Anyone Wrapped a Sport Wheel?

OK, I'm back at it and I got tired of standing so I built a new stitching rig so I can sit down and do it. I also mounted magnets toward the bottom to hold my needles away from each other and keep from crossing the threads. There are feet on the bottom to keep it from snagging the carpet or from scuff hardwood.

On the top, I figured I didn't need to screw the wheel down. It only needs to be stable. So, I have two screws that will hold it steady but allow quick repositioning without a screwdriver. I'm thinking of using an old cabinet spring-loaded latch at the bottom for better holding and easier moving. Or I could drill a hole and use a dowel. This version 2.0 for now.

Let the unstitching begin!

 

OK, I think we have the culprit identified. The glue didn't stick and the rolled over layer caught on the padding, which made the two pull against each other. Same thing happened in another location. This can be fixed. I'm going to reglue it and see how it holds when I give it a second go.

 

Well, the WheelSkin is restitched and it looks a lot better. First, it was pulled off and I corrected the unglued areas.

Second, I placed strips of foam in the inner ring gap where the inner flap had snagged and cupped up. I had done this with the cheap one but I wrongly assumed the double thickness of the WheelSkin wouldn't need it.

Then I reinstalled it upside down just for giggles because of the glued areas now being on the bottom. Finally, I was careful to make sure the inner flap was laying down as I was stitching. That seems to have made for a much better outcome.

And my wheel stand helped a lot. That made it go a lot quicker being able to quickly reposition the wheel and to get to the backside to do the backs of the spokes.

Thoughts? I'm not a snowflake so if it looks worse than before, I can handle it. I'll just sigh, go do some donuts, squall some tires and feel better. LOL

Pictures of front, back and some closeups.

 

I think it looks much better!

When you get time, can you post a side by side like you did with the two wheels the first time around?

 

Here's what a very close baseball stitch looks like on my buddy's Lexus.

 

Here's the wheel over a stock wheel.


First behind, reworked WheelSkin in front.

 

Nice work.

The Wheelskin cover looks much softer in the pics. Which one feels better?

Either one looks fine to me, just a little different grain or pattern.

 

The WheelSkin is thicker leather. Both feel pretty good. There is more grain to the WheelSkin. The other, thinner skin, pulls pretty smooth. They both have a nice grip feel.

Having one of each, I'm cheap and I think the cheap one is fine for a budget build. The WheelSkin is 3 times the cost and it works well and might be a bit more polished with the overlapped edge. I'm glad I tried one of each. I can't say I have a preference. Not much help, was I?

 

I’ve got a few 15” rally wheels that are sticky in a box in the attic. Maybe I’ll send them both to you and get one of each. I’ll keep the one I like and sell the other!

Let me know if/when you want more “busy” work!

And how much per wheel.

Thanks Greg.

 

Let me tell you a story about Lexus and stitching, Greg. I know you have one, and we've had 3 of them we bought new, presently a 2020 ES350. This is supposed to be true, it was from Lexus lit a few years ago. The dash, wheels, shifters maybe are hand stitched. Lexus claims before you can become one of their stitchers that you have to be able to stitch an item with your non-dominant hand in X amount of time with no mistakes and very good appearance before they will allow you to work on the line. I know they make the ES in KY, we toured the plant last Fall. I'll see if I can find the article from the Lexus newsletter. The restitch looks much better.
Whoopsy! Check that story, my mistake...Here's the story...
https://www.autonews.com/article/20120705/BLOG06/120709929/take-the-takumi-challenge

 

I think they both look great, Greg. I thought they were a little "big" for my liking, but I took a picture of mine to compare and they look about the same. So I think the pictures make them look a little larger. Mine is a wood Grant Wheel, machined to fit like a stock wheel and looks bigger in the pic as well. I have my sticky original. Are you going to try red stitching?

 

First, this is a longer reply without pictures. Before I get deluged with requests for wheels, let me get one done for another user. I want that person to give us their review so I don't get ahead of myself and other people aren't disappointed if it doesn't meet expectations. Just because I like it, other people may feel differently.

I'm unsure what to charge at this time. What would people think is fair? I'm not looking to get rich but my time is worth something. It looks like shipping per wheel is going to run about $20. Materials for the cheap wheel are under $20 and materials for the WheelSkin is going to run about $55 since I need additional thread as they only provide enough for the whip stitch.

I'm not the fastest guy doing this but I'm getting better. I can do one in about 2 hours.

So, if people send me a useable core wheel and I buy the materials and pay return shipping, I'm thinking $100-ish for the cheaper skin and $135-ish for the WheelSkin?

I've been trying to buy some core wheels but most people on FB want a nice price for a nice wheel or a high price for a rough wheel. What's a sticky wheel worth? I'm thinking $25 for the worst wheel with restorable stainless spokes and about $50 for a well-worn rubber wheel? I haven't bought or sold a wheel in years.

Yes, I doubt I'd pass the test. I'm not a production-minded person. My Lexus is a GS too! All my cars are GS models. LOL

Pictures can be hard to gauge. That's why I had one with my hand gripping it earlier in the thread and one with a stock wheel for comparison. They are not nearly as thick as my wife's Honda wheel or my Lexus wheel. Just enough to be nicely held in an adult hand.

I would be willing to give it a try. I think red thread would look good, especially for your application. I'll PM my address if you want to be my first guinea pig. We can discuss your expectations. Also, I wouldn't be offended if you wanted to mark your wheel in some way so I don't mix them up if I wind up with more than one at the same time.

 

I think your pricing is fair, and reasonable. I may try and do it myself since your threads are so detailed and easy to follow. The challenge of doing it yourself has a fulfilling feeling to it, especially the LED/headlight swaps.

 

I can be that guinea pig. I feel bad about my original just being garage art.

 

Absolutely part of the deal. I hope my efforts have revealed some of the truth about wrapping a wheel. If you have questions, feel free to ask. I like accomplishing something, owning that knowledge and being able to make something that is appreciated. I used to draw a lot but never considered myself an artist. This is as close as I might come. LOL

I can relate. I sent you a PM.

 

OK, I' have two types of red thread for the wheel I'm going to do for Oldskewl59. I'm going to do a bit of each on his wheel to see which looks best. They aren't as far apart as I thought when I ordered them.

Did I mention I'm mildly colorblind? LOL

 

Here is one you could use for a pattern!

 

If you want it wrapped, let me get a few more under my belt before I branch out of my comfort zone of Buick 3-spoke wheels. I'd certainly give it a try in the near future. That one probably wouldn't need padding. As I remember, they were pretty thick from the factory.

 

OK, a little red thread on a wheel. Right is the cross stitch. Left is the baseball stitch. It isn't pulled snug enough yet but it is enough to see the way it will turn out.

I'm still thinking the baseball stitch is going to pull in the direction of the stitch whereas the cross stitch pulls equally in both directions. But, if someone had to have it, I can do it.

Thoughts?

 

Out of curiosity I looked at the wheel of my 2020 Audi, and it has a baseball stitch. Personally I like the cross stitch better. The red thread looks good!