DIY leather arm rests

River88 · 05-01-2009, 06:23 PM

Beautiful job, that's exactly what i'm looking for

FoxRacR17 · 06-17-2009, 11:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tacogator

I wanted to know if either Reid or julesbchillin or anyone else who has done this install has had long term success with the 3M spray adhesive? Based on the date of the posts, it has been some time now and thought I could get some feedback on the durability.

I am also wondering the same thing. Yesterday was my girlfriends 21st birthday so we all went out with friends and of course she was drinking alot. While on the drive home at 3 in the morning she says I should pull over cause shes not feeling good, so I do, we wait a minute or two, and then she says she is fine, so we continue driving. We get all the way to her house, pull in the driveway, and then she is sitting there and makes a mad dash for the door to open it but doesnt do it in time and THROWS UP all over the fabric arm rest. Got a little bit on the window, and the door panel, but seriously it was like she was aming for the fabric because it was covered with puke. So I wiped it off right there, poured water all over it so it would be diluted, wiped it off the best i could, then booked it home so I could clean it off properly. I used warm water and dish washing soap with a toothbrush to scrub the cloth, then a wet towel to clean it, then a dry towel to soak up as much water as i could. Then i used some foamy carpet cleaner stuff and the tooth brush again, cleaned that up with water and towel, dried it again. Then soaked it with odoban for about 5 minutes, and dried it by dabbing a towel over the cloth. It doesnt look like its stained any, but I more worried that the odor will not come out.

I was thinking about doing this mod eventually, but after last night I may end up doing it sooner then planned. I got my wet okole seat covers, and I am thinking about buying a sheet of neopren from them to do my armrests now. Should I do them in neopren or leather? What would be the costs of the two to do a double cab, and finally a bump to tacogator's question, how are those armrests holding up after all that time??

camiliosalomanda · 06-17-2009, 11:20 AM

The neoprene is about 60 bones for a sheet of 50' by 80' or something, don't hold me to that its been a while. Just call and ask i believe they will sell it to you in two different sizes (full sheet and half sheet). only problem that i have had is the adhesive doesn't stick to it that well. I worked this thread exactly how it was instructed but the neoprene just might not hold that well. Any suggestions?

DdayIsNear · 06-17-2009, 12:01 PM

has anyone doen this live near nj,i am not capable of doing this on my own, so assintance would be welcomed. if nto, i may just have to mess it up myself and "customize" it.

Great job though,

tacogator · 06-17-2009, 12:09 PM

I did the mod, used Locktite spray and soon as the Florida heat kicked in, major Fail. I took the inserts back out, clean off the spray adhesive and took to an Upholstery shop. They said first of all, the synthetic leather used was not the best choice, that you have to make sure to clean the plastic part with either Zylene of Denatured Alcohol (can't remember which exact one they recommended and/or used) to remove any existing oils, and a contact cement type glue is best. Removing the oils is key b/c when the heat picks up, the plastic will release the oils and cause the adhesive to release. I am sure others can agree or correct me on the information, but all I know is that they only charged me $18 per door including real leather (i did the removal and re-installation), and it has been 3 months - 2 of which have provide 100+ degree temps inside the cab during the day - AND they are still holding on perfect after the described method. Again, I am sure I contributed to the original FAIL, but also the extra steps outlined by the upholstery shop can not hurt. Good luck to all.

Quote:

Originally Posted by FoxRacR17

I am also wondering the same thing. Yesterday was my girlfriends 21st birthday so we all went out with friends and of course she was drinking alot. While on the drive home at 3 in the morning she says I should pull over cause shes not feeling good, so I do, we wait a minute or two, and then she says she is fine, so we continue driving. We get all the way to her house, pull in the driveway, and then she is sitting there and makes a mad dash for the door to open it but doesnt do it in time and THROWS UP all over the fabric arm rest. Got a little bit on the window, and the door panel, but seriously it was like she was aming for the fabric because it was covered with puke. So I wiped it off right there, poured water all over it so it would be diluted, wiped it off the best i could, then booked it home so I could clean it off properly. I used warm water and dish washing soap with a toothbrush to scrub the cloth, then a wet towel to clean it, then a dry towel to soak up as much water as i could. Then i used some foamy carpet cleaner stuff and the tooth brush again, cleaned that up with water and towel, dried it again. Then soaked it with odoban for about 5 minutes, and dried it by dabbing a towel over the cloth. It doesnt look like its stained any, but I more worried that the odor will not come out.

