Removing Rubber steering wheel Cover

[Hermit Scott]

The wheel on my boat has a yellowish colored rubber covering that I suspect isn't supposed to be yellow. The rubber is rock hard otherwise I would cut it off using razor blades. I want to install a leather cover. Has any one removed one of these? Is there a chemical that will dissolve it that won't damage the stainless?

 

[kendall]

I'm not aware of any solvents that would dissolve the plastic well enough to remove it cleanly or cheaply enough to be worthwhile.

Possible method is to take a block of wood, bore a hole through it the same diameter as the wheel rim, cut that in half accross the hole, then cut a slot in one side to fit a short section of a hacksaw blade, then use it as a guide to cut a slot all the way around the wheel and see if you can peel it off. You'll need to make the slot deepp enough so you can install a bolt to clamp the blade in place, adjust it just as deep as the covering so you don't cut the steel core.

Any reason you couldn't just go right over it?

Ken.

 

[Chuckbear]

The leather cover is going to go over it so why bother?

 

[BobM]

There isn't much rubber / plastic that methylene chloride won't take soften up and destroy. It is most readily available in paint strippers. Just be careful with it as it is carcinogenic. Ventilation / vapor mask and heavy gloves are recommended.

 

[Stu Jackson]

The purpose of a wheel cover

at least where I live, is to keep your hands from freezing on the wheel - they do get cold. In some areas I'd bet they get too hot to handle.

Unless the cover is absolutely horrible visually, if it functions for these reasons, why not just leave it?

If you do put leather over it, be careful, because the width of the leather covers is based on the circumference of the wheel SS tubing. If the existing rubber is thick, the leather won't fit over it. Usually the leather kits are pre-drilled for the thread. It's still a hand-numbing experience sewing one of those leather covers on. My fingers still hurt from doing it nine years ago!

 

[Hermit Scott]

The rubber/plastic extends down the spokes, so covering it is not an option. It is very ugly.
Kendall-there is no pealing this stuff, it's either hardened rubber or plastic.
I am going to try to remove the derelict apperance from my boat. I am going to mary kate on and off the entire deck and cockpit and attempt to polish all that and paint the non-slip surfaces with something that will make it look as stock as possible. Once I do that and something with the port lights, my boat should not look like an abandoned boat.
BobM I will try methylene chloride.
Stu-there is no such thing as cold in Texas, just different amounts of burning hot.

 

[Ron20324]

Hermit, there is a company that does that rubber coating. A friend had it done and it looks good. They advertise in the sailing pubs. If not have them do a new coating, maybe they can tell you how to get it off?

 

[Ross]

You could cover those spokes with service with a turks head at each end. A leather covered rim and served spokes it will look very yar.

 

[Hermit Scott]

What in the world is a turks head?

 

[catsailor]

I covered my wheel with line, as Ross suggests, because I found it more comfortable than leather.

You could cover those spokes with service with a turks head at each end. A leather covered rim and served spokes it will look very yar.

It is cooler in the summer, not hard on the hands to do IF you wear rubber coated garden gloves to get real grip, it's cheap to do, and holds up well. It increases the diameter of the rim too, which I find to be a plus. Better than leather, in wet locations.

Hint: if you do it wet it will shrink an be tighter... but I don't think I could have tied a turks head (should be described on any "knot" web site) wet. Dry is OK too, if you tension it well. I did mine dry.

I have also wrapped some grab handles on the boat too, to increase the diameter and to increase grip. In some locations this is helpful - others it is not. If you grab - yes. If you slide along - no.

 

[Ross]

What in the world is a turks head?

It took me a minute to find an easy one but check this out.
http://www.2020site.org/knots/turksheadknot.html

 

[Hermit Scott]

It looks like a monkey's paw.

 

[Ross]

Turks head knot laid up as a napkin ring.

 

[DannyS]

Here's one company's guarantee and website. They speak of removal and recoloring.

http://www.colorwheelz.com/guarantee.shtm

ColorWheelz covers are so rugged, they are guaranteed for 10 years* from defects, workmanship, and even sun damage.

If you damage your wheel, even if it is your fault, or if you don't like the color anytime during your ownership of the wheel, we will replace it with a new ColorWheelz color of your choice for half price!
If within 30 days you are not completely satisfied with your ColorWheelz covered wheel, strip the cover from your wheel and return it to us for a full refund.
*Limited to normal use and wear.

 

[rpwillia]

Do you have a Colorwheelz Install?

Hermit, I have seen the Colorwheelz stuff at boat shows and it looks really nice. Could it be what you have is that? Not a great testimonial if it gets really old and hard.

PS Check out my chart plotter post on the 310 forum.

 

[Hermit Scott]

I am going to try one thing before I strip it. Maine Sail used Mary Kate on and off on the bottom of his rib and it took alll discoloration out. I don't know if it will work but I am going to to the deck, coach roof, all that so I will try it on the wheel cover. Thanks for the link but that too much. I was looking up new wheels and they have some that cost more than boat.
What is the 310 forum?
Edit: Oh, catalina 310 forum.