Upholstering the armrest

['89AccordLX(Rus)]

Hello everyone!

This is a question to anyone familiar with interior upholstery. I'm reupholstering an armrest from a SEi and need to know how to attach the new material to the plastic frame. The original was stapled to the frame, and I've found the same size staples already. Unfortunately, I can't use my staplegun to drive them in since they go in about 2-3mm at most instead of all the way in like factory staples did. How can the material be stapled down? Thanks in advance for any advice!

[ghettogeddy]

we dident staple we just pulled real tight and put the plastic peice back over the on top of the fabric u might want to add some cotton battign while your in there just to fill gaps and make it more comfy

['89AccordLX(Rus)]

I can't just sandwhich the material in place because I'm using simulated leather, which needs to be stretched pretty tightly over the foam piece. I'll try using my air-powered staple gun. 60-80psi should be enough to drive those staples in. :)

[MessyHonda]

I can't just sandwhich the material in place because I'm using simulated leather, which needs to be stretched pretty tightly over the foam piece. I'll try using my air-powered staple gun. 60-80psi should be enough to drive those staples in. :)

get some glue....my door panel material was coming off and i used some Gorrilla glue and a heat gun to cure it fast....the door panels had staples also but the glue was the fastest way to fix it.

[ghettogeddy]

I can't just sandwhich the material in place because I'm using simulated leather, which needs to be stretched pretty tightly over the foam piece. I'll try using my air-powered staple gun. 60-80psi should be enough to drive those staples in. :)
so your usiong vinel i wouldent stretch it if i wereu it will rip easy im using a microfiber so it stretch ok and i just used the screws that hold the bottom peice on its stayed fine for the last like 5 months

['89AccordLX(Rus)]

I don't intend to stretch it a lot, But It needs to be tightened down. Glue is out of the question because it won't cure well unless I somehow manage to clamp material down all the way around the perimeter of the frame. The vinyl doesn't stretch much, as ghettogeddy pointed out, but in my case it doesn't need to since the original cover was replicated exactly. Fits like a glove for the most part. :)

[guaynabo89]

air powered staple gun for the staples. thats the only way the will get driven into that hard plastic

[Xtreemjedi]

Just take it to an upholstery place. If you have the material, it won't take them too long to put it on, and it wouldn't cost that much either. Go look at my car at cardomain and see my leather armrest.:cool:

[REn0]

I just used a regular staple gun, and drove them in on an angle, and if they arent in far, they will serve to hold the fabric while you put the bottom back on.
http://img174.imageshack.us/img174/1467/1000387je3.th.jpg (http://img174.imageshack.us/my.php?image=1000387je3.jpg)
http://img165.imageshack.us/img165/4933/1000388ai5.th.jpg (http://img165.imageshack.us/my.php?image=1000388ai5.jpg)

[MessyHonda]

looks good...i guess i will have to redue my cloth one with some leather or something. i was thinking some high strength glue...but i might find out if any of my buddies have a staple gun

[ghettogeddy]

see my dad did mine in 3 peices like the stock one
http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b397/ghettogeddy/DSCF1074.jpg

[lostforawhile]

you need to use upholstery glue,it's a special contact cement made to handle the extremes inside your car. the heat and cold in other words. you coat the foam piece with it,then you coat the leather piece with it. once it dries and you press it together,it's bonded instantly. the trick is to let the glue dry seperatly on both pieces then press them together. thats how it works. you start by bonding it on one edge then stretch the material and press it down. once it contacts the foam,it's stuck. then put the plast piece with the screws in at the bottom. to do my entire interior including redoing the headliner several times,just wan't happy with the look, I used almost five gallons of Conbond. use that or use delta upholstery glue. just be careful that stuff can really mess you up bad,especially the conbond.
http://memimage.cardomain.net/member_images/10/web/2050000-2050999/2050019_208_full.jpg
http://memimage.cardomain.net/member_images/10/web/2050000-2050999/2050019_211_full.jpg

[REn0]

ghetto, thats nice man, i thought of it too, but it was my first time working with something like this...took the easy route:squint: