Date: Tue, 14 Jan 2003 20:45:14 -0500
Reply-To: Greg Marshall <earthboy@ROGERS.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Greg Marshall <earthboy@ROGERS.COM>
Subject: Re: Where to get front seat padding?
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii
Hi Richard
I jusrt redid the front seats in my 82 this summer, mind you, I only did the
seat backs, the bottoms were fine. The final results were great, very
comfortable, and appearance wise, indistinguishable from stock.
Here's how I did it.
First of all, go to an upholstery shop and buy a 1 inch thick slab of the
stiffest density upholstery foam you can get. Also, pick up enough burlap to
cover the seat back.
Now that you have your materials, you can begin.
Step one: Remove the seat backs by undoing the big allen bolts at the bottom
on each side.
Step two: Remove the headrests. Don't try to remove the plastic headrest
sleeves yet.
Step three: Undo the clips at the bottom of the seat and peel up the covers.
Step three: Find the bottoms of the plastic headrest sleeves. Push the
prongs in and pop the sleeves out the top. Now you can remove the entire
cover.
Step four: Remove and get rid of whatever is left of you old seat guts.
Step five: Tie the burlab down to the bare springs. This will help keep the
foam fro msquishing through the springs.
Step six: Cut a piece of foam that resembles the shape of the seat back.
Add enough to fold over the top, and around the sides.
Step seven: Tie this onto the frame over the burlap. Make sure to fold it
over the top and around the sides. Cut holes in the top for the headrest
sleeves
Step eight: Put the cover back on and reclip the bottom.
Step nine: Put the headrest back in.
Step nine: Have a beer.
This is a finicky, arty, crafty sort of job. It's not quite as
straightforward or well defined as changing spark plugs, but with some time
spent, I found this method made for good looking comfy seats, which I hope
will be long lasting.
Greg.
82 Westy.
Step five:
Go to a furniture
Richard Golen wrote:
> Hi All,
>
> Another question regarding my son's 80 Westy. The front seats apparently
> had padding made of the infamous VW pressed horsehair padding. The
> horsehair has galloped into history, and the seats are basically cloth
> covering metal springs.
>
> Is there any where I can get foam rubber padding for the bottom and backs
> for the front seats?
>
> Thanks.
>
> Ric