I was thinking about doing this mod eventually, but after last night I may end up doing it sooner then planned. I got my wet okole seat covers, and I am thinking about buying a sheet of neopren from them to do my armrests now. Should I do them in neopren or leather? What would be the costs of the two to do a double cab, and finally a bump to tacogator's question, how are those armrests holding up after all that time??

Quote:

Originally Posted by camiliosalomanda

The neoprene is about 60 bones for a sheet of 50' by 80' or something, don't hold me to that its been a while. Just call and ask i believe they will sell it to you in two different sizes (full sheet and half sheet). only problem that i have had is the adhesive doesn't stick to it that well. I worked this thread exactly how it was instructed but the neoprene just might not hold that well. Any suggestions?

FoxRacR17 · 06-17-2009, 10:08 PM

Thanks for the info tacogator. I ended up doing my doors today. I went to joanns and bought some black vinyl that looks like leather, it was normally 35 bucks for a yard, but they had it on sale for 50% off, and I got a can of all purpose adhesive for 50% off also. I walked out of there only paying 22 bucks which was good in my opinion. I came home and did all the doors, took me a while, but I think they turned out great, now I will just see if they hold up over time. If they dont then I will just bring them to a upholstery shop like you did and have them do mine in leather.

200906171648_020.jpg
200906171512_019.jpg
200906171511_018.jpg

David Tarantino · 06-18-2009, 03:52 AM

nice job looks great

T@co_Pr3runn3r · 06-18-2009, 04:43 AM

I need to get off my ass & do this so badly! I can't stand that damn cloth on there.

tacogator · 06-18-2009, 04:59 AM

Looks great and I hope yours do in fact hold up better than mine.

Quote:

Originally Posted by FoxRacR17

Thanks for the info tacogator. I ended up doing my doors today. I went to joanns and bought some black vinyl that looks like leather, it was normally 35 bucks for a yard, but they had it on sale for 50% off, and I got a can of all purpose adhesive for 50% off also. I walked out of there only paying 22 bucks which was good in my opinion. I came home and did all the doors, took me a while, but I think they turned out great, now I will just see if they hold up over time. If they dont then I will just bring them to a upholstery shop like you did and have them do mine in leather.

Attachment 28948
Attachment 28949
Attachment 28950

carmellocafe · 06-21-2009, 08:19 PM

Sweet man! Awesome mod.

mitiko · 08-22-2009, 09:48 PM

Where can buy the piece of leather.?

Kyouto42 · 08-22-2009, 11:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mitiko

Where can buy the piece of leather.?

Your local fabric store...

tacoholic · 08-23-2009, 12:53 AM

Gorgeous! Damn good idea! Repped!

mitiko · 08-23-2009, 07:05 AM

any body knows where I can buy close to LOS ANGELES CA

jeremiekc · 08-23-2009, 08:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mitiko

any body knows where I can buy close to LOS ANGELES CA

Look up Tandy Leather. There are several in your area I believe. You will need about two square feet. I went with some fairly heavy leather as the real thin stuff just didn't feel right, I think mine is about a 6oz.

mitiko · 08-23-2009, 08:25 AM

what 's the silver points

jeremiekc · 08-23-2009, 08:32 AM

They are conchos that you can pick up at the leather store, they just have a stud on the back that you can screw into. I wanted something different. It looked really plain so I figured I would dress it up. I also took a thick foam floor mat that my wife had and used it as cusion to add a little padding. If you are going to do this mod I suggest using rubber cement. The 3M works but the rubber cement holds better and if you screw up or change your mind it just rubs off.

george3 · 09-16-2009, 03:28 PM

what do U think of this? $1.49 sq ft. is this the stuff to use? http://www.tandyleatherfactory.com/h...avlocation=top

Just4fununlimited · 10-26-2009, 11:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by reid

6. Now cut out a piece of leather slightly larger than the original fabric.

7. Use a spray adhesive to attach the leather to the arm rest. Then cut off the excess.

8. Once it is dry, place it back in the door panel. Use #10 x 1/2" sheet metal screws to attach the arm rest where the melt points were.

