Ti Armrest options

[BlackBMWs]

Is that a stock piece?

Nice job! Can I send you mine to alter the same way?

How did you alter the lower piece to accept the upper piece? Pics?

[Mic10is]

Originally Posted by BlackBMWs

Is that a stock piece?

Nice job! Can I send you mine to alter the same way?

How did you alter the lower piece to accept the upper piece? Pics?

I didnt alter the lower piece at all.
There was no need to at all.

The OEM cubbyhole piece w cupholders pushes right in. It leaves a gap on the front bottom sides, that you can see in the 1st set of pics I originally posted when I 1st installed it
That gap bothered me.

so I simply cut some ABS plastic to fill in the gaps. used superglue gel to hold it in place.
Then I used the front part of the OEM cubbyhole, that has the slant forward That I had previous cut off and I glued that in place at the front bottom.

from there, I scuffed everything up with some 40grit sand paper so fiberglass would stick to it.made some small holes and cuts where i needed to fiberglass, so it created an anchor when the resin seeped through the holes.

2 layers of 1.5oz fiberglass matting on the front side. some on the sides.
Plastic epoxy on the back part of the sides to insure they never moved.

then used body filler to fill it all in, sand it down smooth to 400 grit.

Then originally I tried to use some Rustoleum texture paint bc it had a really fine texture but it wasnt enough for me.
So i recoated it w Duplicolor bedliner spray and sprayed it from 3 feet away so I got a really fine texture.
once that dried, I used some Duplicolor Trim Paint to get the back color to match the rest of the interior.

[pi4ovete_84]

I recently purchased leatherz armrest. Looks good but it doesnt feel that good, its too low and I can barely touch it with my arm, even with the seat to the lowest level. The one on the picture looks higher.

[BlackBMWs]

Overall very nice job! It would be a great DIY if you had pictures of the process along the way. I'll work a similar bit I think, although I havent done any fiberglass work for lotsa years... Back in the day in high school, long ago.

On a different note, what type of adhesive did you end up using on the leather retrofit? I 'm thinking I need to shrink the leather piece I received and wondered if wetting it and placing in the dryer would shrink it at all. Easier to stretch it then shrink it.

Enjoy your great work!

Originally Posted by Mic10is

I didnt alter the lower piece at all.
There was no need to at all.

The OEM cubbyhole piece w cupholders pushes right in. It leaves a gap on the front bottom sides, that you can see in the 1st set of pics I originally posted when I 1st installed it
That gap bothered me.

so I simply cut some ABS plastic to fill in the gaps. used superglue gel to hold it in place.
Then I used the front part of the OEM cubbyhole, that has the slant forward That I had previous cut off and I glued that in place at the front bottom.

from there, I scuffed everything up with some 40grit sand paper so fiberglass would stick to it.made some small holes and cuts where i needed to fiberglass, so it created an anchor when the resin seeped through the holes.

2 layers of 1.5oz fiberglass matting on the front side. some on the sides.
Plastic epoxy on the back part of the sides to insure they never moved.

then used body filler to fill it all in, sand it down smooth to 400 grit.

Then originally I tried to use some Rustoleum texture paint bc it had a really fine texture but it wasnt enough for me.
So i recoated it w Duplicolor bedliner spray and sprayed it from 3 feet away so I got a really fine texture.
once that dried, I used some Duplicolor Trim Paint to get the back color to match the rest of the interior.

[Mic10is]

I havent used any adhesive yet bc I'll probably flush a remote control for the head unit in it like my other car. For that one I just used regular Wellwood Contact cement that I brushed on liberally to both piece.
Then Superglued the edges

[BlackBMWs]

Originally Posted by Mic10is

I havent used any adhesive yet bc I'll probably flush a remote control for the head unit in it like my other car. For that one I just used regular Wellwood Contact cement that I brushed on liberally to both piece.
Then Superglued the edges

Thanks! My kit came in yesterday so, it will go in this weekend. I realized the spare armrest I picked up for the ti is better than the one in my 325i, so I'll get two better armrests in the end. What do you think about wetting, then drying the new leather piece to get it to shrink a bit?

Thanks!

[Mic10is]

Originally Posted by BlackBMWs

Thanks! My kit came in yesterday so, it will go in this weekend. I realized the spare armrest I picked up for the ti is better than the one in my 325i, so I'll get two better armrests in the end. What do you think about wetting, then drying the new leather piece to get it to shrink a bit?

Thanks!

Ive never done it but thats an interesting idea...go for it ! Guinea pigs are always needed

[jca]

Originally Posted by pi4ovete_84

I recently purchased leatherz armrest. Looks good but it doesnt feel that good, its too low and I can barely touch it with my arm, even with the seat to the lowest level. The one on the picture looks higher.

Does the leatherz armrest have any padding?

[Uber E30]

Sorry forgot to toss these pictures up, excuse the poor quality and the door panel hanging. I just finished fixing the regulator I didnt shrink mine and it fit fine, you can pull alot of the slack under as it gets covered up by the "plate" on the bottom of the arm rest.

[BlackBMWs]

Originally Posted by Uber E30

Sorry forgot to toss these pictures up, excuse the poor quality and the door panel hanging. I just finished fixing the regulator I didnt shrink mine and it fit fine, you can pull alot of the slack under as it gets covered up by the "plate" on the bottom of the arm rest.

O.K. Thanks! I assume you removed the original leather, then installed the new piece.

[Uber E30]

Yep took the old one off

[BlackBMWs]

Thanks Mic10is and Uber E30. Completed my install today. Easy job to complete. Way more comfortable.




I wish I had it in-place when I drove the car back from Portland. 600 mi. Now I just need a custom fit cupholder made from the previous parts.

[basanis]

Thanks Rich and Mic10is for this post

[BlackBMWs]

Hi Srini! Did you move your armrest from the 95 TI to your 99 TI?


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[Disast3r_Ti]

I definitely need this