[jermaine151]

Hello All. I've lurked here for a while but never really needed to post. Friday I traded in my '05 EX-L coupe for an '09 EX-L coupe and decided that it's time to register for this site.

Anyways, my car had the issue with the console having a tear in it, that I've read is common due to the cheap material. I thought that it would be an easy fix so I went to eBay to look for a new lid. I thought I had found a great deal on one for $25, so I ordered. I must've read the listing 10 times before I realized that I had just ordered a piece of leather only. :thumbsdow Oh well.... I had to learn to upholster and it least it would have real leather instead of that crap that Honda shipped the car with. Here's a basic overview of the process.

Here is a before picture of my rip:

Pre-stitched leather (AWESOME QUALITY LEATHER!): http://www.ebay.com/itm/170901778407?ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1497.l2649

Tools:
Staple gun
Phillips head screwdriver
Flat head screwdriver
Needle nose pliers
Hair dryer or heat gun

The first step was to extend the console lid all the way forward, open it and remove the 7 phillips head screws circled in red:

Once they're removed the lid cover should come right off and it looks like this underneath:

Then I used a flat head screwdriver and needle nose pliers, to remove all of the staples (A FREAKING LOT OF STAPLES!!!)

Once I pulled them all I was left with the plastic shell with the factory foam still adhered to it.

Next I took my new, $25 piece of leather and began stapling it to the plastic. I started by lining up the middle of the front and stapling it. Then the middle of the back, then the corners then the rest. A blow dryer really helped to make the leather more pliable. It seemed like it would be impossible for me to get it to fit since there wasn't much excess material, but with patience it worked.

Then I was ready to reverse the removal process and re-install. I still need to do more trimming and adjusting underneath but you get the point.

After:

 

[needforaccord]

After:

It looks great. Quick question: Why does the leather armrest look wet and why are the seatbelt release buttons green in the last photo?

 

[jermaine151]

It looks great. Quick question: Why does the leather armrest look wet and why are the seatbelt release buttons green in the last photo?

Thanks! I ArmorAll'd the armrest after installing it and quickly took the pic. It was dark when I finished and took the "after" pic, so the flash on my phone made everything look light gray. I edited it in Photoshop and lowered the saturation, brightness, etc and that turned the seatbelt button green.

Edit: I didn't realize how weird that picture looked. LOL. I just took 2 new after photos, with a little daylight left and removed that one. Thanks for pointing it out!

 

[STL 6-6]

Good write up, mine hasn't ripped yet but I have a feeling it will eventually.


I'm also assuming the piece of leather you ordered was more or less an exact fit correct?

 

[jermaine151]

Good write up, mine hasn't ripped yet but I have a feeling it will eventually.


I'm also assuming the piece of leather you ordered was more or less an exact fit correct?

Thank you. Yes, it was an exact fit.

 

[devonmendelsohn]

You just need to staple into the plastic? It doesnt look like all of the staples went in

 

[jermaine151]

You just need to staple into the plastic? It doesnt look like all of the staples went in

Yes, and you're right, some just barely went in. I tapped them in a little with a hammer.

 

[AceSpeed]

The dreaded cheap armrest cover!!!
Honda should have really stepped it up here. Here you have a really nice interior design, and wait your armrest is tearing up yikes!
Yeah, I know that feeling. I searched online for that wrap, found acouple of dealers that offered really nice pre cut armrest layouts. for $40 buxs I think.. Anywho, I thought about visiting an upholstery shop. They quoted me about $100 buxs. Which isn't bad when you consider the manual labor and material. Plus, its pretty much like a custom job. and they warranty there craftsmanship.
I would recommend to shop around. Plus its a good way to start connections if your gonna be wanting to sup up ur ride!
Just my dos centavos, peace!

Don't forget about the stitching. Lol you want to make sure it matches the seats..

 

[pacapaca]

Looking good! However, for others attempting this DIY, I would suggest looking into glue as opposed to staples (I tried staples at first but it was a pain to get them to sink in properly). I used a loctite spray on glue at first and eventually just switched to regular old super glue.

But wow did Honda cheap out on the oem cover...

 

[camrtm3]

So I am not a fan of resurrecting older threads. And I know and can see that this subject has had the life beaten out of it. However in my search today I found there is a CF one out there now. Curious anyone had dealt with this. I am not a fan of fabric but looking for input.

 

[August59]

Old Thread, but where is everyone getting their new pieces of leather. It doesn't appear that Honda will sell just the leather, but then again it's not worth a crap. I'm driving a 2009 Accord.

 

[boring 08 EX]

Redlinegoods.com they do offer leather that could pass for stock, but with alll the better options they have available why would you? I replaced my armrest with a grey alcantara/black alcantara two tone with electric blue quad stitching (the blue matches the Crosstour cluster) Then I replaced the shift boot with grey alcantara, same stitching. Redlines stuff is first rate!

 

[11601]

If they had used leather instead of vinyl the armrest wouldn't be a problem. :/ I'm probably going to take mine to a car upholstery shop to get something custom done.

 

[VFR4Lee]

Pics are gone, but this is an easy thing to fix.
No tearing the engine apart here. :laugh

 

[slimm1469]

I bought mine at a dealer for $15, genuine Honda part, had a trim shop install it for $35.