When you assemble the seats, specifically sliding the upholstery over the foam - look into finding a fine soft mesh - almost like a stocking material. This thin layer allows the upholstery to slide over the foam (and you may be adding batting material) helping to prevent further damage to possibly brittle / weak foam. This layer is left in place and can serve as a stretchy layer of support for the old foam as well. There is plenty of bead material options on Amazon - of course you need less than a meter of material but I think it is sold in 3 meters and up. It is almost like door guard rubber.
Thanks for the tips Bill. I don't think it will be a problem finding some edging for those front corners. An earlier commenter mentioned putting tape on all the edges too. Covers won't be going on until early in the new year so I have lots of time to figure things out.
Interesting to see those seats come apart. Do you have Lindsay Porter’s Sprite restoration book? There is a good chapter on restoring the seats that would be useful for you. If you don’t have it I can copy those pages for you.
Are there any other books you recommend on the subject? Perhaps Ian can post links to the books in the videos? Heck, do a video on the books! I have a few but I don't have Porter's book. I have "Tuning the A Series Engine" and "Your Expert Guide to common problems & how to solve them" for the MG / AH Midget/Sprite, but it sounds like I'm missing some critical documents.
Yes there are a few. I’ll make a list and post it here later,. I’ll,leave it up,to Ian as to whether he wants to highlight any. By the look of his book shelf he has a few already.
I had thought that a "what's in the library" episode might be a good idea! If you check out my blog, Econobox Cafe, I did a post in March of last year on just that topic. There's a link to the blog in this video's description.
I believe mk 1 and mk2 seat covers are the same. Your foam was totally different than mine. Mayde your foam was aftermarket and replaced later in its lifetime?
Thanks for your comment Joseph. I'm going to retain foam I have and purchase the corresponding covers, probably from AH Spares. As for bead blasting, it's not in the budget.
Very nice. Look solid to me, looking forward to how these turn out, and of course, the next installment. I have exactly 1 seat base and back, no bottom, between the two bugeyes, and it's not in this good a shape, but it does have the original red upholstery. What color are you going with for the seats?
Please.... idid the same work....never ever use old foam on the seats !!!!!! buy new ones and also put in more add. foam the car feels complete different. remember these cars have almost no suspension movement....a good new foam does some magic. lots of good work but u mess up on this .cover up all the edges with some good tape before u put on the new upholstery or u will damage it.keep up the good work.
I appreciate your comment Heinrich. The foam appears to be in very good condition and being from a Mk 2 it's quite a bit thicker than the foam from a Mk1. I will have someone else have a look at it and get their opinion as well. Thanks for the tip on taping the edges.
When you assemble the seats, specifically sliding the upholstery over the foam - look into finding a fine soft mesh - almost like a stocking material. This thin layer allows the upholstery to slide over the foam (and you may be adding batting material) helping to prevent further damage to possibly brittle / weak foam. This layer is left in place and can serve as a stretchy layer of support for the old foam as well.
There is plenty of bead material options on Amazon - of course you need less than a meter of material but I think it is sold in 3 meters and up. It is almost like door guard rubber.
Thanks for the tips Bill. I don't think it will be a problem finding some edging for those front corners. An earlier commenter mentioned putting tape on all the edges too. Covers won't be going on until early in the new year so I have lots of time to figure things out.
Interesting to see those seats come apart. Do you have Lindsay Porter’s Sprite restoration book? There is a good chapter on restoring the seats that would be useful for you. If you don’t have it I can copy those pages for you.
Thanks Gareth. I do have Porter's book and will be using it as a reference through the process.
Are there any other books you recommend on the subject? Perhaps Ian can post links to the books in the videos? Heck, do a video on the books! I have a few but I don't have Porter's book. I have "Tuning the A Series Engine" and "Your Expert Guide to common problems & how to solve them" for the MG / AH Midget/Sprite, but it sounds like I'm missing some critical documents.
Yes there are a few. I’ll make a list and post it here later,. I’ll,leave it up,to Ian as to whether he wants to highlight any. By the look of his book shelf he has a few already.
I had thought that a "what's in the library" episode might be a good idea! If you check out my blog, Econobox Cafe, I did a post in March of last year on just that topic. There's a link to the blog in this video's description.
Looking good Ian! Right around 8:40-8:45 there is a tool you are using along the edge. What is it, and what are you doing with it?
Hi Trevor. That's a door skin folding or crimping tool I've had for years. I was using it to compress the seat back parts where they overlap.
I believe mk 1 and mk2 seat covers are the same. Your foam was totally different than mine. Mayde your foam was aftermarket and replaced later in its lifetime?
Mike, the standard Bugeye seats don't have the inner piping, the pleats go all the way to the front of the seat bottom and the top of the seat back.
Use Mk 1 foam with the new covers. Why not bead blast the metal?
Thanks for your comment Joseph. I'm going to retain foam I have and purchase the corresponding covers, probably from AH Spares. As for bead blasting, it's not in the budget.
Very nice. Look solid to me, looking forward to how these turn out, and of course, the next installment. I have exactly 1 seat base and back, no bottom, between the two bugeyes, and it's not in this good a shape, but it does have the original red upholstery. What color are you going with for the seats?
Thanks Ken, I appreciate your continued interest in this project. Seats will be red with white piping. The dash will be the same red.
Please.... idid the same work....never ever use old foam on the seats !!!!!! buy new ones and also put in more add. foam the car feels complete different. remember these cars have almost no suspension movement....a good new foam does some magic. lots of good work but u mess up on this .cover up all the edges with some good tape before u put on the new upholstery or u will damage it.keep up the good work.
I appreciate your comment Heinrich. The foam appears to be in very good condition and being from a Mk 2 it's quite a bit thicker than the foam from a Mk1. I will have someone else have a look at it and get their opinion as well. Thanks for the tip on taping the edges.