How to: Replace Ford Explorer Armrest / Center Console Leather Cover

When I bought my 2017 Ford Explorer Platinum, the first thing I noticed was the heavily scratched center console lid. It seemed like the previous owner might have had a pet wolverine. The picture above doesn’t fully capture the extent of the scratches due to the glare. So, one of my top priorities was to replace the center armrest cover to give the interior a fresh, new-car feel. I was delighted to find that replacement covers were available on Amazon. This project was straightforward and made a tremendous difference in the appearance and feel of the interior. Here’s how I replaced the center console cover:

What I used:

• Replacement center console lid armrest cover
• Trim removal tool
• T20 screwdriver
• Philips screwdriver
• Flathead screwdriver
• Pliers
• Heavy duty stapler gun
• Heat Gun (a hair dryer would also work)

Step 1. Removing the center console lid

I inserted the trim removal tool between the leather and the plastic piece to disengage the clips. The arrows in the image indicate where I inserted the trim tool.

After prying off the plastic piece, I removed the hinge using a T20 screwdriver.

Step 2. Removing the previous cover

This step requires time and patience, as you’ll need to remove all the staples holding down the leather cover. I used a flathead screwdriver to pry out one staple leg first and then used pliers to pull out the rest. The process was somewhat therapeutic.

Here’s what it looks like without the leather cover, in case you’re curious.

Step 3. Install the new cover

I fitted the new cover over the lid and found that it fit perfectly! There was a minor difference in the leather grain, but it didn’t bother me since I actually preferred the texture of the replacement. I’m pretty confident that my passengers won’t even notice the difference. I also opted for the black thread design because white threads tend to become yellow and dirty over time.

With the new cover in place, I used a heavy-duty staple gun to secure it to the console lid. I began by adding “starter staples” to hold the leather in place. During this process, I made sure to stretch the leather to achieve a snug fit. A helpful tip for stapling: I used a heat gun to warm up the plastic areas where I planned to staple. This softened the plastic, making a significant difference in stapling. Most heavy-duty staple guns struggle to penetrate thick plastic.

After securing the starter staples, I added more staples as needed. I also had to cut slits near the clip inserts to ensure the leather wouldn’t block the opening.

Here are a few more helpful tips:

• The leather cover from Amazon might have creases due to folding and packaging. To address this, I used a hair dryer to gently warm up the leather and massaged the creases. They gradually began to flatten out. There was still a very small crease, but I expect it to fade with time.
• Near the tip of the console lid, there was some overlapping leather. To resolve this, I simply cut slits and folded one side over the other, then stapled them in place.

Step 4. Reassemble everything

Now, it’s time to reassemble everything. Here’s the final result: 

Before and After:

 

The result is a significantly improved appearance and feel of the center console in my vehicle. This simple project made a tremendous difference in the overall look of my car’s interior, and I’m thrilled with the outcome.