The story is I bought the seats and armrest from 98-0204, which has been totaled for about a year. For a 9 year old interior, the seats are in decent shape, but the armrest took a real beating. The Alcantara is really worn to almost a smooth vinyl finish and the stitching is dirty, no longer bright red. I'd like to keep 98-0204 preserved, or at least a part of it by restoring the armrest.

I didn't feel like dishing out $140 plus FedEx 2-day shipping to Hawaii . The FedEx shipping would be very expensive. Also, a lot of used armrest pads still have some wear to them and didn't want to go that route either. I took a gamble and bought an aftermarket armrest cover from 'lightningautocustoms' off eBay. They specialize in custom armrest covers, shift boots, and ebrake boots.

Lightning Auto Custom's eBay Store or Lightning Auto Custom's Website

The base armrest cover is $34.99 plus shipping and is made out of ultrasuede. Since I liked to keep the armrest close to original as possible, they had an Alcantara upgrade for $35 more. Great customer service by the way.

Here is a picture of the worn armrest cover:



Here is a picture of the armrest cover by LAC:



Here is a picture of the new armrest cover installed:



Pros:
- Cheaper than OEM by approx. 40-45%
- Nice to have a brand new Alcantara armrest cover
- Fits pretty good
- The package the cover came in included a pen and keychain bottle opener

Cons:
- The red stitching thread is thinner and stitched more numerous than the OEM cover


Overall, this was a good purchase. This could be a solution to some ITR owners who wish not to spend lots of $$$ to restore a part of 97-xxx, 98-xxx, 99-xxx (for you Canadians), 00-xxx, or 01-xxx. If I get too picky about the stitching, I'll spend the cash if I have it at the time

 

Looks cool and like you said if you get too picky later just get the one OEM one. The OG one was not that bad either. Mine is also kind of getting ugly and the stitch getting light, I dont even put my elbow or forearm on it. My aunt works at a place that sells some type of faux suede it think its called durasuede I think I'll get a piece of that and take to to a kick *** upholstery shop and have them make me a new armrest with the same stitch pattern and thickness.

 

Nice write up.
Was it difficult at all getting the new cover on without creases or wrinkles?

 

Looks pretty good, nice find.

 

Mine needs some lovin' pretty badly.

 

How does the badge reattach? That looks pretty good btw.

 

wow sweeeeeeeeeet!

 

or you can do these

http://www.team-integra.net/se...=1218

tried it on my Recaro's....I was able to restore/renew my seats. no more wear marks

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by get RIGHT &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Nice write up.
Was it difficult at all getting the new cover on without creases or wrinkles?</TD></TR></TABLE>

Not really. Just had to stretch. The edges attach to inside the armrest using double sided tape. So stretch then stick. The cover was made really well.


<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Utilitarian &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">How does the badge reattach? That looks pretty good btw. </TD></TR></TABLE>

You have to take off this flat nut looking things off the pegs of the badge. I tried prying them out first with a flathead, but found it easier to twist them off.


<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by betsuni &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">or you can do these

http://www.team-integra.net/se...=1218

tried it on my Recaro's....I was able to restore/renew my seats. no more wear marks </TD></TR></TABLE>

The cover is far beyond repair, but I still have it.

 

Do you need to remove the oem fabric to install this cover or does it go right over the oem cover ?? Looks good for the price.

 

that thing fades it was nice and black for 4 months, its grey now

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by iperez &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Do you need to remove the oem fabric to install this cover or does it go right over the oem cover ?? Looks good for the price.</TD></TR></TABLE>

I removed the OEM fabric. I don't think it would fit right if you left the OEM fabric in. It would be too thick.

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by g1itchgsr &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">that thing fades it was nice and black for 4 months, its grey now </TD></TR></TABLE>

Did you buy the ultrasuede one? I special ordered Alcantara.

 

Umm...i think i bought the ultrasuede one. But i ended up buying a new armrest from Acura