by RWebb

those 'dimples' are to provide a better grip for your fingers

if bothersome, it will be a LOT easier to fit a different wheel

if you have a lathe you could carve them off too

For the “dimpels” on the back of the wheel I understand they are for grip. The picture is of the front of the wheel (facing the driver). These should not be there imo

[LIRS6]

Originally Posted by Jvdv23

For the “dimpels” on the back of the wheel I understand they are for grip. The picture is of the front of the wheel (facing the driver). These should not be there imo

^^^^ ^^^^

I recently re-covered my wheel ... dimples are on the dash side of the steering wheel - your car's wheel looks like it was last owned by The Hulk.





Jason

[Fleming]

Looking at the spacing of the impressions it looks like they were intentional. Are they only on that area of the steering wheel?

My guess would be it was a steering lock bar and left in the sun.

If your looking for a small quantity of medium density rubber that has a curve memory from which to cut a oval and beveled patch could be a 1" diameter hose like a radiator hose. Then glue it into place.

Hope that helps.

[911 Rod]

Just when you've thought you've seen everything ....
I would think you won't see them much once the leather is pulled over.
I used hockey tape to build up my wheel on my truck so the cover was tight.

[RWebb]

I bet the rim is installed bass-ackwards on the hub

[Jvdv23]

I put some rubber filling glue on the wheel and stitched the new leather on the wheel. This is the result.

[LIRS6]

Nicely done.

Jason

[boyt911sc]

Jvdv23/LIRS6,

Where do you guys get your leather steering wheel covers? Both of your works were amazing and inspirational. Thanks for sharing.

Tony

[Jvdv23]

Originally Posted by boyt911sc

Jvdv23/LIRS6,

Where do you guys get your leather steering wheel covers? Both of your works were amazing and inspirational. Thanks for sharing.

Tony

I bought mine in Belgium:

http://www.lakewell.com/

[LIRS6]

Originally Posted by boyt911sc

Jvdv23/LIRS6,

Where do you guys get your leather steering wheel covers? Both of your works were amazing and inspirational. Thanks for sharing.

Tony

A seller in Florida but I don't recall the name, sorry.

If I can find it I'll list it.

Think I found it : https://www.custom-steering-wheels.com/porsche--911-997-steering-wheel-kits--

Custom steering wheels, in Plantation Fl

Jason

[RWebb]

where is that thread about the guy who cut a woman's boots for this?