rockstar143

iTrader: (6)

Ok, so ever since this service tech at the dealership told me he had had his armrest replaced because it was hard, it had me thinking.

I looked at mine, and sure enough it felt like I was resting my elbow on a hard piece of plastic and the leather had a somewhat deflated look to it. But dang, even at acuraoemparts it was over $160 shipped for a new one. Sorry, not the type of mod I could justify spending that kind of money on. So I decided not to.

I watch street customs and got inspired by ISH...lots of screws, then pried off the leather one tab at a time to reveal the cause of the problem. All the foam they put in there had totally corroded to the point of being nonexistent. NOTE: Do not do this mod without gloves and NOT on your girlfriends' favorite microfiber brown couch . The old glue under the leather is definitely messy.

Anyway, stopped at local fabric/crafts store and picked up a bag of polyster down batting for $4.99 . Used about 4 layers of it because I didn't want a bubble looking thing and I didn't want enough in there to form an elbow ridge where I rest my arm, I also didn't use hard shaped foam because I was afraid it too would deflate over time and also might produce sharp edges that you'd see through the leather.

I originally tried and just shove the polyfill in from the back end but because it's sticky in there and it doesn't lay flat, it looked like I was smuggling camel shit under the leather. Then pulled off and back all edges except the back like a banana thinking I would lay it down and pull the leather over. No go. best way was to lay down the foam on the table, lay the ugly side of the sticky thing down on it (minus leather altogether) and pull up the edges going around the plastic piece till you cut away all excess foam. Then place the leather upside down and lay the foam and plastic backing down on that and pull the tabs of the leather back over it. A little patience and a hot glue gun and voila, done deal.

Start at the long ends...glue one end in it's entirety, then pull taut and glue the other, then do the sides pulling nice and tight, toward center not to toward the sides, keep an eye on the seems of the stitching as well as make sure to pull tight any "bunching" of the leather. You will more than likely burn your fingers a little, but you'll live.
Good luck and ask me any questions you might have. I'm figuring you 06's back probably are encountering this.

J.

Also, CLtotheTL...check out those interior LED's!








Enjoy!
J.

guitarplayer16

iTrader: (8)

Nice, cheap, and simple DIY.

I don't even use the armrest because it's so far back behind the seat LOL

rockstar143

iTrader: (6)

I don't have a choice...I'm 6'1" and trust me, it's RIGHT THERE! lol.
But yeah, not a point in touching it if you don't even use it.

Roger555

iTrader: (3)

Woah you put alot in there! I actually re-foamed mine the other day too but with a firm closed cell foam (ensolite) I wanted it firm and a foam that wouldn't break down overtime like open cell urethane foam does. Its perfect for me not hard like the plastic you were putting it on before if yours was shot but nice and squishy firm.

rockstar143

iTrader: (6)

I hope mine doesn't break down. lol...well, I definitely put a lot in there, but I was able to pull the leather super tight so it actually just has a fuller shape than before and it's definitely much more comfy.

PS Roger, great minds think alike, no?!

CLtotheTL32

iTrader: (3)

Damn J nice work! I hate how hard my armrest is as well. Shit is annoying.

Plus those LED boards look great! I'm glad you were able to get them in okay. Did you get one for the trunk?

rockstar143

iTrader: (6)

Sure did...but it was too wide, so....I just stuck it ONTO the clear light diffuser. Perfect and I can actually see now!
I swear my visibility had dropped when I went LED, but not anymore!

PS...I know you are good at these mods...
DO IT.
Roger, any DIY pics? Any after pics, maybe give people some options on here!

images

iTrader: (2)

grab hold of the front of the armrest and pull forward, it slides out quite a bit.

if its still too far back, then i don't know what to tell ya

guitarplayer16

iTrader: (8)

I know it slides out a bit LOL, but I'm kinda annoyed by the fact that it's hovering and not in its "original" placement.

I think it's OCD or something.

Maybe I'm sitting too close to the wheel?

I notice the seatbelts in the front seats are always far behind the seats too.

images

iTrader: (2)

you're sitting pretty close but i dont like to lay down while i drive either so thats okay, about the hovering thing i had the same feeling when i first did it but if you look at how its built and put some pressure on it you'll see it isn't going anywhere, i usually just leave it pushed in because my elbow just catches it enough that way.

rockstar143

iTrader: (6)

I leave it pushed in cause you can't get to the center console latch while it's out...and i keep my work badge in there.
ALSO...anyone else hate that your coffee mug is in the way of the shifter!??! LOL.

Roger555

iTrader: (3)

Ya I took some pics I was planning on posting them at some point I'm literally working on like 5 projects at once switching around no time to upload! OK well heres a pic I just took that might explain it better. Most of my car is in the living room my complete LED conversion and sound deadening will be complete this weekend!



-Look like this is all I took I suck at documenting I get too involved


This was the Old foam

rockstar143

iTrader: (6)

Good work!
Dude...let's put it this way, mine was so broken down, there was literally nothing in there. NOTHING.
Looks good.
I'm surprised you've asked me for advice on any mods, you seem like you're lightyears ahead of me.

Roger555

iTrader: (3)

haha well this is my second project car so everything is much easier and I am way to comfortable taking about just about everything sometimes for my own good. You still gotta do the research first though!

rockstar143

iTrader: (6)

True that...I concur.
I am amazed at how much further along I am with the TL than I've been with ANY other car I've ever had. Meaning, I could get another, and rock and roll on modding immediately because I have a better idea of what is possible, what is cheap, and how to do things right.