Seat foam covering?

[Nos4r2]

I'm just about to reassemble the seats on my Ballistic. As there's stitching and piping on the covers, they won't be completely waterproof.

Has anyone ever covered/wrapped the foam in anything successfully to stop it filling with water?

[Dirk Diggler]

Originally Posted by Nos4r2

I'm just about to reassemble the seats on my Ballistic. As there's stitching and piping on the covers, they won't be completely waterproof.

Has anyone ever covered/wrapped the foam in anything successfully to stop it filling with water?

My guys cover the foam in polythene first

[Nos4r2]

Originally Posted by Dirk Diggler

My guys cover the foam in polythene first

I was thinking that, but it also crossed my mind that polythene bags are biodegradable in recent years. Is this the same for polythene sheet?

It appears there was (or at least may have been) a polythene covering under the seat covers, but it seems to have degraded into pretty much nothing left.

[Nick Hearne]

How about soaking the foam in something like Thompson’s water seal?

[BumbleAbout]

From memory, polythene degradation usually relies upon UV light - so underneath your seat covering should be fine.

I also smeared some flexible waterproof sealer over the inside of the stitching to try and reduce the amount of water getting through to the polythene bag liner over the foam. I haven't disassembled the seat to see if that made the slightest difference however!

[Nos4r2]

Originally Posted by Nick Hearne

How about soaking the foam in something like Thompson’s water seal?

Doesn't that go solid?

Originally Posted by BumbleAbout

From memory, polythene degradation usually relies upon UV light - so underneath your seat covering should be fine.

I also smeared some flexible waterproof sealer over the inside of the stitching to try and reduce the amount of water getting through to the polythene bag liner over the foam. I haven't disassembled the seat to see if that made the slightest difference however!

That sounds like a good idea-I've got a load of Fabsil for seams here somewhere.

[Nick Hearne]

Originally Posted by Nos4r2

Doesn't that go solid?

Think you may be right I have not used it for a long time, but there are plenty of waterproofing products suitable for flexible application.

Plastic bag cheep & will work!

[jyasaki]

I also smeared some flexible waterproof sealer over the inside of the stitching

Seam Sure

Doesn't that go solid? [re: Thompsons Water Seal]

Don't think so. It's the oils in it that repel water. Would probably eat the foam though. In any case, if you're using open cell foam, TWS will keep the water from penetrating the actual foam material, but won't keep it out of the cells. Closed cell foam is probably the way to go.

jky

[sidneycuth]

Hi
We use commercial cling film to cover the foam.

[Nos4r2]

Originally Posted by sidneycuth

Hi
We use commercial cling film to cover the foam.

Hi, welcome to Ribnet

The same stuff that wraps pallets or is there a different type?

[biffer]

I've put quite a bit on here recently about upholstery. Why don't you use the proper foam.
About 85% of upholsterer don't because people don't like paying a little extra for something they can't see.
It's false ecconomy give it a weekend and you're already waterlogged and that's how it will stay.
I've got DRYFAST foam on my old girl and she's the same as the day I put it in

[Nos4r2]

Originally Posted by biffer

I've put quite a bit on here recently about upholstery. Why don't you use the proper foam.
About 85% of upholsterer don't because people don't like paying a little extra for something they can't see.
It's false ecconomy give it a weekend and you're already waterlogged and that's how it will stay.
I've got DRYFAST foam on my old girl and she's the same as the day I put it in

Hello mate, how are you doing?

I'm actually reusing the original foam and covers as it's all in good condition, but the bases rotted out as the water couldn't escape. I may even have dryfast foam in there originally as the bases had rotted from the outside.
The faces against the foam weren't rotten but I couldn't get a screw to hold securely enough in what was left.

[biffer]

Originally Posted by Nos4r2

Hello mate, how are you doing?

I'm actually reusing the original foam and covers as it's all in good condition, but the bases rotted out as the water couldn't escape. I may even have dryfast foam in there originally as the bases had rotted from the outside.
The faces against the foam weren't rotten but I couldn't get a screw to hold securely enough in what was left.

Hello mate still at it. It's a wonder terrorist haven't discovered cancer treatment as a torture. I'd tell them anything straight away
Dry fast is very light and stays that way. There is a nylon base material but some of it is brittle when I find out the name I'll let you know

[Nos4r2]

Ouch... As long as you're making headway I guess...

No, it's not Dryfast in there then.

[sidneycuth]

Hi
Its the same stuff as used on pallets.

[Nos4r2]

Originally Posted by sidneycuth

Hi
Its the same stuff as used on pallets.

Cool, thanks. I've got some of that in the garage