How to Wrap a Steering Wheel

Co-authored by Angel Ricardo

Last Updated: December 8, 2022

Sun exposure and the demands of daily driving mean your car's steering wheel is oftentimes one of the first parts to suffer from wear and tear. To protect it from further damage, clean your steering wheel, choose a material like leather or paracord, and proceed to upgrade your worn-out wheel to a handcrafted beauty.

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Wrapping with Paracord

1
Clean your steering wheel. Spray a microfiber cloth with an automotive interior cleaner and wipe the steering wheel in a 360-degree motion. Twist the towel back and forth as you move around the wheel to trap dirt onto the towel.^{[1]
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- If you don't have access to an automotive interior cleaner, you can mix water and all-purpose cleaner in a 3:1 ratio to create a cleaner that's safe for your car's interior.^{[2]
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- A leather cleaner is also a good option since some steering wheels are made with vinyl leather. Spritz it onto a microfiber cloth before wiping down the surface of the wheel.
2
Start with no less than 100 feet of paracord. You may use less depending on the size of your steering wheel, but packs of 100 feet paracord are easily attainable, and are easy to work with.

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3
Spool your paracord. Organizing your paracord into a small bunch will allow you to wrap more efficiently. This will also prevent the cord from getting tangled, causing a major headache.
- Either find a spool to wrap your paracord on, or simply wrap it around your hand then tie a hair tie around the cord.
4
Tie a cow-hitch knot. The cow-hitch knot is a simple and secure knot that will serve as the anchor for the rest of your wrap. Be sure to tighten this knot before proceeding with the rest of the wrap.^{[3]
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Research source} To tie a cow-hitch knot:
- Create a loop on one end of the paracord, keeping the remaining spooled cord in your right hand.^{[4]
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- Throw this loop OVER the steering wheel, allowing it to hang below the wheel.^{[5]
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- Open the loop.^{[6]
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- Hold the spool and the tag end of the cord in your right hand.^{[7]
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- Pass the spool and tag under the wheel.^{[8]
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- Reach through the loop with your left hand.^{[9]
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- Pull the spool and tag up through the loop, transferring the spool from your right to your left hand. The tag end should now be on the left, and the spool on the right, allowing you to continue the wrap to the right.^{[10]
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- Cinch the knot down. Pull on the tag and the spool to tighten the knot.^{[11]
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5
Tie a series of overhand knots. This will be a series of over-under, over-under movements. Stay focused so as to not lose track of your place in the pattern.^{[12]
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- Create a loop OVER the wheel.^{[13]
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- Take your spool, and pass it UP through the loop.^{[14]
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- Pull your cord through the loop.^{[15]
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- Tighten the knot.^{[16]
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- Create a loop UNDER the wheel.^{[17]
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- Take your spool, and pass it DOWN through the loop.^{[18]
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- Pull your cord through the loop.^{[19]
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- Tighten the knot.^{[20]
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6
Follow the over-under pattern. Continue to follow the over-under pattern until you have covered the extent of your wheel. All of your knots should align. If you notice your knots start to move out of line, slow down.
7
Be patient. This process will take time and focus. Take your time, and tighten your knots as you move around the wheel. There may be instances where you need to back-track. Remember that this is part of the process, and don't get discouraged.
8
Cut any excess cord. When you reach the end of your wheel, you will have two pieces of cord dangling from the wheel. The first is the tag that you started with, and the second is the remnants of the spool. Take scissors and cut both of these pieces as close to wheel as you can.^{[21]
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9
Melt the raw ends of the cord. Using a lighter, briefly touch the flame to the cord until the edges are melted, preventing fraying. Do not allow the flame to linger on the cord, as this will burn the cord.^{[22]
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Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Wrapping with Leather or Alcantra

1
Clean your steering wheel. Choose a cleaner appropriate to your steering wheel's material (leather cleaner for leather, or all-purpose cleaner for metal). Spray a microfiber cloth with this cleaner and coat the wheel. Rub the towel around the wheel to remove dirt and debris.
2
Cut pieces of leather or alcantara to fit your wheel. If you're cutting your own leather, lay it over the steering wheel and mark where you need to make cuts. Remember that the leather will need to be tight on the wheel, therefore cut slightly smaller than the actual wheel, to account for stretch.
- You can also purchase pre-cut steering wheel leather. These packages generally come with the needle and thread.
3
Use a sewing machine to pierce holes. Fold the leather in half, and, starting approximately 1/16th of an inch away from the end of the leather, run the folded piece of leather under the sewing needle without any thread. Move slowly to ensure you maintain a straight line.^{[23]
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4
Measure your thread. Lay the thread on the circumference of the steering wheel to determine an appropriate length. Take the measured length, add 3 more inches, then double it before cutting.^{[24]
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Thread two needles. Run the thread through one needle, then on the opposite end of the thread, thread the second needle.^{[25]
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Cross stitch the leather to the wheel. Most manufacturers use a cross-stitch on their stock steering wheels. It holds securely and adds a touch of elegance to both leather and alcantara. To cross stitch, follow these steps:
- Starting with the first pre-pierced hole, run needle 1 through from left to right, then follow with needle 2 from right to left (through the same series of holes).
- Follow this pattern, alternating which needle goes from left to right versus right to left, until you've reached the end of the leather section.^{[26]
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- If you prefer, you can use other stitching methods, such as a diamond-shaped stitch, or a hexagonal-shaped stitch.
7
Close your stitch. When you reach the last hole, proceed with the pattern as normal, but in addition, run each needle through the last hole one more time, this time running the needle under the existing stitch.^{[27]
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Research source} To secure the thread follow these steps:
- Remove the needles from the thread, and pull the thread tight.
- Tie the two ends of thread together, securing the stitches in place.
- Cut any excess thread away.^{[28]
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Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Using a Store-Bought Wrap

1
Purchase a compatible wrap. Look online, or visit an auto parts store to find a wrap that will fit your car's steering wheel. Pre-made wraps come in many material and design varieties, so these wraps are a good option if you're short on time, or want a particular look to match your car's interior design theme.
2
Clean your steering wheel. Using a cleaner that is safe for your car's interior, spray a microfiber cloth and wipe the steering wheel in a circular motion.^{[29]
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Research source} It is best to wrap a clean steering wheel, so that dirt and debris does not get trapped under the wrap to damage your wheel.
3
Follow the instructions on the wrap packaging. Many pre-made wraps simply require you to stretch them around the steering wheel. Read the package instructions carefully, and follow them.