Author Topic: Steering wheel renovation  (Read 421 times)

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Offline Bryan Boyle

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  • 1974 Europa JPS #142 3291R
    • Lotus Europa Collection
Steering wheel renovation
« on: Friday,October 27, 2023, 08:34:46 AM »
Just spitballing...anyone here in the states know of or have dealt with a firm who does steering wheel restoration?  Specifically, recovering...have an original TC and an S2 wheel...aluminum in good condition, as well as the hub...but could stand to be recovered.

Just for information, at this point...have other more pressing tasks to attend to...but thought I'd ask...
Bryan Boyle
Morrisville PA
Commercial Pilot/CFII/FAA Safety Team
Amateur Extra Class Operator & FCC Volunteer Examiner
Currently working on 3291R, ex 444R, 693R, 65/2163, 004R, 65/2678
http://www.lotuseuropa.us for mirror of lotus-europa.com manual site.

Offline kram350kram

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Re: Steering wheel renovation
« Reply #1 on: Friday,October 27, 2023, 09:10:42 AM »
I was in the same boat too, other things more pressing, however, I stitched on a new leather cover, did it over a week or so, boring like watching paint dry. Could never find a shop to do it so thought I would give it a go. Got the cover from Amazon. One thing I did learn was to pull the thread tightly and use a large clamp to keep the thread taut between sessions. Took four days on and off, about an hour each time. Tough part was getting around the spokes, but it looks just as good as the factory cover.

Offline BDA

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Re: Steering wheel renovation
« Reply #2 on: Friday,October 27, 2023, 11:39:29 AM »
Found this video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sStxk4mv_DY

There are lots of steering wheel restoration places. Most seem to do plastic wheels but some may do leather. Looking up “leather steering wheel restoration”, most of hits seem to want to show you how to do it so with the proper needle and materials, it may not be that hard.

Offline 4129R

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Re: Steering wheel renovation
« Reply #3 on: Friday,October 27, 2023, 01:19:14 PM »
I bought a leather kit from China on eBay and got a horse saddlery to do the stitching.

The result was cheap and impressive.

Offline Pfreen

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Re: Steering wheel renovation
« Reply #4 on: Friday,October 27, 2023, 01:49:04 PM »
I covered mine with a wheelskins leather cover.  I also use their gearshift leather cover.
The only thing is to carefully measure your wheel to order the correct size.  I think both look great.

Offline EuropaTC

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Re: Steering wheel renovation
« Reply #5 on: Saturday,October 28, 2023, 12:10:13 AM »
I also did mine with a cover from Ebay UK and as Pfreen says, the only difficulty is getting the correct diameter/length for the leather. It's not a deal breaker, you can cut to size yourself at the end join, but it's obviously easier to get it right first time.

This was my first effort after watching Youtube videos and initially I thought I'd re-do it to get a bit more tension in the leather but after driving it...  well, the date on the photo is 2015 and 8 yrs later it's still waiting for the remake !

Brian

Offline cazman

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Re: Steering wheel renovation
« Reply #6 on: Saturday,October 28, 2023, 03:27:39 AM »
Has anyone gone over the top of the old leather? I wouldn't mind if mine was a bit thicker.
1973 Europa TCS

Offline EuropaTC

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Re: Steering wheel renovation
« Reply #7 on: Saturday,October 28, 2023, 08:14:18 AM »
Yes, the Elan wheel above has the cover over the original leather.

Two reasons, firstly the original was worn but intact, so I like to keep as much originality as I can. Secondly, I also wanted it a touch thicker and the covering I used has a slight give which makes it easy to stretch but also gives a tactile feeling. I used double side tape to hold it in place while starting off, just in case it slipped on the original shiny leather at the top. Although that picture is 8yrs old, it's pretty much the same now.

Brian

Offline Pfreen

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Re: Steering wheel renovation
« Reply #8 on: Saturday,October 28, 2023, 01:41:32 PM »
Mine is over the old cover.