seat foam

[wilkin250r]

Replacing the lounge seats in my Bayliner is not a problem, I just buy new seats, but what do I need to replace the rest of the seat cushions around the back and the open bow? Obviously I need a marine-grade vinyl, but is there such a thing as a marine-grade foam?<br /><br />All the closed-cell foams I've seen are way too hard to use as seat cushions, and I haven't seen anything thicker than 2". Do I just use a regular furniture foam? What about mildew or fungus?

 

[sloopy]

Re: seat foam

yes there is marine grade foam.<br /><br />Many companys cell(cell get it a "foam cell...") it (www.sailrite.com) and many people including my have a way to make it better (harder but softer ) Most people including myself use 1 layer of closed cell foam (1 inch thick) with a piece of open cell foam clued to the top of it!<br /><br />The best way to cut the stuff is to use an electric kitchen knife! if you try any other way to do it you will have a hard time cutting it!<br /><br />GOOD LUCK AND ASK THE FRIENDLY PEOPLE AT SAILRITE FOR HELP!

 

[wilkin250r]

Re: seat foam

Wow, that stuff is expensive, the 4" is $10.80 per square foot. I can get 4" furniture grade foam for $1.75 per square foot.

 

[gewf631]

Re: seat foam

There's much cheaper places to pick-up foam (maybe not "Marine").<br /><br />Rochford Supply has some good prices...<br /> http://www.rochfordsupply.com/index.html <br /><br />You can check-out the UPHOLSTER! Magazine board at<br /> http://www.get-up-and-go.com/wwwboard/wwwboard.html

 

[C17LoadSmasher]

Re: seat foam

I re-did some seats on an old bass boat I had, made the three side-by-side ones into a bench seat, I bought the foam at a Hancock Fabrics store.. they're all over, one might be near you. It was the most expensive of the whole project, about 80 bucks for 4" foam, about 7' long and maybe 3' wide. Vinyl was a close second in cost.<br /><br />--C17

 

[wilkin250r]

Re: seat foam

I've found many facts, and have come up with a few theories, so I'll run them by you guys.<br /><br />Closed-cell foam, in general, is expensive, and also very hard.<br /><br />Open-cell foam is much more economical, but is more prone to mildew since water can get in and "sit" <br /><br />Will furniture-grade foam be resistant to mildew? I would imagine so. I could be very wrong. I would imagine that foam designed to go in a couch would be resistant to spills and stuff.<br /><br />I'm not worried about flotation of the cushions, I have life vests for that.<br /><br />Can I add something to the open-cell foam to resist mildew? Spray it with Clorox Clean-up before I put the vinyl on?

 

[sloopy]

Re: seat foam

Thats why you have a two inch layer of closed cell in the center and you glue 1 inch of open cell to the top and bottom with a hot glue gun.<br /><br />Thats what alot of people do.

 

[JAZZedBW]

Re: seat foam

Me and my dad have a boat canvas business. And Really, you want to know the truth, that really dense foam is made so that water can go through it. The best seat cushion foam is a 4 in. medium. You have to get it from a canvas shop, but you can also get your cushions redone.<br /><br />We do canvas, carpeting, upholstery, repairs...anything else.... Thanks<br /><br />JAZZ

 

[crab bait]

Re: seat foam

my upholsterer wrapped my foam in plastic first..

 

[ebbtide176]

Re: seat foam

i'm thinking of what crabbie said. and i'm no expert, but my broNlaw was doing car upholstery since i was a tatertot. the foam looked just like what was in the seats in my boat. very soft. i would think your vinyl is supposed to protect it, and i've seen seats with plastic wrap around the foam. i just think the plastic has to have holes in it, or the seat wouldn't collapse- kinda like trying to flatten a balloon. you hit it just right, and BAM! big hole in seam <br />when i redid my seats, i drilled holes in the plywood, like the originals had in them. the only diff was that i used clear silicone when i installed them, between the top of the pads/boat.