Seat Foam--some questions

[Klaus Schlueter]

Pict. 3.JPGPict. 2.JPG


Hi all

first of all: Happy New Year to all of you.

I have started to fit a new drivers seat cushion (Aldridge) and I read the excellent instructions from Vmad. But there are still some questions:

1. The right pic shows what I found under the cover--a kind of a home made foam sandwich with a slot over the width of the center section (see arrow and the wedge which I placed into the slot) where the straps of the cover went through. The new foam doesn't have this slot so my question is: do I have to cut it or is there another method to get tension in the cover?

2. Chris strongly recommended to glue the center section of the cover to the foam. Which glue type should I use -- spray glue or liquid contact glue?

3. When should I fit the new diaphragm? At the beginning or at the end of the job?

4. Some people recommended to use a plastic foil between the foam and the cover to make it easier to get a good fit. Is that necessary?

Any advice and further tips are highly appreciated.

Regards
Klaus

[jleyton]

Hi Klaus,

I certainly don't claim to be an expert but I completely refurbished my seats and I'm pleased with the results. Based on my seats, this is what I would suggest:

1) Yes, I think you'll need to cut that slot as the 'pull-through' straps are essential and they need to pull from the correct angle Ie through the seat base
2) I used Evo stick contact glue and it worked well for me. Remember, you only need to do two strips - one at each side, just inside where the side supports rise. And careful to follow the instructions carefully - let the two sides become virtually dry before bringing them together.
3) I fitted my diaphragm to the frame and then fitted the foam base afterwards. With no weight on the seat, the foam only lightly touches the diaphragm and so I don't think it matters in which order you do it. However I found it quite hard to stretch the diaphragm to get the fixing hooks to fit and so the less there was on the frame, the better.
4) For the bottom of the seat I didn't find any need to use a film of any sort - when you come to the backrests though it is a different matter !

I hope these thoughts will be of some use to you - Good luck !

Cheers

Julian

[V Mad]

Hi Klaus. I think Julian has summed it up nicely there!

[edd]

Great post guys , i am in need of one drivers seat refurb as other is excellent , i am hoping for a good match so question is am i likely to get one from aldridge ?
btw v mad chris i have mailed you regards to this and i,m sure my internal mail box is playing up , did you get a mail from me regards a seat refurb ?

[Klaus Schlueter]

Hi Julian

many thanks for your quick, detailed and structured answer! I think everything is quite clear now and I will start tomorrow morning.

Regards Klaus

PS. Who is going to write and summerize an article for the new "to do" section about seat base and backrest refurbishing?

[jleyton]

Thanks Chris, to get a seal of approval like that from someone with your expertise is a bit like getting a Royal Warrant

Thanks Klaus, I hope it all goes well for you.

As for writing it up I would, most definitely, bow to Chris' vastly superior knowledge and experience.

Cheers

Julian

[V Mad]

Great post guys , i am in need of one drivers seat refurb as other is excellent , i am hoping for a good match so question is am i likely to get one from aldridge ?
btw v mad chris i have mailed you regards to this and i,m sure my internal mail box is playing up , did you get a mail from me regards a seat refurb ?

No I didnt get a message Edd. You could send me a PM, or contact me via the website www.stagweber.co.uk or 07990 718377

[V Mad]

Hi Julian

PS. Who is going to write and summerize an article for the new "to do" section about seat base and backrest refurbishing?

Me!! I have sent one to the technical section; now pending approval.

[Klaus Schlueter]

Spot on Chris!!!

[Stagdad]

Me!! I have sent one to the technical section; now pending approval.

Just asked for a new heading to be created along the lines of "interior" or "upholstery".


Cheers Steve

[dasadrew]

Chris, in your description you say that it is important to take lots of photos. Did you take any when you did your seat(s)? If so, would it be possible to incorporate them into your good description?

I've found so many things on my Stag which have been incorrectly assembled and using the wrong parts that I have no confidence, when I come to do the seats, that taking photos of what a previous owner may have bodged will help.

Your pics with your knowledge of what is the correct fitment and parts would be invaluable!

Drew

[dasadrew]

Just asked for a new heading to be created along the lines of "interior" or "upholstery".


Cheers Steve

Would there be any value to use the same breakdown as the ROM chapters?

[Dieter H. Marschall]

Hello,
When I refurbished the seats on my Stag I replaced the diaphragm by a piece of sheet metal, which was welded into the bottom frame. I had to add some slits, however, to accommodate the straps from the cover going through the seat foam.

Good luck, Klaus,
Dieter.

[Stagdad]

Would there be any value to use the same breakdown as the ROM chapters?

Drew thats a good idea ,i'll put it to Carl and the others,

Cheers

[V Mad]

When renewing only the foams ie re-using the old cover, it helps if the clips are replaced in the same position because otherwise the holes for the side catch and headrest may be in the wrong positions. Thats why it helps if you take a picture. It would not really help much seeing pictures of another seat, especially as they vary from one another, I suspect that each trimmer had his own way of doing things, so unlike mechanical assembly there is no right way as such.

But if you still want some pictures, let me know and I will post a few, I have loads!