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Prius v Armrest Padding Modification

Discussion in 'Prius v Accessories and Modifications' started by JasonW, Dec 5, 2013.

  1. JasonW

    JasonW Junior Member

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    Three
    I went to a local auto upholstery shop, and asked about the center arm rest. Long story short, for $30, they were able to cover it with leather, and fix one of the biggest interior annoyances I had about the car. Here's how it came out:

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]

    I'm pretty happy with the result. They covered over the old fabric, and added just a little extra padding. Bottom line is, don't be afraid to go have this looked at. It was cheap to do, came out pretty nice, and took about 30 minutes to have done.
     
    ETAV8R, kenoarto, RichardY and 3 others like this.
  2. ImeanGreen

    ImeanGreen Prius v Five BP Brigade #236

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    How did you take out the arm rest?
     
  3. JasonW

    JasonW Junior Member

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    The installer did it. From what I can tell, you can pry the top section off of the part that makes up the door. (The arm rest pad, and the plastic that the pad attaches to, fits as a sort of cover, over the actual door part that has the hinges)

    This is a permanent change though, because (at least in my case) he used the existing padding, sprayed adhesive on it, added a bit more padding, and put the leather cover over that. I was a bit worried I wouldn't like it, and there was no going back.

    But it turned out just as good as I hoped it would be. Well worth $30.
     
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  4. kingnba6

    kingnba6 Active Member

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    so what about some pics?
     
  5. JasonW

    JasonW Junior Member

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    "After" Pics should be visible at the top of the thread.
     
  6. kingnba6

    kingnba6 Active Member

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    ah ok. im on a work computer where some of the sites are blocked. ill look at it when i get home
     
  7. davcar8

    davcar8 New Member

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    Very nice work and clean, congratulations.
     
  8. Paradox

    Paradox Prius Enthusiast / Moderator
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    Overall happy with my v but yes, Toyota cheaping out and putting cloth on the armrest when the rest of the seating surfaces are 'softex' was plain lame.
     
  9. Guill

    Guill Member

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    Nice! I like this better than the armrest cover I bought.

    Yeah, Toyota also was cheap with the '12 v when they didn't cover the steering wheel in softex. Of course they fixed this with the '13 model year.
     
  10. Air_Boss

    Air_Boss Senior Member

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    Likewise that cloth cover is perhaps the only sore point on the interior.

    Any idea what material they used? Looks just perfect!
     
  11. Eric "v"

    Eric "v" Member

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    My 2 model has a lot of handling mods and a CAI but the interior needs help. That cheap plastic scratches when you just look at it. I'm getting it upholstered with leather and will get the armrest covered with the same leather.

    But 1st I think I'll get the Classico seat covers sold here at the Prius Shop, then try to match the main seat color for the doors and armrest.
     
  12. Air_Boss

    Air_Boss Senior Member

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    I sourced a piece of dimpled leather that matched the SofTex dark gray.

    It is draped over the cover now, allowing it to form. Nice leather fragrance, too.
     
  13. mikefocke

    mikefocke Prius v Three 2012, Avalon 2011

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    Odd because the SET distributors kit for changing the cloth interior of a v Three to SofTex covers all cloth surfaces. Both air rests in the doors, center arm rest, seats and back of seats. Not a bit of cloth left. No issues in 20.5k miles.
     
  14. RichardY

    RichardY Junior Member

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    I did the arm mod myself.

    It was a little hard taking off the arm rest panel and I damaged it a little. See pics below. I did removed the whole console door, which you don't have to, just leave on and pry off the panel. I marked off where the tabs are. There is another pic, where I circled off, those are screws to take the fabric panel off.

    This mod cost:
    Bought in downtown LA fashion district: Fake leather material $8 for 54"x36", but only used 14"x9". If you like to buy my left over, PM, and I can sell you 14"x9" for $6 including shipping within US.
    Walmart fabric glue: $4
    Total cost about $14

    If I were to repeat, take off the original fabric on the arm rest. Spread glue out more evenly.


    1437 (Small).jpg 1436 (Small).jpg 1438 (Small).jpg
    1439 (Small).jpg 1440 (Small).jpg 1441 (Small).jpg 1443 (Small).jpg 1444 (Small).jpg 1445 (Small).jpg 1446 (Small).jpg 1448 (Small).jpg 1449 (Small).jpg 1450 (Small).jpg 1451 (Small).jpg 1452 (Small).jpg
     
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  15. Air_Boss

    Air_Boss Senior Member

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    Nicely done and written up.
     
  16. Native2PS

    Native2PS Member

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    I had this mod done as well, mine turned out just like the original poster's did, $50 at a local leather shop, I highly recommend this mod!
     
  17. Boston Jim

    Boston Jim Active Member

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    Was the original material attached with staples?
     
  18. Boston Jim

    Boston Jim Active Member

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    Pulled the arm rest apart thanks to the pictures from @RichardY with no damage. I took it over and had it recovered then put all the clips back on and reattached it with no problems. Then I found the four screws used to secure the top sitting next to me on the couch - doh! But I was able to easily pull it apart in 30 sec attach screws and pop it back into place. Not the best picture, but I'm happy with the results.

    (and yes the top has staples holding it in place)

    IMG_5162.gif
     
  19. Eric "v"

    Eric "v" Member

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    Eh... I think I'll have an upholstery shop do mine.
     
  20. RichardY

    RichardY Junior Member

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    yes it just staples.
     
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