9. Then all you have to do is put the door panel back in your truck the opposite way you took it out. Here is a finished picture.

Any questions, just ask. Hope this helps.

Good stuff... another one I will have to try!!!

silverback · 11-09-2009, 06:51 PM

Thankyou, Thankyou. My arm rests on my truck look like someone rubbed their sweaty ass all over it. I had my doors off this weekend looking at how to install my speakers, and noticed the damn melted tabs on the armrest. I thought well there goes replacing the arm rests. Now Im heading to the upholstery shop Kuddos.

06-17-2009, 11:20 AM	#83
camiliosalomanda Junior Member Joined: May 2008, #6503 Location: Ramstein AB Germany Gender: Male Posts: 8 Super White 2009 Double Cab Automatic Mag Light Grill Craft Hella 500FF Wet Okole Weather Teach Flow Master OS Ram Night Breaker Rocky Mounts Foam Compartment Liners Power Inverter	Neoprene The neoprene is about 60 bones for a sheet of 50' by 80' or something, don't hold me to that its been a while. Just call and ask i believe they will sell it to you in two different sizes (full sheet and half sheet). only problem that i have had is the adhesive doesn't stick to it that well. I worked this thread exactly how it was instructed but the neoprene just might not hold that well. Any suggestions?

06-17-2009, 12:01 PM	#84
DdayIsNear Im an individual like everyone else Name: Crazy Eddie Joined: Jun 2009, #18432 Location: North West Jersey Age: 30 Gender: Guy Posts: 1,344 V6 SR5 TRD Sport 2007 Double Cab Manual V6 AVS Window Visor, Factory Tow Package, TACOMAWORLD.COM Sticker, Blue Interior Dome Light Condom, Grillecraft Black MeshGrill, Devil Horns Toyota Logo	has anyone doen this live near nj,i am not capable of doing this on my own, so assintance would be welcomed. if nto, i may just have to mess it up myself and "customize" it. Great job though, __________________ 2007 Silver Tacoma V6 SR5 TRD<>Manual Trans<>Tow Package<>TACOMA WORLD STICKER<>Blue Dome Light<>Devils Horns Emblem<>Grillecraft Black Mesh Grille<>Summit Racing Bed Mat<> 2007 Kawasaki Ninja 650r

08-23-2009, 12:53 AM	#93
tacoholic 09 but I drive a 012 Expedition... Name: Jeff...I'm pretty sure Joined: Jan 2009, #12480 Location: East Bay, CA Gender: Dude Posts: 4,459 Quite possibly, someday... Double Cab Automatic 4.0L V6	Gorgeous! Damn good idea! Repped! __________________ 2010 Ford Fusion Sport FWD...402A only. 2005 Ford Expedition Eddie Bauer...loaded. Will always want...2009 Tacoma //TRD Sport Double Cab Short Bed in SWB.

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05-01-2009, 06:23 PM	#81
River88 Junior Member Joined: Jan 2009, #13024 Location: Washington Gender: Male Posts: 18 2008 SILVER SPORT 4x4 2008 Access Cab Automatic V6 Tint, Gorilla Wheel Locks, Seatbelt chime disable mod...awesome!	Beautiful job, that's exactly what i'm looking for

06-17-2009, 10:08 PM	#86
FoxRacR17 Senior Member Name: Kevin Joined: Apr 2009, #15692 Location: SoCal Age: 23 Gender: Male Posts: 218 09 4x4 SR5 DoubleCab Short Bed 2009 Double Cab Manual 4.0L V6 Fox 2.5 C/O's, fox 2.0 rear shocks, toytec 1.5" AAL, TC UCA's, blue/white dashboard lights, seatbelt chime removed, Synthetic leather armrests, WO seat covers front and back	Thanks for the info tacogator. I ended up doing my doors today. I went to joanns and bought some black vinyl that looks like leather, it was normally 35 bucks for a yard, but they had it on sale for 50% off, and I got a can of all purpose adhesive for 50% off also. I walked out of there only paying 22 bucks which was good in my opinion. I came home and did all the doors, took me a while, but I think they turned out great, now I will just see if they hold up over time. If they dont then I will just bring them to a upholstery shop like you did and have them do mine in leather. 200906171648_020.jpg 200906171512_019.jpg 200906171511_018.jpg

