Re-Trimming armrest in Leather

[Sootchucker]

Bit of a weird one, but after cleaning the car this weekend, I noticed for the umpteenth time that my centre armrest (which is the standard cloth), had once again been covered in white flecks of skin (I know, it's sounds gross),  and required cleaning again. The reason is that 9 times out of 10, I wear short sleeve shirts in the car, and very rarely a jacket, and I think I must have dry skin.

Anyway, enough of my medical conditions, I've been thinking for a while now of having it retrimmed in leather making maintenance that much easier. I've seen a few "kits" on EBay which are effectively just leather covers, and it's up to you to remove the old cloth version and re-trim yourself, but I know I would make a mess of this. I'm therefore looking to see if this is something a professional re-trimmer would undertake for reasonable money ?

Anyone ever looked into this or have any suggestions for a recommended company in Cheshire ?

[mcmaddy]

Will it not be cheaper to coat the armrest in a protective coating? I've got something on my seats and carpets that my detailer used and it stops marks and water stains.

[Sootchucker]

Hmmm, never thought of that. How effective is the coating and what was it please ?

[GTD1414]

When you spec Vienna leather on a GTI/D/R does the armrest come in leather?

It might be easier to get a cost from a dealer to get a new armrest in leather? My last A3 had leather armrest and the clip broke, they had to replace the whole armrest under warranty.

[kevinm]

Andrew you could also fit the armrest for cars with the half leather/alancantara interior.

[GrahamFR]

Hmmm, never thought of that. How effective is the coating and what was it please ?

Some suggestions of protection here http://www.golfgtiforum.co.uk/index.php?topic=275060.0

[mcmaddy]

I think it's a Gtechniq product but it works a treat. Father in law decided to open his flask as we driving along the road and spilt some on the rear seat and floor. No stain or marks at all.

[Exonian]

All R's come with a plastic leather armrest cover and the stitching looks to be the same colour on the GTD & R so that's another (possibly expensive) option.

[Sootchucker]

Thanks chaps. I'll look into the G-Techniq.

I think I would like it in leather really though. I checked with a dealer on Saturday, and for just the armrest (not the complete centre console), they wanted over £270 (it had better be real leather for that price, from a cow raised on only the purest grass on a Swiss hillside, and sung lullabies to sleep !)

I'll keep my eye on German eBay as few come up on there now and again.

[JoeGTI]

I have the "leather" one in my GTI as I have the half alcantara / leather option. I don't think it's real leather tbh. As far as I know the only real leather in the car is the steering wheel!