How to repair cracked vinyl armrest.

Inexpensive way to repair a Chevy Astro armrest. All you need is vinyl from fabric store, 3M adhesive, and latex/silicone caulking.

[lindseyh]

I was looking for a solution to fix my cracked vinyl without a specific vehicle in mind but funny enough the most helpful video I find is actually on the van I have haha. This must be a common issue with these things

[raiderman]

You can also use a heat gun to heat the side where you made a seam.  if you heat up the vinyl, you can pull on it and stretch it so you have no seam.  you heat and pull that corner till it molds and you don't have to cut the vinyl and have no seam.  just a tip.  pretty good vid

[ramonjr-ca]

This is what I needed to see to fix my damaged door panel. Thank you

[mistereasy]

Thanks!! very pleasant on the eyes and ears!  You're talented.

[PawPrintBx]

I have a 2000 GMC Safari van with the cracked arm rest. I am going to try your method. I have had a temporary fix by taping down a pair of vinyl but as the tape has gotten old, it is coming up. I need to try something else and I will try yours. Turned out great in your video so fingers crossed !

[Adam-nrct]

I always have admiration for people that make-do or try to make things last (lol....Astro vans discontinued in 2005). We are a society of high disposal and waste and it's arrogant at times. Having said that, I do believe on this particular application, I'd have hopped on the web and ordered a new (or used) armrest for $20.00.  Sometimes you just gotta do it.  I'm thinking that a few good bakes in the sun and that piece of vinyl will be on the floor.  Still gotta appreciate the guy's heart!

[abetraven]

DUDE! Thank you for this video! Just what I needed. I love the internet

[shannonleeann]

Good job sir, thanks for showing that. I was not sure what do with my doors and that would be perfect.

[woodsrider]

Thanks.. I just bought an astro.. it has some hand rest problems.. I have to find a section that fixes some foam that is damaged too.. but thanks for what you've shown!!!

[spiffcats]

Never had this problem on our astro, but if i do, pretty cool fix.

[Luke-bxxm]

I'm trying to repair an armrest on a car, and need to know the best way of leveling it off before applying the new vinyl? Would like for it to be solid, strong, and sturdy. Some of the foam is missing from underneath the crack and it is concaved. What would be a good product to fill this with?

[davejohnson]

Blue painter's tape woks best, but looks good!

[myrthocharles]

I have a leather repair company , and that's a long way to do a repair and it's not a magnificent job at all ! For instance all you had to do is clean it well sand the whole spot with 400 to 600 finishing sand paper, and use leather or viny compound smoothly on the scratches then sand it down again with 400 to 600 finishing sand paper and dye the color on it 3 times, use a hair dryer each time you dye it and seal it when you finish . My business website is I service PA , NJ , N.Y. .I did a lot of work for Bentley , porsch , BMW , Mercedes Benz , Lexus and more . Lisenced and insured.

[laserfalcon]

Chevy could just avoided all this by having the arm rest removable so could be replaced.

[OraleIggy]

Thanks. I have an 87 pickup i need to do

[cravan]

That's recovered. Not, repaired. Neat job.

[MrBluoct]

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Thanks.


so many times these types of item / issues are compared to a half dozen toyotas with perfect arm rests after 250, 000 miles

poor design

even poorer materials in a known high use area

and a van that had enough manufactured years to respond to feed back and correct..

but instead, GM headed to capital hill with hat in hand seeking millions in financial relief...

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and now about the pot metal door handles :0

. ..a door handle- an item used EACH time the van is used and attached to a heavy door

knowingly and willingly used cheap materials

and owners change out multiple times

boggles the mind....

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"like a "pebble"
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[bigredbomber]

what a waste of time go to the wreckers and a cheap armrest just saved 2 hours