Need help with repairing seat foam

[Trucknut57]

I just finished cleaning, repairing and re-painting a 69-70 bench seat. That was the easy part. Now I need to repair the seat foam.
Since the original seat foam is in really good shape, I just need to fix a small section of the drivers side. Unfortunately I have no idea how, I've never repaired foam products.

Can anyone point me in the right direction ? What type of foam do/should I use etc...


And one other question, what is this tag on the spring? Part number?

I've done a motorcycle seat before by cutting out/squaring up the damaged areas and cutting filler pieces to fit. I used a spray adhesive. Then glued a piece of fabric, I think it was cotton from a drop cloth, over the whole seat which really helps to hold it together and smooth over the repaired areas. With the seat cover on there you'll never know.

This was on a 74 Honda, it's still good a few years later.

Oh, and I used a fresh olfa blade to carve off any high spots

[SkidmoreGarage]

You can take a look at my build thread for what I did on mine. If you have it in your budget, you could buy a replacement seat foam. It's not that easy to repair and blend the old foam, especially when you sit on it.

Whatever you decide to do, just know that you won't want to redo it. Do it in such a way as to make yourself happy.

[Trucknut57]

Thanks guys for the ideas.

But I still need to know what type of foam to get? I don't want it to soft but I also don't want to be sitting on a brick.

Originally Posted by Trucknut57

Thanks guys for the ideas.

But I still need to know what type of foam to get? I don't want it to soft but I also don't want to be sitting on a brick.

I salvaged foam from another seat that had a wrecked frame.. so not sure what type it is

[68Gold/white]

If that part of the seat has coil springs under it, it uses a thin foam. If no coils, it’s a thick foam. I am NO expert though.
Wait for some more replies.
Even if you get the correct type of foam, you don’t know how firm of soft IT will be, until you get it.

[HO455]

Hopefully GrumpyOldMan will chime in with information to help you. He's the expert on all things upholstery. If not you could try sending a PM.

[Grumpy old man]

Your close enough to Tulsa to just drop it off at one of the auto upholstery shops and get an estimate to have them install your cover and fix the foam for about the same money and a whole lot less time than gathering all the supplies needed to do it yourself .

Post a picture of the cover your going to use .





https://www.google.com/search?q=tuls...fi=hd:;si:;mv:[[36.2242921,-95.85789229999999],[36.0606988,-95.9833268]]

[da.slyboy]

From other DIY seat repair I've done in the past, for that kind of damage I've laid down a thin layer of polyester pillow fill over the divots in the foam, sprayed with adhesive, then strapped it down smooth with good duct tape. This helps smooth out the shape. To finish I added a layer of 1/2" (can be smaller or bigger) "support form" over the entire seat that I found at Joann fabrics. Pumps up the used seat a little bit and smooths out everything.

[Davidf]

That damage does not look too bad. I would just buy thin pieces of foam (1/4" thick or so) and cut, taper, and spray glue the foam in strategically until you have the bench leveled out. Use an air angle grinder to shape.

If you want to replace a larger section, cut it out in a block shape, take the removed piece to an upholstery supply house and get the same density foam (or as close as you can determine from their samples). Here is where it can get expensive as some supply houses require you to buy an entire large piece of foam when you on need a little. You can double up the thickness, if necessary, so don't worry about how thick the new pieces is. I was lucky and the supply house gave me a sample piece of foam free as I did not need much. Just the edge of my cushion was chewed up.

Good luck. I would simply fix what you have.

[Trucknut57]

Thanks for the replies everyone.

I haven't decided the type of cover yet, not sure if I'm going to use an all vinyl cover, one of the houndstooth covers or see if my mother in law will make me one. Either way I would like to use the foam I already have since it's not all bad, just needs a bit of minor repair.

I have replaced seat covers before in my Camaro and the 57 but that seat foam was in great condition, so I didn't have to repair anything.

I've already got hog ring pliers and the rings, just looking for some tips and maybe a suggestion or two on which types of foam would be the best to use in an automotive application.

Thanks.

[Carl Spangler]

Check out classicindustries, they have partial and complete seat foam replacements.

[Trucknut57]

I think I found what I needed.

I did a search on the site before I posted the question but didn't find what I thought I needed for a reference. Low and behold a search of the internet LED me straight back to this site BUT it lead me to this thread

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=677940

That helped me find this thread

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...=456911&page=9

So with both of these threads, I am now armed with enough information to be dangerous and attempt to repair the seat foam.

Thanks everyone.

[Trucknut57]

Well I "think" I fixed it, time will tell

[dagnabbitt]

Originally Posted by Trucknut57

Well I "think" I fixed it, time will tell

I've been wondering how this held up and if you are happy with it. Looks like a pretty slick repair.

[Trucknut57]

Originally Posted by dagnabbitt

I've been wondering how this held up and if you are happy with it. Looks like a pretty slick repair.

I repaired the foam but haven't put the cover on it yet. Still trying to decide on which cover I'm going to use.

Plus I'm still a few years away from actually testing it out. Still in the rust repair mode

[68Gold/white]

Originally Posted by Trucknut57

Well I "think" I fixed it, time will tell

LOL, your rear end will give you the answer.......

[tommy3horse]

My seat was like yours, i bought some 3” high density foam. I then used a simple cross cut hand saw and removed about 2” across the seat to the middle. I then used rubber cement and glued-in the piece. Then used a grinder/sander to shape it. About $30 for the foam and glue. Worked perfect. Wish I had taken pics….
Tom

[Trucknut57]

Tommy3horse,

Pretty much what I did.

Went to Joanne Fabrics, got some seat foam, came home cut out the old, fit the new and used some of that spray 3m 90 super adhesive.

Trimmed it up, sanded it down and now just waiting for the cover.