little retrim project - M steering wheel

[NZ_M3]

So about a year ago I bought a pretty beat up M steering wheel for bugger all money - intending on taking it apart to understand how it is stitched together. The idea behind it was so I could retrim the Alcantara steering wheel myself whenever I need to (despite the fact that I actually have three of these) ...


I am pretty handy with a sewing machine and needle and I figured this wouldn't be too hard to learn and do.

I purchased the correct CSL Alcantara material (a full yard of it) about four years ago ... have only just decided now to give this a try


Taking it apart:


Understanding how it is stitched together:


Peeling it back ... half way there:



The CSL Alcantara material in the background:



"Face off" - Will be used for pattern making


"Naked steering wheel"



More to come when I find the correct M stitching colour thread and when I've had time to cut out the pattern and saw it together.


Leather separated into individual pieces, ready for steam ironing to soften leather and pattern tracing:

(you must iron the leather in between a top and bottom cotton layers - otherwise the leather will simply stick to the iron!!)

Before steam iroing:


After steam ironing, ready for pattern tracing:

[cantfind1]

Fuck me mate...that is dedication!!

[s.mac]

Bloody Hell +1 to the dedication

[Mark CSL]

Great Post Tom

We want more

[s.mac]

Have 4 of us already got some of that sheet of Alcantara in our cars ??

[NZ_M3]

Originally Posted by cantfind1

Fuck me mate...that is dedication!!

Originally Posted by s.mac

Bloody Hell +1 to the dedication

I call myself a fanatic ... my wife just thinks I am nuts

Wait till I post a photo of my spare parts room !!

Originally Posted by Mark CSL

Great Post Tom

We want more

Have cut out the pattern but I haven't had time to go and hunt down the threads yet .... will update when there's a bit more to show for Mark

Originally Posted by s.mac

Have 4 of us already got some of that sheet of Alcantara in our cars ??

Four of you do indeed Happy to provide more if needed!!


The technical side of retriming isn't actually that difficult. I was actually rather surprised when I took it apart - it was a single thread from start to finish ... quite simple really.

[_Nathan_]

If anyone wants one doing in the UK then I can recommend royal steering wheels, cheap and did a good job on my e90 wheel, uses the proper alcantara and thread.

[NZ_M3]

Dedication is working on it 2 years later ... LOL ... this got put on the back burner until this week when I decided to tackle it during some spare weekend time inbetween diaper changes

I picked up a leather SMG steering wheel for cheap and decided to just cover it over with Alcantara rather than rip the leather out.

Didn't glue the alcantara in as I wasn't too sure how well the job would turn out .... not my best work as one the thread I had wasn't quite right and my sewing machine didn't have the correct thread pitch spacing for that perfect M stitching, so I modified it to suit. If I did it again, I'd go without the M stitching, what a pain in the backside to do, I'd just use two needles and use the X stitching - much stronger and better looking in my opinion : )

Photos:

Testing the pattern I had cut 2 years ago fits : )


Lined up perfectly


Starting to put it all together


Half done


Modified M stitching ... little wonky at places, but meh .. function over form I say, ... plus at least I know I can do this now myself in a couple of hours, so I'll just put another one on when this wears out

[NZ_M3]

Done