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Technical Removing glued seat cover from foam?? Reupholstering

Discussion in 'The Hokey Ass Message Board' started by wdglide, May 8, 2016.

  1. wdglide
    Joined: Jun 21, 2009
    Posts: 301

    wdglide
    Member

    I am going with a caravan seat in my A. I will be recovering it. The material is glued (?) to the foam rubber. I've searched for tips but only saw people mentioning that it is difficult to peal it off. Some people say its not possible..

    I was hoping for more specific experiences or any tips to help me.

    Here's a recent shot of her...

    [​IMG]
     
  2. Why not leave the old material on the seat and cover over it,pulling the old material off the seat you run the risk of ripping the foam. HRP
     
    OLSKOOL32 likes this.
  3. 29moonshine
    Joined: Dec 30, 2006
    Posts: 1,341

    29moonshine
    Member

    ^^^ that is what i did
     
  4. wdglide
    Joined: Jun 21, 2009
    Posts: 301

    wdglide
    Member

    I'd rather not. I was hoping to copy the patterns and reuse the J-clips.

    Leaving it on is plan B
     

  5. Hombre
    Joined: Aug 22, 2008
    Posts: 1,075

    Hombre
    ALLIANCE MEMBER

    It is damn hard to get it off if it is glued. Your best bet is remove it slowly and use a razor blade and try and skin the thing. You are going to cut and tear the foam but that is not the end of the world as you can buy the foam online even e-bay has it. you want a dense foam and then after you glue it down it is sandable with your DA or even using a sanding block. Doing this will look much better than leaving the old upholstery in place and trying to cover over it in most cases. You can do that but for me it needs to be a last resort.
     
  6. wdglide
    Joined: Jun 21, 2009
    Posts: 301

    wdglide
    Member

    Good advice. Thanks!
     
  7. dorf
    Joined: Dec 5, 2008
    Posts: 1,087

    dorf
    Member
    from ohio

    try a electric knife like the upholster do
     
  8. Depending on how old the seat is you might get lucky and not destroy the foam,if it has a lot of age the foam may already be getting powdery and brittle. HRP
     
  9. DdoubleD
    Joined: Nov 18, 2009
    Posts: 225

    DdoubleD
    Member
    from Michigan

    I did that exact thing. If you go slow it can be pealed off. As it turns out the foam needed to be reworked to fill the "butt" imprint on the caravan seat anyway. The back also needed to have the foam sculpted. caravan seat.JPG PU Seat.jpg
     
    bct likes this.
  10. junkyardjeff
    Joined: Jul 23, 2005
    Posts: 8,588

    junkyardjeff
    Member

    The glued Chrysler seat covers usually are not too hard to get off without damaging the foam.
     
  11. Brotus
    Joined: Jun 24, 2016
    Posts: 3

    Brotus

     
  12. Brotus
    Joined: Jun 24, 2016
    Posts: 3

    Brotus

    Have you tried steaming it? Chances are the glue is water based and will loosen with steam. Just get one of those handheld clothing steamers, and let the steam get in between the foam and covering material. It takes time, but works, don't pull too hard.
     
  13. wdglide
    Joined: Jun 21, 2009
    Posts: 301

    wdglide
    Member

    Sorry. I should have updated this.

    The cover came off with little effort. It was much easier than people describe. Here's a shot of the interior...

    [​IMG]
     
  14. butch27
    Joined: Dec 10, 2004
    Posts: 2,847

    butch27
    Member

    Do most upholstery guys use water based glue?? It smells strong.
     
  15. Flathead Dave
    Joined: Mar 21, 2014
    Posts: 3,959

    Flathead Dave
    ALLIANCE MEMBER
    from So. Cal.

    Nice job. Did you place the seat on risers? What is the length of your caravan seat? I'm asking because I might change out the seats in my 27' Coupe. Right now I have a pair of rear Ford take outs which fit pretty good and had to place them on 4" risers but would prefer a bench seat. Thanks
     
  16. wdglide
    Joined: Jun 21, 2009
    Posts: 301

    wdglide
    Member

    I used the Model A riser. Not sure of the width, but it just barely fit.
     
    Flathead Dave likes this.
  17. BrandonK
    Joined: Nov 24, 2015
    Posts: 48

    BrandonK
    Member

    I am running the same seat. How did you make the seat more flat? did you add foam to the lower parts or shave down the higher parts?
     
  18. low budget
    Joined: Nov 15, 2006
    Posts: 5,566

    low budget
    Member
    from Central Ky

    Not sure about the seats but this is hands down the very best way to remove old window tinting.
    (look up a youtube video)
    It could possibly work on a seat???
     
  19. wdglide
    Joined: Jun 21, 2009
    Posts: 301

    wdglide
    Member

    I thought about doing that, but I did neither. Its a little hollow in the low areas. But its not really noticeable.
     
  20. wheeldog57
    Joined: Dec 6, 2013
    Posts: 3,181

    wheeldog57
    Member

  21. BrandonK
    Joined: Nov 24, 2015
    Posts: 48

    BrandonK
    Member

    Do you have any photos of your seat recovered?
     
  22. wheeler.t
    Joined: Oct 8, 2010
    Posts: 282

    wheeler.t
    Member

    Use a clothes steamer on it, peel slow. You'll likely end up with some tips in the foam but not much.
    Heat guns work ok too but I find the heat and moisture soften that shitty old glue up enough to peel it. I am an upholsterer for a living and have done it countless times.


    Sent from my iPhone using The H.A.M.B. mobile app
     
    low budget likes this.
  23. wdglide
    Joined: Jun 21, 2009
    Posts: 301

    wdglide
    Member

    Old thread. The cover has been removed (read above).

    Photos are above too.
     
  24. GordonC
    Joined: Mar 6, 2006
    Posts: 3,141

    GordonC
    ALLIANCE MEMBER

    Here is the Dodge caravan 3rd row seat I narrowed 6 inches to fit my 31 A roadster. Used the original seat cover as patterns and adjusted it 6 inches. Did the work myself. Just learning the stitching part and how stuff goes together but have a buddy who knows this stuff looking over my shoulder. Coming out ok I think.
     

    Attached Files:

    Atwater Mike and clunker like this.
  25. DdoubleD
    Joined: Nov 18, 2009
    Posts: 225

    DdoubleD
    Member
    from Michigan

    The pad was filled by gluing pieces in the low area then sanded flat. I did not do the work it was done by the upholstery shop.
     
  26. BrandonK
    Joined: Nov 24, 2015
    Posts: 48

    BrandonK
    Member

    All the photos you posted aren't there anymore.


    Sent from my iPhone using The H.A.M.B. mobile app
     
  27. BrandonK
    Joined: Nov 24, 2015
    Posts: 48

    BrandonK
    Member

    That came out great!


    Sent from my iPhone using The H.A.M.B. mobile app
     
  28. GordonC
    Joined: Mar 6, 2006
    Posts: 3,141

    GordonC
    ALLIANCE MEMBER

    Thanks! Gonna plug away at it and hopefully it will all come together once it is in the car!
     
  29. Gearhead Graphics
    Joined: Oct 4, 2008
    Posts: 3,890

    Gearhead Graphics
    Member
    from Denver Co

    My upholstery guy said he steamed and pulled mine off the foam. though he did also say that most of the cloth tore and didn't leave him really anything worthwhile as a pattern.
     
  30. wdglide
    Joined: Jun 21, 2009
    Posts: 301

    wdglide
    Member

    Sorry. They show for me??

    here's a shot of mine. I did not fill the center area and the cover came off, intact, and easily.
     

    Attached Files:

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