Introduction: Tire Cover
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About: When things don't go the way I want, I still hear my father say: ‘There is no such word as can’t.’ The things I make, I make thanks to him. He taught me how to bake and paint and everything in between, I got h…
Our car, an old Daihatsu Feroza, has the spare tire on the rear door. Unfortunately there is no cover around the wheel so the sun can burn on the tire all day long. For a while we were looking for a cover but found it nowhere for sale. Of course you can order online but by the time it’s delivered where we live, the price has tripled. That might be still ok for a new car but it is too expensive for an old one.
When our car recently had to go to the garage, there was a Feroza for demolition with a cover around the spare tire. This cover was old and the mechanic offered it me for free. Due to the sun the cover was so dried out that the side fell apart completely so I dismantled it, replaced what was damaged and put everything back together again. This is how I did it:
When our car recently had to go to the garage, there was a Feroza for demolition with a cover around the spare tire. This cover was old and the mechanic offered it me for free. Due to the sun the cover was so dried out that the side fell apart completely so I dismantled it, replaced what was damaged and put everything back together again. This is how I did it:
Supplies
* Sturdy fabric, preferably canvas, for the band or entire cover if you can’t find an old one.
* Reflective ribbon (option)
* Yarn
* Pins
* Binder clips
* Sewing machine
* Speedy stitcher + thread
* Spray Glue
* Duck tape (needed because the reinforcement was torn)
* Elastic band
* Round elastic (watersports shop)
* ripper
* Reflective ribbon (option)
* Yarn
* Pins
* Binder clips
* Sewing machine
* Speedy stitcher + thread
* Spray Glue
* Duck tape (needed because the reinforcement was torn)
* Elastic band
* Round elastic (watersports shop)
* ripper
Step 1: Start and Front (circle)
Take the cover apart and calculate how much fabric you need. For the side, this is the circumference of the circle (if it can still be used as in my case) = 2 x r x π = 2πr (2x the radius times 3.14) measure the fabric twice and cut with a little excess. I still had 2 pieces of 150 x 35 cm and 2 pieces of 150 x 25 cm.
If you have to make the cover completely, then work in reverse order. Measure the circumference of your spare tire and now calculate the circle = divide the circumference by 3.14 you now have the diameter divide this by 2 and you have the radius. Set this distance on a large compass or make a construction with the help of a pencil, slat and pin so that you can draw the circle on paper. If the size is correct, cut it out twice. Make a reinforcement of hard plastic or plexiglass about 2/3 the size of the fabric.
From here on the method of old circle or new circle is the same. The entire cover is double, so both for the circle and the side there is a lower and an upper part. Lay the reinforcement on the lower circle and mark as soon as it is exactly in the middle, which makes gluing easier. Then spray the reinforcement with glue, do this outside, and press the reinforcement on the lower circle. Spray the lower circle with glue and press the upper circle on top. Spread out all the air bubbles and let them dry. Follow the instructions on the spray can for gluing. I don't have any photos of the gluing itself because it had to be processed quickly.
If you have to make the cover completely, then work in reverse order. Measure the circumference of your spare tire and now calculate the circle = divide the circumference by 3.14 you now have the diameter divide this by 2 and you have the radius. Set this distance on a large compass or make a construction with the help of a pencil, slat and pin so that you can draw the circle on paper. If the size is correct, cut it out twice. Make a reinforcement of hard plastic or plexiglass about 2/3 the size of the fabric.
From here on the method of old circle or new circle is the same. The entire cover is double, so both for the circle and the side there is a lower and an upper part. Lay the reinforcement on the lower circle and mark as soon as it is exactly in the middle, which makes gluing easier. Then spray the reinforcement with glue, do this outside, and press the reinforcement on the lower circle. Spray the lower circle with glue and press the upper circle on top. Spread out all the air bubbles and let them dry. Follow the instructions on the spray can for gluing. I don't have any photos of the gluing itself because it had to be processed quickly.
Step 2: The Side:
I put the two pieces of 150x35 together so that I had 1 band of 3 meters and did the same with the 150 x 25 pieces. My side must have a length of 203 cm + extra so I cut them at 215 cm. For the outer part (the one of 300x35) I kept the seam in the middle, so measured 107.5 cm on both sides of the seam. I just marked the inside part at 215 cm. This causes the seams to stagger and you prevent thick pieces that are difficult to sew.
I zigzag and then stitched them together over the length, now I have a band of 215x 56 (2cm of each band was for the seam) I fold the fabric lengthwise on the seam with the right sides facing out so I can measure on the circle.
For measuring the right size; fasten the side with binder clips to the circle and mark where the side should be put together. Measure how much to cut and divide by two to keep the seam on the outside in the middle. Don’t forget the extra for the seam. I had to cut 11 cm off, so 5.5 cm on each side.
If you want reflective ribbon on it, you have to put it on now.
Sew the seam and unfold the seam. Stitch the fabric on both sides of the seam.
Fold the fabric in half again and stitch the seam. You now have a strong attachment for the circle.
Gently open the short seam with a ripper up to the reflective ribbon, or if you don't use it, up to 5 cm at the top.
Cut three pieces of elastic band and sew it between the opened seam.
Fold the fabric of the wide band over the narrow band and stitch. Finally stitch a tunnel for the round elastic.
I zigzag and then stitched them together over the length, now I have a band of 215x 56 (2cm of each band was for the seam) I fold the fabric lengthwise on the seam with the right sides facing out so I can measure on the circle.
For measuring the right size; fasten the side with binder clips to the circle and mark where the side should be put together. Measure how much to cut and divide by two to keep the seam on the outside in the middle. Don’t forget the extra for the seam. I had to cut 11 cm off, so 5.5 cm on each side.
If you want reflective ribbon on it, you have to put it on now.
Sew the seam and unfold the seam. Stitch the fabric on both sides of the seam.
Fold the fabric in half again and stitch the seam. You now have a strong attachment for the circle.
Gently open the short seam with a ripper up to the reflective ribbon, or if you don't use it, up to 5 cm at the top.
Cut three pieces of elastic band and sew it between the opened seam.
Fold the fabric of the wide band over the narrow band and stitch. Finally stitch a tunnel for the round elastic.
Step 3: Mounting Side on Circle
Attach the side with binder clips to the circle. Sew both parts together with the speedy stitcher. Insert the stitcher through the fabric and pull the thread through it. Wind around 1.2 to 2 times the circumference of the thread. Hold the thread and pull the stitcher back. Insert the stitcher again through the fabric 3/4 cm from the first stitch, pass the unwound thread through the thread that runs over the needle of the stitcher and pull the stitcher back. Tighten the thread on both sides to a nice stitch and repeat this until you have gone all the way. For tie-off: repeat the last stitch, put the stitcher through the fabric, cut the thread about 10 cm and tie a knot. Cut off excess thread.
Finally thread the round elastic through the tunnel. Fit the cover over the wheel, tighten the elastic and close with a flat button. From now on the tire is protected against harmful sunrays.
Finally thread the round elastic through the tunnel. Fit the cover over the wheel, tighten the elastic and close with a flat button. From now on the tire is protected against harmful sunrays.