DIY leather arm rests

3m 90 spray adhesive Or rubber cement

 

What size drill bit should I use? I used a 3/16" because 3/8" seemed too large compared to what the op had in his pictures, and I kind of think I should actually use a 3/8" just drilling till I've cleared the wide part of the rivet.
Also I bought the eBay perforated vinyl arm rests and I hope that the glue doesn't seep through. I plan on spraying one coat of adhesive 90 3m and letting it dry for 5 minutes then spraying another coat and hopefully that will work!

 

Okay so for a 2010 with the grey interior I used a much smaller drill bit, and a 3/8" bit wont even work with the recommended screws by OP, I cut in between the panel and serrated the panel from the tube section of the grommet, keeping the grommet on top of it intact I drilled with a small drill bit and when it came to reattaching I simply screwed the screws in using a hand screwdriver as I didn't want to go too fast.

As far as placing the vinyl or leather I simply started along the longest side and placed it in the middle after using 3M super 77 and I placed quite a few coats on there once it was tacky and didn't come right off onto my hand (the glue.) Gluing both the fabric and part of the door I took off I didn't think there would be a need for sanding so I didn't and it worked great although time will have to tell. However the super 77 from 3M did give me enough adhesion to allow the edges of the material I was gluing to stick really well onto the edges of the plastic and it was all gripped really well.

Looking back I wish I had ordered some leather as the eBay perforated vinyl door is really just perforated vinyl cut to size... you still have to stretch it your self which is why I suggest starting in the middle and laying that thin portion down and working from both sides or it might leave an air gap in between in the middle which hopefully you can avoid by doing this. I did not and only had the thought very much so afterwards!

Also our steering wheels are leather so it did dawn on me that leather if you buy full grain really does hold up to the elements, however if you buy glued together PU leather or other variants then your not going to be a happy camper your going to be miserable and it's going to look like that club downtown where it's cool to sit on a couch that's fabric and suede in spots almost like sia.

*I accidentally bought super 77 from 3M, don't do what I did, buy 90, and I really hope it holds up to the 100 degree summers and it's negative so that's your result for snow winters.

 

Anyone need any precut vinyl for this project? I bought these before my truck died. Now they are just in the garage. They are Katzkin brand

 

How much you want for them? My armrests are starting to wear thin in certain spots and look pretty grungy.

 

How bout $15 shipped? PP gift and I will send them your way. I am thinking $5 for shipping and $10 for lunch

 

Sounds good to me

 

Whats involved in the stretching process? Oh and the mounting process too please? Additional tools, pics?

 

I have been wanting to do this for a while but I am too nervous to drill far into the door panel! Thanks for the writeup

 

No biggie, getting the right screws for the posts after grinding off the melted rivet points where the armrest is attached to the door panel is the most important part to get right. You can always go back in and change vinyl to different kind or reglue after yrs of service if need be. Mine are still good after several yrs but pondering going with perf to match dash, upper door panel and trim on the 2013 steering wheel I swapped to.

 

Hoping to do this on Wednesday in faux suede to Match the prp seats.

 

Reid,

Wanted to thank you for your post and help. Love the upgrade I did and followed your advice along the way. This is before.

 

This is after. Thanks again!

 

Just wanted to say I did the front doors yesterday. Got the driver's side done very well but messed up the passenger's side. Luckily the guy I bought them from sold me replacements at a discounted price. I highly recommend buying them from this guy: https://www.ebay.com/sch/fowlconfan/m.html?_nkw=&_armrs=1&_ipg=&_from=

 

I want to do this leather cover job, but I also want to cover the bit of rubbery stuff on the passenger side of the dashboard. I have a '19 Cement Off Road DC. Has anyone tried swapping out that material? The orange bit in the picture below is the part I'm referring to:

I really dig orangey-brown leather, so I am looking to order a Katzkin kit in as close to this color as I can get. I'm kind of afraid to ask anyone what they think of the cement-cognac combo. I'm colorblind, and I think it'll look great. That's all that really matters, right? The picture below is of an interior kit for a Jeep JL that has the look I'm going for:



I think the quited cushions are a bit much for a Tacoma, so I'll probably get my seats like this:

 

Subbed so I can find it later. Probably much later. I bought new inserts 5 years ago that I still jeed to install.

 

my armrest is cracked (previous owner must of put all their weight on it before). Any suggestions on how to fix? anyone have old door panel that I can buy?

 

Just checking before I start....Is the drill size really 3/8 to drill out the plastic welds? Just seems pretty big.

 

You do not go very deep, just enough to remove the head. Think of it looking like a rivet and you just want to cut off the very top part.

 

Mine drivers side was also cracked.
I believe it's common, due to a poorly designed seam in the plastic armrest support.

Had mine repaired and reinforced with some fiberglass...been holding up for a few years now.

Now hoping they didn't cover the original melted mounting points, as I would love to do this mod.
reid, many thanks for the post