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Sun Jan 24, 2021 11:26 am

I'm going to be putting some TMI covers on a set of low backs, I'm looking for ideas of what foam others have used vs buying a kit. I absolutely won't be doing the horse hair or coconut because of the mess.
Any ideas or tutorials would be appreciated.

Sun Jan 24, 2021 12:02 pm

I replaced the seat pads in my '67 in 2005 and used the coconut fiber pads from WW. I placed a piece of burlap (actually an old horse feed bag) on the springs before I installed the pads. I have never had an issue with them coming apart in all this time.

Sun Jan 24, 2021 12:20 pm

Let me guess.. dont want to pay up for the foam kits.. :lol:

Really any high density foam will work.. Think memory foam.
You could even scavenge the junk yards and pull a parts and cut down flat seat cushions as required.
For a couple hundred .. the kits are ready preformed and fit..

The key to keeping all the coconut fibers from shredding is as exactly as mentioned above. .. something must be installed over the springs between the fiber pad and springs otherwise the springs will eat the fibers like a Coconut Macaroon
I've simply reused used the old seat cover material I am replacing.

You will need to do this with foam pads as well.. ..

Sun Jan 24, 2021 1:24 pm

VOLKSWAGNUT wrote: Let me guess.. dont want to pay up for the foam kits.. :lol:

Really any high density foam will work.. Think memory foam...

It's not that I don't want to pay, I'm paying an interior guy to do the interior for the 54 3 fold I'm building my wife, I will also pay him to do the seats in my 52, I want to do these and I have heard mixed reviews on the kits. I also want to try my hand at it. More time than money at the moment but I doubt I will save anything doing it this way.

Sun Jan 24, 2021 3:58 pm

I bought sewfines foam kit and I was disappointed in what arrived, foam cut to the size and glued edges. Guess I was expecting injected foam molding for the price I paid. I went with it reluctantly but final appearance turned out excellent so ultimately I have no complaints

Sun Jan 24, 2021 4:23 pm

I put the JBugs foam in my 64. Vastly nicer than the Sewfine ones and fit perfectly. I find foam seems less bouncy than the coconut fiber.

Sun Jan 24, 2021 5:31 pm

I outfitted my ol' '59 with the TMI sport upholstery with black vinyl outers and a black tweed insert, and I love them.

One thing I should have done and that I strongly recommend for anyone doing their own work is to not use too much padding. I did so and should not have.

On my seats I used a burlap base, with a jute pad on top of that, with foam on top of that. I should have used just the burlap and foam. As a result, my seats look great (to me at least :-)), but the driving position is too far forward and it is harder to get in and out, though not terribly so. If I was any fatter or taller I'd be in trouble!

Best of luck,

Ted

Sun Jan 24, 2021 11:54 pm

67 Florida Deluxe wrote: I replaced the seat pads in my '67 in 2005 and used the coconut fiber pads from WW. I placed a piece of burlap (actually an old horse feed bag) on the springs before I installed the pads. I have never had an issue with them coming apart in all this time.
X2 that’s exactly what I did on my 56 ragtop and my 56 vert probably 15 + years ago still holding up fine.

Mon Jan 25, 2021 4:32 am

I put the jbugs kit in my 65' in 2003 and they are still exactly the same. Still perfect. I got the VHF " how to" also!

Mon Jan 25, 2021 4:50 pm

The new fiber pads from WW don't shed. And if you need to fine-tune them with a shave here and there- just spray the area with light spray adhesive (hobby grade). Use a piece of waxed paper to rub off the stickiness.

My take on the old argument stuffing: Fiber if you want the original VW feel and breathability- Foam if you want more daily comfort and don't mind the extra heat.

Mon Jan 25, 2021 5:57 pm

hitest wrote:
My take on the old argument stuffing: Fiber if you want the original VW feel and breathability- Foam if you want more daily comfort and don't mind the extra heat.

AND the coconut fiber pads smell SOOOO good - like a VW should back in the day 8)