WheelSkins steering wheel cover

[9.5isCanadian]

Well look see what the mail human left in my box today.

Put it on last night and took a few pictures of the process.

This one I call the "no way is that going to fit. Its too small." shot

But if you've ever spooned a motorcycle tire on a wheel, you know it will fit. I put the electrical tape on the top to keep it centered at 12 o'clock. Then another piece at 3 to hold that portion in place while I worked my fingers around the clock stretching it over the wheel.

Making sure the 'gap' is uniform around the circumference of the wheel by pinching it with my grubby fingers.

and the other side

Pay careful attention to the spoke areas to ensure that the stitches don't fall out of sync front to back and that they pull tight against the spoke.

Note how the stitch goes across front to back on top of the wheel while the needle goes across to the next hole inside the wrap (diagonally)

Finished wheel wrapped and ready for my sweaty mitts to soil its virginal surface.

Very happy with the quality and fit of the wrap. Sadly I'm waiting for my Tdi starter to arrive so I can test the wheel out.

as an aside, you can push start a Vanagon in a flat parking lot. Ask how I know.


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9 1/2 - missing a few pieces.

1987 Getaway Hightop
1980 Sunroof Vanagon
2018 BMW R Nine T
2012 Golf tdi

[SCM]

That's one of my favorite upgrades that I've made to my van. After 7 years it still looks and feels perfect.
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'91 Westfalia GL Automatic (GTA "Turbo" Rebuild w/Peloquin) and 2.3L GoWesty Engine

[OddN]

Here is where I ordered mine: https://www.ebay.com/itm/FITS-VW-TRANSPORTER-T25-C...3cc538fd28
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1991 VW Multivan syncro 1,9 TD

[calo1956]

Nice Job 9.5, looks sweet! Nice photo documentation!
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Enjoy the ride....
72 bug
80 westfalia

[otiswesty]

I installed one on my bus in 1992, still love it!

People asked me how I managed to get it to fit. The trick I found for an easy and nice tight fit is to soak the Wheelskins cover in hot water for 30-40 min and then mount and stich it on, It will dry even snugger to the steering wheel than otherwise possible.
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1978 Sage Green P22 Westfalia
1989 T3 Syncro Single cab

Just a regular guy

[dlb154]

Here is an alternative cover that worked well for a fraction of the cost. I used the soak for shrinking method to get a tight fit.

Bought on Amazon for $13.99 Prime shipped - Get the XL size
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B071F1C7X7/ref=od_aui_detailpages00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Original Install after soaking in water for an hour:

Texture of the leather:

Cover tightened up after a few days in the HOT weather we've had in Reno this week:

Back side:

[/img]

[E1]

I love our Wheelskins cover.

I had to do it twice, it seemed pulling the string really tightly to get the ends to snug up tightly would break the string, but it doesn't.

Crank 'er down!
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‘84 Westy, 2.1L with Digijet, 5.43 R+P, GT Gears
"Adding power makes you faster on the straights.
Subtracting weight makes you faster everywhere."
— Colin Chapman

[pinetreeporsche]

[quote="dlb154"]Here is an alternative cover that worked well for a fraction of the cost. I used the soak for shrinking method to get a tight fit.

Bought on Amazon for $13.99 Prime shipped - Get the XL size
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B071F1C7X7/ref=od_aui_detailpages00?ie=UTF8&psc=1 [quote]

dlb: I just ordered one, the XL as you recommended. Then remembered that there are two steering wheel sizes- I've got power steering, thus the smaller wheel. Iw that what you have or should I cancel and re-order a size or two smaller? -Thanks -pinetree

[dlb154]

Pinetree -

The XL is what you want for power steering. Measure your steering wheel diameter. It should be about 16.5". The circumference of the grip area is about 3.5"

The XL size is listed with slightly larger diameter (they say 17"-18") but using the soak/shrink method mine fits very nice. Circumference was perfect.

