DIY leather arm rests

Reid, I've got a related question. I'm a tall guy and the arm rests are too low. As a result, I end up driving with my elbow up by the window. I've though about reaising the level of the arm rest with a pad over it but now you've inspired me to remove the rest and replace the fabric but install some way to raie it. Thoughts?, Materials? BTW - the Black Leather is awesome.

 

subed

 

Do you have to take entire door panel off to accomplish this, or is there a way to pop panels out without?

 

Definitely have to remove the door panel because the arm rest panels are sort of plastic pop-riveted to the door panel. And as shown in the OP, you have to drill out or chisel them off to remove the armrest. Door panel removal is super easy though

 

Is that Vancouver BC or Washington dude...I am in BC

 

Has anyone tried Hydro Turf as a pad under the outer covering? Its closed cell foam used on PWCs and boats, I have it on the floor and boxes of my Mud Boat.

They make an under pad that is 5mm (about 3/16) thick as well as other sizes 8mm (~5/16) etc.... This stuff sticks really well (permanently even with my boat stored outside) w/ Super 90 or Weldwood and will take glue on the top for adhering the covering.

http://hydroturf.com/products/Sheets_of_Hydro-Turf/Underpad

 

sub'd

 

I thought this was an awesome idea but for the smallest 5mm pad it is $21 shipped + tax. I am trying to find a small pad for underneath all 4, will look for an alternative. Great DIY.

 

Going on 3rd attempt with armrests.... Any help/advise would be greatly appreciated.

The 1st attempt, I didn't take my time, I used 2 different spray adhesives over the factory pad. The next day, the vinyl lifted on the inside curve of the arm rest, so I rubbed it back down, that last for an hour..... I had John Huey send me 2 more pieces and tried it again (2nd attempt was last night), this time without the factory pad. I used mineral spirits to clean the glue off, then let it dry. Afterwards used the weldwood contact cement, let it dry for 10 min on both plastic side and vinyl, then put them together... then formed everything.

I used a yellow sponge (from home depot) to keep pressure into the curve, then bungie corded a board over it and let this sit overnight. This morning it looked perfect! Within 2 hours or so after letting it sit on its own, it starts lifting from the inside curve again.

...I could easily rip this thing to shreds right about now, but then I heard you can't just replace the plastic piece, ya have to buy a whole door panel....
I brought the other 2 pieces of un-used vinyl to a leather furniture store and had them match the grain/color to leather. This is going to run me $35 for 1/2 a yard of leather (not a bad deal).

The question is...... How and what can I do to make the leather stay down/attached to the armrests?

 

if you use the proper glue and use it correctly it achieves adhesion immediately. no weights to hold it down. once you let it down it's stuck.

watch this video - buy the same adhesive - follow the directions in the video.

Very simple - just did mine a few weeks ago and they are perfect




video thats been posted in here by another member
http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/2nd-gen-tacomas/2755-diy-leather-arm-rests-17.html#post7340475

 

My next project.

My elbow after 8 years have cracked this bastard too. So plastic-weld and some new fabric needs to be done. Great write-up!

 

Mine was starting to crack so I beefed it up with epoxy and lexan before putting them back in.

 

The material that was used for the door armrest on my frontier had a permanent dip in it from my elbow. I hated that! The underlying plastic on the Tacoma arm rests don't allow that but the material is pretty thin. I'm gonna call Wet Okole soon to order the material so I can do mine and maybe add some padding while I'm at it. By the way, anyone know how much the material from Wet Okole is for this project?

 

Thanks for the tip!... I watched the video, that will help a lot. I'll try some denatured alcohol next time to ensure all oils are gone.

 

It's getting near time for me to do this. My drivers door has cracked.

 

That's what i'll do. The plastic weld is what I will do to fix it.

 

I'm trying to get crazy with what I want to use for cloth????

I wanted some black Oregon Ducks cloth, vinyl whatever.... but can't find it anywhere so I was thinking one of my black Oregon duck t-shirts......cut out logo part of shirt, wrap the area and glue it down. Wondering if t-shirt material will wear (probably) and tear too much though.

 

sub'd

 

Looks good. How much material did you use? (assuming you did all 4 doors)

 

have you seen the cracks? They are long. I used some 1/4" lexan I had laying around. I basically plated the entire underside of the armrest and the downside.

I only have two doors and it was left over leather a member had given me for free. you don't need much at all. if your ordering it online I'd get at least (2) 24" x 24" and you should have enough for 2 front arm wrests and a mistake cut or two.