1971 Mark III Arm Rest Repair

[stovebolt]

Howdy;
My drivers side armrest on my 71 Mark III has separated near the rear of the rest. It looks like the foam comprising the arm rest back there has split and then pulled away from the steel core. I see this on a lot of Mark IIIs and I'm wondering if anyone has tried to repair this failure?

The vinyl skin on mine is still in great shape, it simply has started pulling away from the inner core. Until/and if I can find a replacement I'm thinking I could glue the armrest back onto the steel core but that foam is pretty strong and I'm concerned it would simply pull away again. Gluing foam to steel doesn't sound like a recipe for success. Maybe Upholstery glue? Plastic epoxy? Not really sure what would work best.

Has anyone tried to repair their armrest before? With any success? Thoughts or suggestions? Aware of anyone that reproduces the armrest in original colors?

Thanks - Stovebolt

[LithiumCobalt]

I wish you luck. Almost all of these are delaminated to some degree. I’ve not seen any specific repairs that were successful, but doesn’t mean it can’t be done. You might pose your question on the Mark III Facebook group also and see if you get any hits.

[papawayne]

I think Dan uses super glue and baking soda, but my mind has passed away, mostly. Wayne

[stovebolt]

I tried 3M weather strip adhesive, the yellow stuff, ahd have clamped it together. I'll take the clamps off after 48 hours and see if anything holds. I'm hopeful, but not confident.

[BobCT]

I have the exact same issue. I was going to order the reproduction armrest/core from Mark II enterprises which solves the mounting part of my issue.

But, I have the front part of the foam separation as well.
Finding a good/complete door panel without the same issue seems impossible.


Bob

[Dan Szwarc]

Foam separation is what happens as the vinyl shrinks and the foam degrades. It’s unstoppable and requires extensive effort to repair or reproduce.

You know what rhymes with extensive? Expensive!

[Jberger501]

You might want to check with Just Dashes in Van Nuys, Ca. I know they’re known for dashboard pad and plastic restoration, and I’m sure they can do armrest pads too.

[1Bad55Chevy]

You might want to check with Just Dashes in Van Nuys, Ca. I know they’re known for dashboard pad and plastic restoration, and I’m sure they can do armrest pads too.

They are...... $$$$$$$$$$$$

[Dan Szwarc]

Sounds extensive!

[LithiumCobalt]

They are expensive, but if you want it done right, you gotta pony up.

[stovebolt]

I've been working on the plastic cores for a couple of days on my Mark III. I used 2 part epoxy to initially glue pieces together and then reinforced the weak points with 1/8 inch aluminum stock applied with rivets and the epoxy. I also epoxied steel washers over the points where the core mounts to the door. Both of my plastic cores were bad but I couldn't see spending $700 for something that, for the most part, isn't visible. Are they perfect? no, but nobody will ever know.

[1Bad55Chevy]

They are expensive, but if you want it done right, you gotta pony up.

If I remember correctly didn't you get a quote for a dash pad repair from them?

[LithiumCobalt]

They are expensive, but if you want it done right, you gotta pony up.

If I remember correctly didn't you get a quote for a dash pad repair from them?

Yeah, back when I had my ‘67 sedan. Was around $1,600 plus shipping. Probably far more now.

[TonyC]

I did the same thing Stovebolt did on his arm rests. I suppose I could spend $250 apiece on new arm-rest cores, but so far the patch-up with epoxy and metal has held up quite well, with only occasional need for follow-up repair. But, one day (maybe soon), I might shell out the $$$ for at least one core, for the driver's door, which has the most need of the four. Even if I do, I will likely reinforce the anchor points with bits of metal for good measure.

Of course, I realize I risk veering the thread a bit off, as my car is a '66 model.

---Tony