Front Seat Upholstery Foam for an 84 Westy

[Ahwahnee]

Who here has reupholstered Westy seats using new replacement foam?

I will be using new 'factory style' seat upholstery:

GoWesty sells foam backs and bases:

Back ($80): https://www.gowesty.com/product/seat-padding/24721/backrest-foam-for-front-seat?v=

Base ($110): https://www.gowesty.com/product/seat-padding/24723/front-seat-base-foam-early-camper-?v=

Sewfine also sells foam on page 33 of their catalog:

It is odd that Sewfine sells only one bottom version for an 84 whereas GW sells a version for Non-Camper (Stationary) and another for Camper (Swivel).

I am aware of some of the ways old foam can be built-up if deteriorated or glued if torn (mine are both) but I really prefer new foam if it fits correctly.

I'd appreciate any comments on these sources or others. I'm no upholsterer but can fit the materials together if they are close to correct - I'm just trying to avoid paying for something that will need a lot of fettling to look right.

Thanks for any advice.

[Mulcheese]

Well if you already purchased the gowesty foam I cant help you. If you are looking for possible ideas I can.

I have the same seat as you in my 82. The wire frame was bothering me so I figured Id make it work.
I separated the back from the seat and removed the upholstery. Threw away the original horsehair. What I did is looked around my house and garage. What I decided on is a combination of a layer of foam (from an old mattress) for the base. Then I layered that with carpet pad. Lasts a long time. This gave me a good base. Then I created a great lumbar support out of some batting my wife had. I played with these materials in different layers to get what I liked. So far I have very little issues and it has been at least seven years. Is it as nice as my Audi, no, but I can drive 10-12 hours a day on trips and say its fine. This way you can customize the seat any way you want. Just add more or less.

Pat
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82 Westy: Air is cool!

[rmcd]

Sewfine can order any type of vw seat cushions and then the provide the proper cover to match.

The smartest thing to do is send them your pan.

I used a Eurovan low profile westy style swivel seat. Somewhere in m6 build thread and picture gallery are details.
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VW LT40 build. Like a Vanagon but 30% larger in every direction and 40% slower even in metric.
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=749359&highlight=

[heidi85ho]

I worked on my friends 84 westy. Replaced both foam and upholstery.
Ordered from Sewfine, straight from the book. No problems. Everything fit just fine and dandy.
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85 westy-1.9-standard trans, FAS GenV 2.0

[Ahwahnee]

[heidi85ho]

Yes, that is the way iy was for me. No hog rings, no glue, no staples, no cutting.
Just fit and go.
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85 westy-1.9-standard trans, FAS GenV 2.0

[Ahwahnee]

I was wrong - hog rings were used on the original covers on mine. The liner cloth had separated so cleanly from the upholstery fabric that I didn't recognize how it was all attached.

The German-made factory-style replacements from Bus Depot arrived last night and things are much clearer now. I will use zip-ties rather than hog rings for ease of installation and less blood.

[sphet]

Can you document this for us? I’m curious how it’s done and the quality of the fabrics. On my list.
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1982 Diesel Westfalia 1.6 NA - The Shellakabuukiee

[skills@eurocarsplus]

bumping this as i'm curious how the seat foam worked out.

my seats are reasonably comfortable however they are getting a bit 'boney' here and there. looks like GW has a long lead time, which is fine as i probably won't do this for a while.

not sure if the GW or sewfine is the way to go here. looks like sewfine has stacks of foam glued together which...meh not sure how that would hold up vs a 1 piece molded unit
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[vwwestyman]