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Ahwahnee Samba Member

Joined: June 05, 2010 Posts: 9059 Location: Mt Lemmon, AZ
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Posted: Fri Sep 04, 2020 5:33 pm Post subject: Front Seat Upholstery Foam for an 84 Westy |
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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. |
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Mulcheese Samba Member

Joined: September 19, 2004 Posts: 538 Location: Maple Grove, Mn
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Posted: Fri Sep 04, 2020 6:27 pm Post subject: Re: Front Seat Upholstery Foam for an 84 Westy |
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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 _________________ 82 Westy: Air is cool! |
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rmcd Samba Member

Joined: October 29, 2010 Posts: 1174 Location: PNW - its a dry rain.
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heidi85ho Samba Member

Joined: October 17, 2009 Posts: 286 Location: Williamsburg,Virginia
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Posted: Sun Sep 06, 2020 5:45 am Post subject: Re: Front Seat Upholstery Foam for an 84 Westy |
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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. _________________ 85 westy-1.9-standard trans, FAS GenV 2.0 |
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Ahwahnee Samba Member

Joined: June 05, 2010 Posts: 9059 Location: Mt Lemmon, AZ
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Posted: Sun Sep 06, 2020 8:39 am Post subject: Re: Front Seat Upholstery Foam for an 84 Westy |
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heidi85ho wrote: |
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. |
Thanks - that is good to know.
The cloth seat upholstery arrives this week. Hopefully it really is like the factory covers which just pop on the seat bottom with an edge that fits over the metal base - no glue, hog rings or staples. If that is the case I will do a trial fit with the old foam and see what I get.
The seat back will need new foam as the old horsehair and other paddings are too far gone to reuse. |
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heidi85ho Samba Member

Joined: October 17, 2009 Posts: 286 Location: Williamsburg,Virginia
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Posted: Mon Sep 07, 2020 5:45 am Post subject: Re: Front Seat Upholstery Foam for an 84 Westy |
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Yes, that is the way iy was for me. No hog rings, no glue, no staples, no cutting.
Just fit and go. _________________ 85 westy-1.9-standard trans, FAS GenV 2.0 |
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Ahwahnee Samba Member

Joined: June 05, 2010 Posts: 9059 Location: Mt Lemmon, AZ
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Posted: Mon Sep 07, 2020 7:44 am Post subject: Re: Front Seat Upholstery Foam for an 84 Westy |
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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. |
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sphet Samba Member
Joined: November 09, 2016 Posts: 254 Location: Vancouver, BC
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Posted: Mon Sep 07, 2020 8:07 pm Post subject: Re: Front Seat Upholstery Foam for an 84 Westy |
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Can you document this for us? I’m curious how it’s done and the quality of the fabrics. On my list. _________________ 1982 Diesel Westfalia 1.6 NA - The Shellakabuukiee |
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