Seat Pads: Foam vs HorseHair?

[Ragman]

I need to replace my seat pads in my 63 beetle w/ low back seats. Should I use Horsehair pads or foam pads?

[cswi9367]

RAGMAN, use horsehair, its much better. besides it will last much longer, more durable, and give you a much better look. the best way is to lay the horsehair, then apply a 1/2" - 3/4" thick coating of foam on it. apply the foam to the horsehair with spray glue. you should be able to get the foam at any fabric store or hobby lobby type store. it will give you a great tight fit of the new covers.

[Black58EuroBug]

If you have original seatcovers, or original style seat covers, I would absolutely go with the reproduction hair pads from Wolfsburg West.

They fit exactly as original, fill out the seat covers just right and are very comfortable. I used foam padding once, before the hair pads were available. It gave an overstuffed look and was a tad lumpy on the edges. It didn't fit nearly as nice as the original style pads.
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Kimberly
9/9/57 European Beetle L41 "Schnitzel"

[Kel Dub]

The only thing bad about horse hair is that it makes a mess.

[jfpvw]

to avaid the mess later on, wrap the hair pad in like a t shirt, at least around the bottom, so it doesn't all fall out. i've also gathered from experience that foam, after time, will begin to smell musty and fairly foul. the hair i believe is what gives the "old vw smell." im not sure if the new hair pads do that, as the old ones do. definitely go with the hair.
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Cars and metal rust and are destroyed, but the Word of God will never pass away.

[radrob]

If your going for originality go for the horse hair
If comfort is your thing than go for foam
I have two old vw's one with each
Its just what your going for in a car. custom the way you want it ,or restored the way it would have come originaly.
so the question is what do you want?

[BluSpecs]

The hair gives a much better "look" to the seats. I also think that the foam makes the interior look bloated.

A Few tips:

Make sure to put canvas or another thick material over the springs so it sits between the springs and the pad. It will make them last much longer

You also need a set of Hogring pliers and some hog rings. go to ACE to pick them up, the mail order ones are crap.

Heat up the new covers in the sun or carefully use a hair dryer. Your get a better fit that way.

I used to re-upholster simple furnature and re-did the seats in my old '66

I'm no expert but you can give me a call if you get stumped.

Good Luck!

[Ragman]

Thanks for all the tips. Sounds like I'll go with horsehair. John, I might be calling you up to help me out when I get around to replacing them!

[ktwizza]

I heard it is the horsehair that gives the VW smell. Got to have it.
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"There was only one road back to L.A. US Interstate 15, just a flat-out high speed burn through Baker and Barstow and Berdoo. Then on to the Hollywood Freeway straight into frantic oblivion: safety, obscurity. Just another freak in the Freak Kingdom."

[FL_VERT]

If you do horse hair put put in canvas straps it will give the seat extra life and keeps all the hair in...........

Maybe can some can post a picture of the stapping

[Juan]

I used horse hair with 1/2 inch foam wrapped around it... very nice fit.. looks good, not too hard, not too soft. Use horse hair. Always.