06-18-2009, 03:52 AM	#87
David Tarantino Senior Member Joined: Jun 2008, #7428 Location: N.J. Gender: Male Posts: 2,185 08 tacoma 2008 Access Cab Automatic 4.0	nice job looks great

06-18-2009, 04:43 AM	#88
T@co_Pr3runn3r <<<<<<<<<<>>>>>>>>>> Joined: Jan 2009, #12767 Location: LAT 29 76 63.01N LON 95 36 45.10W Gender: Dude Posts: 2,088 05 Prerunner 2.7 5spd 2005 Access Cab Manual 2.7l 4cyl OEM all weather mats, ventguards, clear fogs, tint, tailgate lock, metra aux input for ipod/mp3, 5100s, wet okole seatcovers, aFe dropin, int wipers, oem cruise control..........so far	I need to get off my ass & do this so badly! I can't stand that damn cloth on there.

06-21-2009, 08:19 PM	#90
carmellocafe Begin With The End In Mind. Name: KEVIN Joined: May 2009, #17267 Location: N. California Age: 35 Gender: Male Posts: 1,203 06 Prerunner Access cab longbed 2006 Access Cab Automatic 4.0 V6 AFE Dry Pro filter Flowmaster muffler E-Z clamp tailgate mod.	Sweet man! Awesome mod.

08-22-2009, 09:48 PM	#91
mitiko Senior Member Joined: Sep 2008, #9163 Location: lax Posts: 143 05 prerunner trd 2005 Double Cab Automatic v6	Where can buy the piece of leather.?

08-23-2009, 07:05 AM	#94
mitiko Senior Member Joined: Sep 2008, #9163 Location: lax Posts: 143 05 prerunner trd 2005 Double Cab Automatic v6	any body knows where I can buy close to LOS ANGELES CA

08-23-2009, 08:25 AM	#96
mitiko Senior Member Joined: Sep 2008, #9163 Location: lax Posts: 143 05 prerunner trd 2005 Double Cab Automatic v6	what 's the silver points

08-23-2009, 08:32 AM	#97
jeremiekc Senior Member Name: Jeremie Joined: Apr 2009, #16031 Location: Vilseck, Germany Gender: Male Posts: 485 07 Base Model, Getting there 2007 Regular Cab Manual 2.7L Secondary Air Filter removed, Painted Brake Calipers, AFN Drop in air cleaner, OEM Chrome Bumper, OEM Chrome grilll, OEM Cruise Control, OEM Interval Wipers, Hard Wired Garmin Nuvi 670, X-Runner Rims, Devil Horns, 6000w HID's, Bling Light Fogs with Blue Halo, OEM Bilstein Rear Shocks, 12V Plug in Truck Bed pocket.	They are conchos that you can pick up at the leather store, they just have a stud on the back that you can screw into. I wanted something different. It looked really plain so I figured I would dress it up. I also took a thick foam floor mat that my wife had and used it as cusion to add a little padding. If you are going to do this mod I suggest using rubber cement. The 3M works but the rubber cement holds better and if you screw up or change your mind it just rubs off.

09-16-2009, 03:28 PM	#98
george3 Senior Member Joined: Jun 2008, #7173 Location: new jersey Posts: 435 tacoma 2008 Access Cab Manual 2.7 Seat belt beeper, Cabelas (Weathertech) floor liner gray, Covercraft Seat Savers in Taupe, Protecta Heavy Duty Rubber Truck Bed Mat, Pop n Lock PL5200, Pace Edwards Full Metal JackRabbit, Wolverine oil pan heater, Scangauge2, afe pro dry s filter, Remote Underbody 4 Piece LED Light Kit (White) used as Bed light, DIY Washable Cabin Air Filter, PA15-TOY	what do U think of this? $1.49 sq ft. is this the stuff to use? http://www.tandyleatherfactory.com/h...avlocation=top

11-09-2009, 06:51 PM	#100
silverback Member Joined: Oct 2009, #24802 Gender: Male Posts: 58	Thankyou, Thankyou. My arm rests on my truck look like someone rubbed their sweaty ass all over it. I had my doors off this weekend looking at how to install my speakers, and noticed the damn melted tabs on the armrest. I thought well there goes replacing the arm rests. Now Im heading to the upholstery shop Kuddos.