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      09-15-2014, 11:38 AM   #23
doozyj
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Lol about the stripe. I think it is trial and error, for your first attempt it is actually great for what it is. How as the feel?
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      09-15-2014, 01:10 PM   #24
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Feels really good, took a few miles to get used to it but Im digging it the foam underneath the cover gives it just the right amount of squish.. Could take a nap on this stuff

Trial and error is a good way to describe this. The good thing is that since I have all the supplies and a pattern already, it'll only cost me about $15 and a few hours to try again
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      09-15-2014, 01:34 PM   #25
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Like a BAWS!
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      09-15-2014, 04:11 PM   #26
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very cool I noticed your alcantra is black where as in some cars is white/black

is it the angle on yours or is there some higher quality alcantra?


sample below
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      09-15-2014, 04:57 PM   #27
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Unless it's real suede ($$$) it's the same stuff. It comes in a ton of different colors, they sell a gray like that. I also remember seeing a very dark blue that would look awesome in a blue moupe
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      09-15-2014, 07:26 PM   #28
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It's not perfect, but it is pretty damn good for a first try! I don't think I could do much better myself on a first try. Can't wait to see the next one!
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      09-26-2014, 01:23 PM   #29
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Huge props for giving this a go. Def not perfect but a damn good first attempt. It'll only get better and easier from here I'm sure.
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      10-29-2014, 11:03 AM   #30
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Finally had a chance to give this another go. This one came out much better but still not perfect. I adjusted the pattern on the lower part of the wheel and they fit just about perfect with almost no wrinkles. The top part is still a bit wrinkly, but I think I know how to fix it... Still have enough material to do this 2 more times

I did learn that my sewing machine sucks in order to make the stitching super tight and snug, I need to use thicker thread, but my sewing machine can barely handle what I'm using already. I'm not going to pony up hundreds for a new machine, so I'll just have to live with the a small gap in the seam

Did this one without the red stripe, I think it looks cleaner. I also used double the foam on the inside this time, she's a fatty!



No idea when I'll have time to try again. The good thing is that this really doesn't take a long time now that I know what to do.
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      10-29-2014, 12:00 PM   #31
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Wow, that second one looks a lot better. Practice makes perfect and all that. I think I like it better without the red stripe at the 12 position as well.
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      10-29-2014, 01:21 PM   #32
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Honestly, you're trying and it's a really good thing. Practice makes perfect!!!!

Keep doing what you're doing and you might end up with something identical to OEM.

You do you buddy.

Also, i see the vision with the color scheme but it comes off a little tacky. 12 Oclock stripe works really well but I'm not too sure about the trim pieces.

Either way. Good job. You're getting closer to perfection
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      02-09-2015, 11:41 PM   #33
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Love your work mate, good on ya. I can see that conversation with you and your missus about "but your not a race driver" right in front of my eyes right now. Lol my missus would be along the lines of "you want me to saw what?, but sweetie, I cant saw..." lol.
Great job mate, I recon it looks good :-)
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      02-12-2015, 12:11 PM   #34
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Interesting

This looks pretty cool! I like the suede. Excited to see the next one.
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      04-12-2015, 11:41 PM   #35
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Looks damn good man, as far as the wrinkling goes, maybe get some white microfiber cloths, dampen them with hot water, then wrap them TIGHTLY around the wheel. Remove, then brush out the alcantara. sort of like steam-ironing a shirt?
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      08-12-2015, 04:01 PM   #36
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You are immensely talented and patient.
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      08-12-2015, 06:18 PM   #37
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I wish that were true, the reality is more like I'm on a budget!

Update on the wheel - it's been about 6-7k miles (not sure how many rubs that is) since I've first laid hands on it, and it's starting to show a little wear around the 10 o'clock hand rest. It looks a bit matted and is slightly glossy in the light. I should mention that I make no attempts to keep it in good shape (french fries while driving) and I haven't tried to clean/restore it at all. The rest of the wheel is looking pretty good still. Despite what she says, my wife chipped the vinyl on the bottom trim piece, so I have to re-wrap that again too.

In the fall I'm going to try another wrap. I think this time around I'm going to use the sewing machine just for making even holes in the fabric, and then I'm going to thread by hand. That way I can use some super thick stuff that I can really yank on and make tight.
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      08-12-2015, 07:34 PM   #38
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Quote:
Originally Posted by yousefnjr View Post
I wish that were true, the reality is more like I'm on a budget!

Update on the wheel - it's been about 6-7k miles (not sure how many rubs that is) since I've first laid hands on it, and it's starting to show a little wear around the 10 o'clock hand rest. It looks a bit matted and is slightly glossy in the light. I should mention that I make no attempts to keep it in good shape (french fries while driving) and I haven't tried to clean/restore it at all. The rest of the wheel is looking pretty good still. Despite what she says, my wife chipped the vinyl on the bottom trim piece, so I have to re-wrap that again too.

In the fall I'm going to try another wrap. I think this time around I'm going to use the sewing machine just for making even holes in the fabric, and then I'm going to thread by hand. That way I can use some super thick stuff that I can really yank on and make tight.
And you're modest too! haha but really this is not as easy as you make it seem. I've tried some leatherwork and it's not one of my high points lol. This looks like a really high quality job though, and a lot of good work gets done on a budget, it just requires more effort and creativity. Alcantara is naturally higher maintanence but very worth it. I would be curious to see if a thin leather would work on the trim pieces.
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      01-11-2016, 11:56 AM   #39
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Had a day with the kids out of the house, so I had a go at attempt #3. I had an issue with my sewing machine (bottom thread bobbin coming loose…) that I didn’t catch until after the red stitch was made, which is unfixable. The result is that the red thread was coming loose when I laced it up on the wheel, and I couldn’t get it fully snug I’ll have to do this again (#4) soon to fix that. The good news is that I’m down to about 3-4 hours total. Pattern fits great, wouldn’t be any wrinkles if it were fully tight.

At some point I’ll re-do the write up, but some quick tips:
-Use spray-on adhesive (3M makes a good one) to stick the insulation to itself and the fabric. Wet adhesives, even those made for fabrics, will not dry overnight. Ask me how I know...
-When you’re ready to fit the cover onto the wheel, lube it up with a little bit of soapy water. It’ll let you slide it on much easier and dries quick.

Pics:









Feels good
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      01-31-2016, 10:30 AM   #40
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Its looking real good now, would it be much more difficult to do this in leather considering how much harder of a material it is?
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      01-31-2016, 12:59 PM   #41
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mad respect for even attempting this!!!
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      02-01-2016, 01:22 PM   #42
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Quote:
Originally Posted by E86Z View Post
Its looking real good now, would it be much more difficult to do this in leather considering how much harder of a material it is?
Leather should be pretty much the same, the skin used from the factory is pretty close to the fabric in terms of thickness / flop. If you have a quality sewing machine you probably wouldn't notice a difference, but if you're using a cheapo one like I am, I'd pay extra attention to getting a proper stitch. The actual wrapping around the wheel would be the same.
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      02-02-2016, 03:00 PM   #43
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That is awesome! Great Job!
So, will you be selling the pattern?
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      02-02-2016, 04:22 PM   #44
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^^ no time (or talent...) for that, but I can post the pattern up if anybody would like to have a go on their own
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