Centre armrest cover mod

Hello all

I know there have been a few threads about the centre armrest cover and that you can buy a readymade leather cover, or use Scotch gaud or similar to protect it. However from the photos shown I wasn't sure I liked the way the readymade cover fit, so I made my own.

Made not of leather, but a pretty good quality "vinyl" type material that has a bit of stretch to it.

- The armrest comes off via 8 screws (4 front, 4 rear) and then just lifts off. You need to open then slide it to get at two of the front screws.

- The material is anchored at the front where I left it long enough to fold under and hook overtop the mounts for the 4 screws (I cut holes out so the screw mounts would fit through).

- Once I had the front reasonable good I just folded the sides under and pulled the material snug from the back and then folded it under and put the screws back in.

A little tricky to do, I had originally cut the piece pretty large as I figure it was easier to cut more off as need then it was to add it back.

The armrest slides/open perfectly. For my first "upholstering" job I think it turned out pretty good and the colour & texture adds to the interior look.





Last shot has nothing to do with the armrest ... I just like it and wanted to share.



Enjoy your day!

Dan

 

Thanks Pooka glad you like the mod. Here are a few more I just took in daylight.

Dan

edit: fixed missing photos

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Glad you like it, and I saw your Lexus mod in the photo albums, nicely done.

Thanks
Dan

 

Hi Boo and thank you very much! There is one spot on the pax side that is a bit loose and I may have to tighten it up, but overall I am very pleased with the job.

I've haven't seen a Gen 2 so I'm just guessing, but I would think that if it slides or folds up to open then there should be either screws holding the cap on or a type of clip.

Good luck

Dan

 

Hi ibnird and thank you, glad you like it.

I only removed the top, the part that I ended up covering, not the whole slide piece. The 8 screws hold that to the part that slides.

I have attached a few shots which I hope will help. To access the front 4 screws you need to slide the lid once it is in the open/lifted position. I found this a bit tricky at first to do because once the lid is open/lifted position the lid does not slide. However I was able to get it to slide just at the point where I was beginning to lift it. You may have to play a bit with it, but it does work.

For the rear screws I just had to go mostly on feel, as I could manoeuvre myself into a position where I was able to see the cover from under (or I was afraid that if I did, I would never be able to get back up :redface

I hope this helps

 

Hi Kimoy

Thank you very much, was fun to do.

The material was bought at FabricLand (sowing store) here in London. We got the leather seating package however the armrest cover was fabric and both my wife and I felt that overtime it would/may wear and become shinny/smooth.

As to cost, $5 for a piece that was 39x40 inches (marked down 50% off, have to love it) and I used about 1/4 of that. As this was my first attempt at something like this, I figured if I mess up I had enough for a second.

 

Hi hsiaolc and Thanks happy that you like the look.

It's a good point re the heat, but I'm not sure it's "normal" vinyl? but I don't know enough about material (see photo). I was thinking either a good heavy cloth or leather as well, but then saw this stuff and really like the pattern, "snake skin"ish as you noted.

We will see how well this takes the heat, but so far it hasn't been any worse then the hard plastic on the shifter area.

 

Hi Tim

marine-grade eh ... that sounds good, I was pretty sure it wasn't just your normal run of the mill type vinyl. Thanks for the info and glad you like it.

I agree re the padding, especially ton the doors. I find that the centre rest at least has a bit of padding, but those door rest are brutal. I have enough material left to cover the doors, but think that I may be getting a bit over my head so will leave them for now.

Good luck with your project, hope you post the results after you finish it.

 

Great!! ... good luck and post what you end up with.

 

Thanks halpos4!

No not at all, only used professional stunt snakes over here Besides I have Irish heritage, so wouldn't want to p#ss off ST. Pat.