Z3MCJez Posted August 12, 2009 Share Posted August 12, 2009 Having sought the wisdom of Blatchat when making my seat, I'm going to be making another soon (to improve some of the side support in the backrest, principally). Anyway, whilst I love the fit of the foam seat, and I use the car for racing so don't care too much about what it looks like, I want to know if anyone has covered the foam with fibreglass (or something else) rather than the ubiquitous gaffa tape, to: 1) Make it last longer 2) Make it look like a permanent part of the car. Anyone, or thoughts on how easy it would be to do? Jez Build Photos Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shn7 Posted August 12, 2009 Share Posted August 12, 2009 A couple of the 2001 Academy drivers did this. Looked a whole lot better than gaffa tape and looked the same at the end of the season as at the beginning. I've no idea how it might affect comfort though. Steve. Sussex (West) AR Not forgetting Percy the Polar Bear who recommends Puddle Pet Care Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Area Representative gileshudson Posted August 13, 2009 Area Representative Share Posted August 13, 2009 How rigid or not does that rubber-style garage floor paint dry? Would that work? Just a thought, sorry Giles Beryl the Peril (HPC) Edited by - gileshudson on 13 Aug 2009 08:00:44 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Molecular--Bob Posted August 13, 2009 Share Posted August 13, 2009 I have seen a cart seat/foam hybrid in a westfield that looked OK. The cart seat was set into the bag of foam with the driver sitting on it, using the foam as a seat support. I think the foam was then bonded to the seat base with the same stuff used for cycle wings. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Z3MCJez Posted August 13, 2009 Author Share Posted August 13, 2009 Steve - I'm not that worried about comfort (on the basis that I assume it will be like a better fitting Caterham tillet). You don't know how they did it do you? I really have no experience of glass fibre / fibreglass ... Giles - What sort of paint do you mean? When I painted my garage floor it was a "hard" finish. I've done a quick google, but only came up with "highly flammable" road-line paint, which is hardly suitable 😳 Bob - I think what you're suggesting would lose the key aim of better fit that I'm really looking for. Or I've misread and the foam is between kart seat and driver, at which point the seat becomes slightly superfluous for my aims ... All ideas good though! Thanks and please keep them coming! Jez Build Photos Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shn7 Posted August 13, 2009 Share Posted August 13, 2009 Jez, Sorry no idea. Only saw the results. Steve. Sussex (West) AR Not forgetting Percy the Polar Bear who recommends Puddle Pet Care Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Molecular--Bob Posted August 13, 2009 Share Posted August 13, 2009 Lets just say that the Westie driver was a "snug" fit in the cart seat. The foam was between the car and seat shell. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
myothercarsa2cv Posted August 13, 2009 Share Posted August 13, 2009 Jez, why not give Steve Tillett a shout? He's a nice bloke, and reasonably local. There's loads of stuff on the web regarding laying up your own fibreglass, by the looks of things, it will be tough to get a good finish! John _________________________ Bugsy: '82 2cv6 (Back on the road!!! 😬) Talloulah: '08 1.6K Classic (Grubby ) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rob Walker Posted August 14, 2009 Share Posted August 14, 2009 I covered mine with black car apolstry fabric fixed with spray on carpet adhesive. Another idea I had was to use wet suit neoprene the nylon faced stuff. If you want just a smooth hard finish then coat the foam seat with car body filler rub it down and spray it with the colour of your choice. Gaffa tape looks naff and goes sticky when the sun hits it, it will muck up your race suit, yuk Rob Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Area Representative gileshudson Posted August 14, 2009 Area Representative Share Posted August 14, 2009 Jez, Looking at garage paints online now, it appears that they mostly are hard finish nowadays. I'm getting old obviously, they used to be available in a rubber finish. Such things sort of still exist though, as they use similar things inside some swimming pools on the walls and in flexible roof coating applications. Found this that may do the job, a spray on version of the sort of thing I meant. Cheers, Giles -----Beryl the Peril (HPC) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Graham Perry Posted August 14, 2009 Share Posted August 14, 2009 I covered mine with Black GRP and mat years ago. Every few years I take it out and give it another light coat, so it remains nice and solid. Its still very light with the GRP all over it and is watertight. Its not pretty but is better than tape Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jonboylaw Posted August 14, 2009 Share Posted August 14, 2009 Giles, That stuff looks like it might be good on wishbones and roll cages ! *thumbup* It will be chip resistant and stops corrosion. Jon Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
myothercarsa2cv Posted August 14, 2009 Share Posted August 14, 2009 Cue a rush on fluo yellow for wishbones... John _________________________ Bugsy: '82 2cv6 (Back on the road!!! 😬) Talloulah: '08 1.6K Classic (Grubby ) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Z3MCJez Posted August 16, 2009 Author Share Posted August 16, 2009 Thanks. I'm going to try some of the "rubber spray" to see what happens. Graham - How easy is it to apply GRP and mat? I've got no experience, but this is what I was originally thinking. Jez Build Photos Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Slipper man Posted August 17, 2009 Share Posted August 17, 2009 I took mine to Oxted Trimming, who did a really professional job and made it look like origional fitment. Cant remember what it cost, but it was reasonable IIRC. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jonathan Russell Posted August 17, 2009 Share Posted August 17, 2009 Do not rush to cover in fibre glass as this stuff is a lot harder to get a neat finish than it looks. There is a product called progrip with is about 1.5mm thick foam, its strong comes in all colours and can be wrapped around edges, as used on windsurfing booms and comes in all sizes. It will take a bit of cutting etc, use contact adhesive to stick down. done. Best of luck. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Graham Perry Posted August 17, 2009 Share Posted August 17, 2009 Jonathan is right, it isn't easy to get a good finish and even then it will never be perfect. You do need to practice a bit as well as getting the mix dead right can be tricky Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jonboylaw Posted August 23, 2009 Share Posted August 23, 2009 I just sprayed my wishbones with that Rubber spray paint (in Black) and it looks pretty good. I stripped them with Nitromors and wirewool (what a PITA), painted on the primer and then gave them a few costs and Robert is your mother's brother... I will be doing the lower wishbones next week and will put some pictures up when I get around to it, but for about £7 it is good stuff, It adheres well, sets firm but still pliable. We will see how it stands up to the road rash next year when I finally get the car finished :) Jon ----------------------------------- She is back in my garage, ready for a re-build. 1992 LA, Xflow, Ford axle Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Z3MCJez Posted August 24, 2009 Author Share Posted August 24, 2009 I've got some of this in the post (primer and aerosol spray) to try it on a foam seat. I'd be interested to see the photos, but also for a write-up once you've used it in anger. I appreciate this may be some time. I'll do the same. Probably do the seat in a couple of weeks time. Jez Build Photos Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Area Representative gileshudson Posted August 24, 2009 Area Representative Share Posted August 24, 2009 John and Jez, I've just had to check back further up this thread on Page 1 and while I thought the suggestion I made in my first post made sense, I am glad that it read "Would that work?", seeing as you've both taken the plunge. 😬 Keep us posted when piccies available, won't you? Giles Beryl the Peril (HPC) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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