The padded arm rests of my computer chair are degrading, the leather face is flaking, the foam has crushed and lost it's memory. The rest of the chair is holding up well after a year, rather comfy and I spend a lotta time in it. Like to keep it around for a while.
Two countersunk screws fasten the padded arm rests to the frame from underneath, it appears I could reverse the arm rest padding front to rear to get some extra mileage outta them but only a matter of time till they wear out too.
So, looking for an alternative material to replace these with. I found some material at work, a pliable kind of rubber or dense polymer but unknown exactly what it is but it's not wide enough. I'd prefer a little cush factor and must be pliable to follow the contour of this steel frame. I'd wrap whatever material works w/ black vinyl, similar to headliner vinyl.
Dimensions of present arm rests are: 2-1/2" wide x 14" long x 1" thick.
Not my pic but it is the same chair in similar condition.
any idears?
TIA
mndsm
UltimaDork
12/10/13 8:38 a.m.
That PVE foam from the other thread? Small square of real memory foam? latex foam insert for a couch cushion?
Something maybe denser than Rubatex insulation.
mndsm wrote:
That PVE foam from the other thread? Small square of real memory foam? latex foam insert for a couch cushion?
this!
Or, maybe a pool noodle cut in half?
had to google pool noodle, lol
density oughta be good
Duct tape. Almost seriously. There are some pretty patterns and such at Walmart.
More seriously, go to the like of Joanne Fabric, get a bit of vinyl fabric to your liking. Unscrew the arm rest, remove the staples holding the vinyl cover. Cut and staple the new vinyl on. Really only takes a couple of minute to do. Run down the sides , then tuck and fold the ends like the bottom sheet on a bed.
Roll bar padding is just about the right density w/ memory but needs to be flat.
Been Googling some more... anybody familiar w/ 3/4" rubber gym floor mats? looks to be like an expanded rubber, not exactly solid.
FT: The old foam cushion is compressed beyond reuse. I have a roll of black vinyl from the fabric store I'll prolly use to re-cover the new cushions like you said.
I'm using black duct tape to patch up a vinyl steering wheel cover and as a replacement keyboard wrist rest...works great.
maybe glue one of those gel filled mouse wrist rest to the arm, and then cover it with the fabric?
Keyboard wrist pad may be the right size. We trip over those things at work.
Get out the Yellow Pages and find a local upholstery shop or foam supply store. They'll probably be able to sell you a few scraps of something suitable for cheap.
Joan Fabric sells foam padding as well. You can also carefully fold up some paper towels quite effectively.
I redid my desk chair with a $3.00 camping sleeping pad from Wal-Mart 10 years ago. Carefully removed cover, cut out all the too-soft foam, installed a few layers of sleeping pad with spray adhesive to hold them together, reinstalled cover.
Super comfy and worked great. You can laminate several sheets with spray adhesive or contact cement and trim with a fine serrated knife like a steak knife or hacksaw blade.
