After installing new seat covers in our ’65 convertible, we discovered that we had a mismatch with the original (and dried out) vinyl covers on the rear seat armrests. The solution was new vinyl. We had already painted the metal portion of the rear quarter trim.
Instead of messy fiberglass work to the rear panels, we simply bought new panels from a Mustang vendor. But alas, covering these fiberglass panels proved difficult and time consuming. Here’s how to do the job.
1. A previous owner had cut...
1. A previous owner had cut speaker holes into the original fiberglass rear seat armrests. The old vinyl was also brittle and discolored.
2. Most Mustang Monthly...
2. Most Mustang Monthly advertisers sell fiberglass reproductions of the original Mustang convertible rear quarter armrests. Buying a new armrest was much easier than repairing the old one.
3. The arm rests use a layer...
3. The arm rests use a layer of fabric underneath. We wanted to use the original fabric as a template, so we stripped off the old, brittle vinyl on one of the original arm rests. This job is easy using a flat putty knife.
4. Scrape off the old fabric,...
4. Scrape off the old fabric, taking care to keep the rather fragile material in one piece for a mold to make a copy.
5. Lay the old fabric onto...
5. Lay the old fabric onto the new fabric—we bought a square yard of wool at a local fabric store. Then, inscribe the outline of the template with a Sharpie and cut out the fabric using a sharp pair of scissors.
6. The top of the armrest...
6. The top of the armrest also has a small amount of fabric with an opening for the ashtray. Peel off the old fabric and use it as a template the cut out a new piece of wool.
7. Spray 3M Adhesive onto...
7. Spray 3M Adhesive onto the inset portion of the new armrests and also onto the wool.
8. Press the new fabric onto...
8. Press the new fabric onto the fiberglass armrest and trim the edges with a razor for fit.
9. Lay the new vinyl, which...
9. Lay the new vinyl, which comes cut to fit, over the fiberglass armrest. Four hands are better than two.
10. Clip the vinyl onto...
10. Clip the vinyl onto the fiberglass armrest with clothespins. We wound rubber bands around the clothespins to give them more tension for a firmer grip. Notice how the clothespins are very close together, about 45 total around the edges.
11. Cut the overlapping...
11. Cut the overlapping vinyl to fit with a razor blade.
12. Spray 3M Adhesive on...
12. Spray 3M Adhesive on the individual sections between the clothespins and press onto the fiberglass, making sure the vinyl is taut.
13. The fiberglass rear quarter...
13. The fiberglass rear quarter armrests attach to a metal piece that includes an opening for the window winding mechanisms. With a 1⁄8-inch bit, drill holes into the fiberglass using the openings in the metal panel as a template.
14. Continue gluing the individual...
14. Continue gluing the individual pieces of vinyl to the backside of the fiberglass panel and the armrest is completed, ready to install in the car.