[calo1956]

Hey, whatever works, as long as you got it on!
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Enjoy the ride....
72 bug
80 westfalia

[Guybrush]

I've had one for years in my Volvo, but it has become relatively slick as it wore a bit, so the grip isn't that great. For the Vanagon, I used the Europerf version (all in black for me) and I really recommend that one.

I have actually broken the string while tightening, but that was when trying to put one on the Eurovan steering wheel that I had. The wheelskins doesn't fit well on that due to how wide the spokes are. I went back to a Vanagon steering wheel anyway. Wheelskins sent me a replacement immediately.

I've also cut myself at the crease of the fingers when putting this on, then remembered to wear a glove.

[DustyMiller]

I see what you did there. It's the Euro but you put it on up side down to fit the wheel spoke.
How do you like it two years later? Are the perforations full of hand grime?
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1987 Westfalia, Automatic Transaxle,2.1L
23,500km when she found her forever home.
"I'm not going to tell you these [cars] will increase in value, or even hold their current value. The truth is, you bought 'em because you like 'em. They have value to you. That's what matters."
Rick Sanchez, J19ζ7

[Thor-bob]

This is the single best thing you can do to your van.

You touch the wheel more than anything else. In the van. Of the van.

Support WheelSkins - they do custom stuff!

Thor-bob

[Glenn]

I installed a Wheelskin 10 years ago... still looks new.

It's a lot easier if you remove the steering wheel. That way you can move it around for the best access.

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Glenn
74 Beetle Specs | 74 Beetle Restoration | 2180cc Engine
"You may not get what you pay for, but you always pay for what you get"

Member #1009

#BlueSquare

[Zeitgeist 13]

Has anyone tried to add some thickening material on the wheel rim prior to installing the Wheelskins? I've used these before, and I have a stock Vanagon rim here with one, but I find the girth to be lacking. I'm used to a girthy heft in my hand and won't settle for less. The rim just feels kinda boney underneath and seems like it should have some padding. I can't remember if there's enough stretch in the leather to allow for some additional padding. Anyone?
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Casey--

'89 Bluestar ALH w/12mm Waldo pump, PP764 and GT2052
'01 Weekender --> full camper
y u rune klassik?

[IdahoDoug]

A material that may work quite well for padding would be bicycle handlebar tape. It's literally designed to wrap around a tubular control surface of about this diameter. It's designed to withstand years of hard use, weathering, and hand oils, so will hold up well under there. Keep in mind it will have a texture if wrapped certain ways so if you don't want that look at different materials as some of them have beveled edges to minimize that. Also, you'll have to get a substantially larger steering wheel wrap than that specified for your vehicle.
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1987 2WD Wolfsburg Vanagon Weekender "Mango", two fully locked 80 Series LandCruisers. 2017 Subaru Outback boxer. 1990 Audi 90 Quattro 20V with rear locking differential, 1990 burgundy parts Vanagon. 1984 Porsche 944, 1988 Toyota Supra 5 speed targa, 2002 BMW 325iX, 1982 Toyota Sunrader

[valvecovergasket]

[Zeitgeist 13]

It's definitely an improvement, but it still doesn't feel as nice as the factory leather wheel that originally came on my Bluestar, or the Mk1 Cabriolet wheel currently on there, or the Mk4 GLI version on my T4. I'd just like to have a little extra something to put on a standard T3 wheel. I wonder if you soaked the leather in hot water prior to install, it would be possible to add some extra padding underneath. My mind never stops trying to muck up progress.
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Casey--

'89 Bluestar ALH w/12mm Waldo pump, PP764 and GT2052
'01 Weekender --> full camper
y u rune klassik?

[uberaudi]

Wheelskins are great, I plan on getting another couple for my other vans.
On my old 91 20vt Avant, I sent the wheel off to Redline Goods to get it reskinned and also thickened. I believe I added a 1/16" foam to it, so an 1/8" increase in girth overall. Such a small amount made all the difference.
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'84 Adventurewagen 1Z Tdi, '89 Tintop ABA, and a 86 Syncro tintop WBX.

[valvecovergasket]