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gsrteg
03-20-2011, 10:51 PM
Hey guys, just wanted to share a quick tutorial of how to re upholster your armrest. I know on most older cars the fabric tends to wear out and fall apart, but with little work and money you can get it back to stock or custom. Its a quick and easy diy project that requires little work, time, and money on material. First off, you need your supplies and the cover of your armrest.

Tools and Supplies:
-Headliner adhesive spray can (about $10.99)
-Fabric Scissors (any will do, as long as it can cut fabric, got mine for $3.99 at JoAnn)
-Phillips Screwdriver
-Razor blade
-1 yard or less of Fabric (Choice of material, go to HobbyLobby, JoAnn, Michaels; Prices range)
-Iron and Iron board (If fabric is wrinkled, it comes in handy)

Instructions:
Gather you tools and supplies.
http://i187.photobucket.com/albums/x45/whoasnoopy/9.jpg

So go to your car and unscrew the 3 or 4 screws where the hinge is holding your armrest cover. you endup getting this:
http://i187.photobucket.com/albums/x45/whoasnoopy/1-2.jpg

http://i187.photobucket.com/albums/x45/whoasnoopy/2-3.jpg
If you can see, some of my fabric is already peeling off, no worries. By simply reupholstering it, the armrest will look new again.

http://i187.photobucket.com/albums/x45/whoasnoopy/3-3.jpg

Next begin, locating all the screws underneath the armrest cover and carefully unscrew them. Keep track of all the screws and where they go. Mine had a latch so, you need to take that off also.
http://i187.photobucket.com/albums/x45/whoasnoopy/6-1.jpg

http://i187.photobucket.com/albums/x45/whoasnoopy/7-1.jpg

http://i187.photobucket.com/albums/x45/whoasnoopy/5-1.jpg

http://i187.photobucket.com/albums/x45/whoasnoopy/4-2.jpg

Pry off the plastic part underneath the armrest cover. This will allow you to peel off the old fabric off. Proceed to slowly peel off the fabric, trying not to peel the cushion.
http://i187.photobucket.com/albums/x45/whoasnoopy/10.jpg

http://i187.photobucket.com/albums/x45/whoasnoopy/11.jpg

http://i187.photobucket.com/albums/x45/whoasnoopy/12.jpg

http://i187.photobucket.com/albums/x45/whoasnoopy/13.jpg

http://i187.photobucket.com/albums/x45/whoasnoopy/14.jpg

http://i187.photobucket.com/albums/x45/whoasnoopy/15.jpg

Grab your new fabric (I chose a black cloth fabric, feels like oem cloth material. I paid $8.9/yrd), and your scissors. Lay the old armrest cover fabric over the new fabric material and cut out a rough shape.
http://i187.photobucket.com/albums/x45/whoasnoopy/16.jpg

http://i187.photobucket.com/albums/x45/whoasnoopy/17.jpg

http://i187.photobucket.com/albums/x45/whoasnoopy/18.jpg

Grab your iron and iron board. Iron with steam it if you have to, to get rid of the wrinkles. Be cautious not to destroy your new fabric:
http://i187.photobucket.com/albums/x45/whoasnoopy/22.jpg

http://i187.photobucket.com/albums/x45/whoasnoopy/22.jpg

Then once you are done ironing, lay out the fabric on top of the ground or safe area, and lightly coat it with some adhesive (MAKE sure you are coating the correct side of the fabric, because there is a backside and front side). At the same time, coat a generous amount of adhesive to the top/sides/undersides of the bar armrest cover. Allow a 2-5 minute flash/dry time for the adhesive before you actually join the two together. Here is how it should look.
http://i187.photobucket.com/albums/x45/whoasnoopy/25.jpg

http://i187.photobucket.com/albums/x45/whoasnoopy/24.jpg

http://i187.photobucket.com/albums/x45/whoasnoopy/23.jpg

Then carefully and stretch the new fabric and wrap the armrest; the adhesive is really sticky and will not dry out. Get all the wrinkles out by gently pulling off and stretching it over again to wrap the the armrest cover. Get all the contour shape of the cover, be patient and wise about it, theres no need to rush. Work your way around.
http://i187.photobucket.com/albums/x45/whoasnoopy/26.jpg

http://i187.photobucket.com/albums/x45/whoasnoopy/27.jpg

http://i187.photobucket.com/albums/x45/whoasnoopy/29.jpg

Once you have gotten most of the fabric straightened out, begin trimming some of the excess material off underneath (you'll know what i mean when you get to this part). When you finished, put the underneath cover back on with the screws and you are good to go. Go to your car and screw it back on to the rest of the armrest.

