Re-cushioning the flaccid armrest
#1
Quiet, Rika Neenja!
Thread Starter
Re-cushioning the flaccid armrest
Huh huh huh, flacid...
So I pulled this thing off, unscrewed the 400 screws, and pulled the leather off. it's all loose and limp and the cushioning is worn out. what should I replace it with? just foam? where could i find a thin layer of foam to put under this thing? it would need to be a quarter inch thick or so... this crap is sticky!!!
So I pulled this thing off, unscrewed the 400 screws, and pulled the leather off. it's all loose and limp and the cushioning is worn out. what should I replace it with? just foam? where could i find a thin layer of foam to put under this thing? it would need to be a quarter inch thick or so... this crap is sticky!!!
#5
Originally Posted by creastiy@sina.com
是啊。。。。。。。。。
Just get some foam from Walmart and you should be good.
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#10
Quiet, Rika Neenja!
Thread Starter
I had to put this project on hiatus for some memorial day drinking, but when I get back to it, what do you guys think I could use to clean the old sticky foam stuff off?
#15
WDP Director of R & D
Originally Posted by SRT-11
stay tuned for a DIY! coming later tonight!
Mine to looks, well, "flaccid" is a good description.... I never noticed it until after the warranty expired... I actually looked up ordering a new one yet was thinking their has to be a way of trying a repair myself or by upholstery shop etc..
I commend you on being the first!
Thanks and good luck
#16
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the foam doesn't have to be anything special since you're not actually sitting on it, but if you're a heavy leaner like ME when you drive, get a high density foam - 1.7 or higher is good. Memory foam is harder to come by and costs more, but it's an interesting concept.
I actually need to replace the Leather on mine...any suggestions? (i have parchment interior)
I actually need to replace the Leather on mine...any suggestions? (i have parchment interior)
#17
Quiet, Rika Neenja!
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#18
Suzuka Master
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Originally Posted by SRT-11
Dude, props to you. I need to does this to the armrest on my CLS-6. It is pancaked big time.
Excellant DIY!
#20
Suzuka Master
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I just did this re-cushioning procedure on my armrest and it came out great.
It cost me around $17:
3m Super 77 spray adhesive; $9.97 - Walmart
Poly-fil Nu-Foam 15"x17"x2"; $5.99 - Micheal's
The old black foam rubber on the top/sides of the armrest was reduced down to sticky goo and was a PIA to remove/clean up. I used the Nu-Foam instead of the regular foam rubber because it states on the packaging that it will not disintegrate over time. It has a fine fiberous consistency; however, it cushions like foam. Before removing the leather, I outlined the edges with a silver sharpie to have an idea as to where the edges would approximate upon reassembly. Used a piece of wax paper and placed it over the plastic armrest and cut out a one piece pattern to use when sizing the Nu-Foam. Ultimately, I had to reduce the thickness of the nu-foam to one inch because it was to hard to handle/fashion around the armrest and get the leather back on reasonably. Sprayed the armrest and nu-foam with a good layer of adhesive. Seated the nu-foam onto the armrest and let it dry for a few minutes. I chose to put the leather on the re-cushioned armrest first to get it evened out and fitted properly. Then when satisfied with the fit, I sprayed the adhesive on the edges of the armrest/leather and fit it to the previously marked edges. Initially, I was worried that the adhesive was not going to hold; however, it held remarkably well to complete the reassembly.
