I have a 54' Ford Customline and I am about to tear down the bench seat upholstery with the foam and everything! I'm curious on where to find he foam big enough to fit the frame. Also how I shape it? Honestly, everything from beginning to end? Any help, websites, and tutorials? Thanks!
Seen some really cool threads about guys cutting up old leather couches and making full blown interiors. Seriously... Anyone have a link?
Well.....I don't know where you live, but there are businesses that sell foam rubber. May or may not be one close to you. Or, maybe a regular upholstry shop might be able to help. Also, someone once told me the best thing to cut foam rubber with is an electric carving knife. I tried cutting some thick foam with other instruments and they didn't work very well. Good luck on your project.
Here it is: http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=737789 Post some pic's when your done. -Ron
Depending how you compose the search, Google can put you onto dozens of related sites with u tube videos that are not too bad. I am always looking for videos on how trimmers approach covers from scratch. Go easy on the existing covers and foam cause that's your pattern for the new stuff. Since you're on Mars we can' direct to any any possible local sources. There is a subset of this site that specializes in car interior work. Good Luck: Fred A
California Bills Automotive Upholstery Handbook. Really good book for beginning upholstery. There is also thehogring.com a lot of useful stuff there. Good luck! Sent from my DROID device using the TJJ mobile app
We have a Jo Anns fabric here on mars, gotta check em out, by chance do you know if the foam is expensive?
Jo Anns has it but it was more expensive than I expected. I bought it there anyways just for convenience. Also try midwestfabrics.com If you are buying a lot it might be cheaper even with shipping it. I've bought material from them in the past and had good luck
Foam is expensive, at least for me. I have good luck putting a new foam "cap" on top of the existing stuff if it's not too bad. If you aren't too picky you can find some decent material in the sales bin. My f-100 bench took almost 4 yards. Found some neat houndstooth patterned fabric for $7/yard. All of this came from Hancock's, our local sewing store.
Well, I am picky, lets say OCD! I would rather do something right the first and not have to go back and deal with it later, plus I want this to look good! I go all out!
Rader's fabrics in Danville, Indiana. Tell him what foam you are looking for. Thickness, firmness, size. Best prices on foam anywhere. Use a turkey cutter to shape it. Keep your old covers for patterns. I have found new foam is crazy expensive. This place has a stock pile of old new foam thru out the shop. Posted from the TJJ App for iPhone & iPad
Yeah, electric carving knife to cut it......AND you can also use a sander to shape it, i.e. rounded corners. If you can't find an auto upholstery shop to buy the foam, a regualr fabric shop, or place that upholsters chairs and sofas might sell it to you.
The only thing I really know 'bout upholstery is how ta' accidentally stain it but I found this ta' be helpful when I repaired mine: http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=168060
Here's a social group for upholstery: http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/group.php?groupid=174 I'll be doing the interior of my '54 sometime soon.....well after I finish the drivetrain.
The foam to ask for is topper pads,1'' x 24'' x 60''.Get the high grade ,may take 2 per cushion.I sell them to my customers here at 24.00.That thickness cut with a razer blade. Strip to the frame and springs repair as needed. Lay a piece of burlap over that,then a layer of carpet jute,then Foam , let the foam hang over the edges a couple inches, don't put hogrings in the foam, only glue. Works every time. Jack
A good old electric carving knife will do the trick. I use a axle grinder and a flap disc to round the corners, that works fine but it give a lot of foam around the garage!!(i have a party tent so i only have to clean that part)haha The big pieces can also be cut with a electric saw...
Since my vehicles are not always the most weather-proof I check out Marine / boat grade foam and upholstery materials when doing at home upholsterery.
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