Armrest covering

By the time I decided I might give the Bartlett leather seat covers a go, they were no longer available for that $150 - $175 price that you guys paid. That's OK though ... I don't think I had the knowledge, skills and patience to put them on myself. But I did enjoy watching you guys suffer.

The sheepskins are great. I believe ShearComfort.com sells the same ones I have for $250 for both front seats. They fit very well even though they're not truly "custom". They're 100%, 1" high, dense, Australian Merino wool so they're supremely comfortable. And at $250 for both front seats (I got mine for $125 from a PriusChatter who had used them for only 3 weeks before he installed Volvo seats in his Prius), they're relatively inexpensive. We discussed them here: http://priuschat.com/forums/gen-iii...odifications/70266-sheepskin-seat-covers.html

 

I suspect a company in Oklahoma City bought out the remaining stock, because they're selling them on Ebay for $349 (the pictures are identical to the Bartlett kit). That's still not a bad price. You really should have jumped in - it was real, but not real fun!

Thanks for the info on the sheepskins!

 

I need to replace the center consule covering. I see the 6 screws you refered to in your PDF but what are the CLIPS you are refering to

 

Re: Armrest removal, replacement and upgrade

Excellent write-up, I appreciate how every detail was covered.

I just began this job on my 2007/102k car, and wanted to add a labor saving suggestion of my own.

In photos: I bought a 2' x 2' piece of scrap leather on ebay. I thought it would be too dark, but it's nearly a perfect match to the existing, worn out fabric.

My suggestion: I used 3M weatherstripping cement, available at auto parts or auto body supply stores, rather than super glue. It's basically like contact cement that you can buy at any hardware store, but a bit better with plastic. See first photo.

The big advantage is that you apply this cement to both mated surfaces , then LET IT DRY, so no clamps (or as the OP used, clothespins) are needed. This way it allows you to stretch the material as you go along. Also, it allows you to pull it off, and refit it to some degree.

The cement made a very strong bond. You can fit the two pieces together while the cement is still wet so one piece marks the other.

In the next photos, you can see the leather trimmed, and then the piece fitted back in place.. What looks like a fold in the leather on top is just a part of the leather's texture.

I have only done the passenger side, and it was not a tough job at all, thanks to our OP!!:cheer2:

 

Thank for the great info. i was just thinking about doing this so you have saved me some time

 

I completed this job today, doing the driver's side and central armrest. The rear armrests are unworn, so I'll leave them.

There are six screws that you remove to take off the central armrest, two near the front clip, and four that connect it to the two hinges toward the rear of the car. Once you take these screws out, the two halves of the piece should come apart, leaving you with the shell, which you will re-cover, and the inner baffle, which clips into it, holds the material in position and accepts the screws for pass-through to the shell. The hinges fit in between the two pieces.

There are six molded-in tabs that allow the two pieces to press and snap back together. See photos.

I took a close up of the front clip button to show the two screws in the button that you should also remove, using a slender screwdriver, in order to get a neater job. Re-install after material is glued on, and trim material as needed.

Another photo shows that I started the bonding along one of the long edges. Then I stretched the leather a little and marked it, then cut it to fit into the many recesses and tabs on the opposite side. It fits into the tabs so neatly that it's as if Toyota intened this job to be done! Also see photo of cement (the yellow stuff) applied to the front edge. After the cement dries, stretch it tightly and push out the wrinkles as you go with your fingers, using as much pressure as needed. Final photo shows the front edge of the piece, installed.

I'm very pleased with the results. It makes just a little part of the car like a Lexus!

I have just enough scraps to wrap the steering wheel. Saving them for another day ...

 

What a great, detailed write up! ThANK YOU!!!

DBCassidy

 

This is mine. wrapped with 3M carbon fiber vinyl.
not so bad, right?
click on my signature links. I applied a lots of parts by using the 3M vinyl.

 

this is a sweeeet post. Just what i need to do

 

Great write up. I'm doing this when I install my I interior. Can you term me how well that weatherstrip adhesive worked? Good bond? Any recommendations on what glue? I was going to buy 3m spray adhesive, the industrial stuff and spray the whole thing. That way there's no way it could come off

 

3m spray adhesive is good stuff. I used it on the wife's console lid, looks pretty good.

 

Thanks a lot loupitou06. It is a great post. I put fabric covers on mine, but knew I needed to fit them better under the plastic arm rests, and you have shown me how to do it. Thank you.

 

Hi - Is it possible to have this file re-posted because the link to the file no longer appears to be available. This guide sounds like a great reference, and I would like to leverage it for my 2004 Prius. Thank you!

 

I just ordered Neoprene (wetsuit material) I will post up pics of the completed project, I have done several re-upholstery projects and the set of instructions provided by: loupitou06 will be very helpful.

 

Here is an example of the center console re-upholstered. I need to post more to link pics.

 

That's weird I posted one in my first post.

 

The only thing I did different was to use a self-piercing Lath Screw. They are only 1/2" and have a sharp point with a large flat head eliminating the washer or need to cut the screws.

 

Here is an example (I am aloud to post pics now