Sorry, no pictures, but it looks just like SRT-11's only in Parchment
It cost me around $17:
3m Super 77 spray adhesive; $9.97 - Walmart
Poly-fil Nu-Foam 15"x17"x2"; $5.99 - Micheal's
The old black foam rubber on the top/sides of the armrest was reduced down to sticky goo and was a PIA to remove/clean up. I used the Nu-Foam instead of the regular foam rubber because it states on the packaging that it will not disintegrate over time. It has a fine fiberous consistency; however, it cushions like foam. Before removing the leather, I outlined the edges with a silver sharpie to have an idea as to where the edges would approximate upon reassembly. Used a piece of wax paper and placed it over the plastic armrest and cut out a one piece pattern to use when sizing the Nu-Foam. Ultimately, I had to reduce the thickness of the nu-foam to one inch because it was to hard to handle/fashion around the armrest and get the leather back on reasonably. Sprayed the armrest and nu-foam with a good layer of adhesive. Seated the nu-foam onto the armrest and let it dry for a few minutes. I chose to put the leather on the re-cushioned armrest first to get it evened out and fitted properly. Then when satisfied with the fit, I sprayed the adhesive on the edges of the armrest/leather and fit it to the previously marked edges. Initially, I was worried that the adhesive was not going to hold; however, it held remarkably well to complete the reassembly.
Sorry, no pictures, but it looks just like SRT-11's only in Parchment
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9632tl (03-19-2013)
#23
Radical Member
Just got done doing mine. I used 1/2" high density foam from a craft store. I think it cost $2.50. And I used weatherstrip and emblem adhesive instead of spray stuff. That old foam is NASTY. The glue I used worked really well. I used chip clips to hold the leather in place for the 45 seconds it takes for the glue to stay.
It looks SO much better now.
This is with the foam glued on. Looks kinda gross, but once its covered, it looks fine
It looks SO much better now.
This is with the foam glued on. Looks kinda gross, but once its covered, it looks fine
Last edited by Steven Bell; 03-19-2013 at 09:27 PM. Reason: Merged Posts
#24
I just bought the CF cover from Ebay, the leather is going to get worn out anyway and instead of buying a new lid I just decided to go this route:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Acura-TL-Carbon-Fiber-Carbon-Kevlar-Hybrid-Console-Armrest-Lid-Cover-/330890647829?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&fits=Model%3ATL&hash=item4d0a9e9915&vxp=mtr
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Acura-TL-Carbon-Fiber-Carbon-Kevlar-Hybrid-Console-Armrest-Lid-Cover-/330890647829?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&fits=Model%3ATL&hash=item4d0a9e9915&vxp=mtr
#26
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Noel, let us know what the Carbon Fiber cover is like. It's tempting.....
#28
Race Director
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And uncomfortable as hell!
Don't you guys actually use the arm rest? Lol
Don't you guys actually use the arm rest? Lol
#30
Suzuka Master
Interested in the CF piece, update us when you install it
#31
Race Director
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After I redid mine a while ago I decided there is probably a better way.
Mine is all nice and fluffy. And when I rest my arm on it it is great. But I also like to put my elbow on it. And when you do that, your elbow goes straight through the new foam and hit's the plastic underneath.
My idea would be to use a thin layer of "gel" (shoe inserts?) or closed cell foam (yoga mat) then fill the rest in with the foam we've all been using.
That way you've got a soft layer and a stronger "cushy" layer...
Edit: You can also do this same 'mod' on the door armrests...
Just a thought.
Mine is all nice and fluffy. And when I rest my arm on it it is great. But I also like to put my elbow on it. And when you do that, your elbow goes straight through the new foam and hit's the plastic underneath.
My idea would be to use a thin layer of "gel" (shoe inserts?) or closed cell foam (yoga mat) then fill the rest in with the foam we've all been using.
That way you've got a soft layer and a stronger "cushy" layer...
Edit: You can also do this same 'mod' on the door armrests...
Just a thought.
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jblessing (03-21-2013)
#32
Senior Moderator
Actually a friend and myself did my son's center arm rest. It was flat like yours. Replace it with 1" foam I bought at Joann's Fabric. You can have it cut and only purchase what you need. It's green. Cut to fit and clue it in. It took about an hour to do the whole job and it looked great. I got the idea from
Gatrhumpy who also did the same job in his TL-S.
Gatrhumpy who also did the same job in his TL-S.
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Is it a hardshell cover? Is it as shiny as it is in the pictures?
I showed it to my wife (because I was considering purchasing one).....she didn't like it at all.
I showed it to my wife (because I was considering purchasing one).....she didn't like it at all.