http://i187.photobucket.com/albums/x45/whoasnoopy/30.jpg

http://i187.photobucket.com/albums/x45/whoasnoopy/31.jpg

http://i187.photobucket.com/albums/x45/whoasnoopy/32.jpg

RL...
03-21-2011, 12:03 AM
good job, I plan on doing my headrest, center console armrest, and door panel inserts in black alcantara suede soon

CautionMeDC2
03-21-2011, 01:20 AM
rep for the tutorial and the I heart boobies bracelet lol.

gsrteg
03-21-2011, 08:34 AM
rep for the tutorial and the I heart boobies bracelet lol.
Thanks for rep.

gsrteg
03-21-2011, 08:35 AM
good job, I plan on doing my headrest, center console armrest, and door panel inserts in black alcantara suede soon
Sounds good man, hope it turns out great. Cant wait to see finished results if you don't mind.

JessAlba452
03-22-2011, 10:52 PM
good job, I plan on doing my headrest, center console armrest, and door panel inserts in black alcantara suede soon
It's going to be awesome! Can't wait to see it done Rick :)

Great write up gsrteg! :)

97ITR86
03-28-2011, 12:00 PM
looks good bro. I just did my door panels this weekend. It gives your interior a fresh look.

gsrteg
03-28-2011, 04:40 PM
looks good bro. I just did my door panels this weekend. It gives your interior a fresh look.

thanks. I plan on doing my door panels pretty soon too, i'll post up a diy on it also (when the weather gets better)

97ITR86
03-29-2011, 01:36 PM
http://i1123.photobucket.com/albums/l548/lpitts82/Atlanta-20110326-00161.jpg

Not trying to thread jack. hahaha

gsrteg
03-29-2011, 03:58 PM
Not trying to thread jack. hahaha

Looks good man. Did you end up taking the whole door panel off or just reupholstered the panel on the door? I'm trying to figure this out before i actually do attempt. If i dont need to take off the panel, it will save me time and chances of breaking any clips/tabs. Let me know

97ITR86
03-30-2011, 10:34 AM
Take the door panel off. It is worth it to make everything fit correctly. What kind of car do you have?

RL...
04-15-2011, 09:03 PM
I just did my center console, door panel inserts are next on my list. This armrest was a little complicated and I had to get my friend to sow 2 pieces together to make it look oem-ish.

before: you can see a tear from being used/old
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5146/5623469112_64f246a3f8_z.jpg

after:
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5030/5623469194_99be8f952b_z.jpg

RL...
04-21-2011, 11:25 PM
I just wrapped my door panel inserts in suede as well!

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5061/5642532952_114a5071f0_z.jpg

allmotor-teg
04-22-2011, 03:43 PM
very good guide, should be doing it myself!!!

gsrteg
04-22-2011, 07:40 PM
I just did my center console, door panel inserts are next on my list. This armrest was a little complicated and I had to get my friend to sow 2 pieces together to make it look oem-ish.

before: you can see a tear from being used/old
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5146/5623469112_64f246a3f8_z.jpg

after:
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5030/5623469194_99be8f952b_z.jpg


Nice job man. Glad to see the finish product.

gsrteg
04-22-2011, 07:41 PM
very good guide, should be doing it myself!!!

yea, you should. its a quick weekend car project.

allmotor-teg
04-23-2011, 03:31 PM
yea, you should. its a quick weekend car project.

^ ill even try and do the interior, roof all that stuff.