You can learn all the techniques used to construct this custom steering wheel at FishCamp, the advanced skills and technique course that Rivera teaches at the Installer Institute. All the materials, as well as Fishman's product line, can be purchased from The Install Bay catalog, available by visiting www.metraonline.com.
If you've been around the car audio scene at all then you know Dave "Fishman" Rivera and his fantastical creations. The man who made his name by installing a fish tank in some of his system designs is also known for his advanced skills using liquid acrylic. Here he provides readers with a how-to for a customized steering wheel which will be featured in the Metra Ford SUV project he's been working on the past year. Look for the story next month.
 An enthusiastic Rivera about...  An enthusiastic Rivera about to tackle a stock steering wheel. |  First, start off by making...  First, start off by making a rough sketch of half the wheel on a piece of 1/2" MDF. |  Use spray-on contact adhesive...  Use spray-on contact adhesive to adhere the template to a piece of 1" acrylic. |
 The 1" acrylic is the basis...  The 1" acrylic is the basis for the new steering wheel. The next step is making the aluminum inserts. |  Here's the fun part-liquid...  Here's the fun part-liquid acrylic casting resin, a.k.a. "liquid plexi." This product allows you to embed whatever you want into acrylic. |  After the liquid acrylic cures,...  After the liquid acrylic cures, it is solid acrylic, which can be ground, sanded and buffed. |
 Here's the steering wheel...  Here's the steering wheel buffed and polished. |  A suede-wrapped air bag finishes...  A suede-wrapped air bag finishes off this project-Fishman styling while retaining factory controls and air bag! It's the ultimate steering wheel. | |