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Blackdog76

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Discussion starter · #1 ·
I just ordered a set of TMI sport seat foams and cover ls for the front seats of my 67. I also added the matching rear cover. The cotton batting is on the upper is pretty good but the lower is completely destroyed. I noticed some on here do a mixture of cotton batting, foam, burlap etc... but I want to just do the foam upper and lower. Is that possible or do you need to build up the thickness here and there to get the shape?

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You do not need to do any building up with TMI foam. I would use the burlap though. It stops the springs from cutting in on the foam.
 
You need to cover the springs with burlap, so the foam is not torn by the thin spring wires when you sit on the seat.

The original burlap was reinforced with wires.

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Instead of burlap, I used vinyl. Rats prefer burlap over vinyl. Vinyl does not smell bad when it gets wet.

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The vinyl was reinforced with tig welding rods like the original burlap. The photo below shows the first rod being woven into the vinyl.

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There is more than one method to use when recovering the rear seats. If this is your first time recovering a seat, many mail order vendors sell complete kits for this project. They are expensive compared to buying the components at Hobby Lobby.
 
My upholstery guy says not to use burlap, notice its not used on the front. Thats old school and no one really uses it anymore. Its like a points distributer and bias belted tires, it works but foam is better. You can even watch Motortrend and its not used, but whatever floats your boat.
 
TMI covers are very tight with their foam. I personally wouldn't use foam. You need as much stretch as possible. Just my experience with TMI.
 
Discussion starter · #9 ·
I’m not talking about the front seats, I’m talking about the rear. TMI doesn’t supply the foam for the rear, just the covers, so I’m on my own for the filler. Probably going to keep the burlap with the wire and replace everything else. Going to derust the springs also.
 
I’m not talking about the front seats, I’m talking about the rear. TMI doesn’t supply the foam for the rear, just the covers, so I’m on my own for the filler. Probably going to keep the burlap with the wire and replace everything else. Going to derust the springs also.
So your rear cover is not a sports seat cover? Just a factory replacement cover? I'd you are using your original foams you may need the cotton or another type of filler to make them tight. I thought you were using TMI foam all around. Sorry for the confusion.
 
My existing rear padding was still good shape, but I added another 1" layer of pillow batting* to make up for 50yrs of being compressed. TMI rear cover went on fine...some muscle and stretching required as it should be. :) Since you're bottom is shot, I'm not sure what to recommend. Get something about as thick as the backrest, then add another inch, imo.

*edit; the 1" pillow batting I added was is very low density, fluffy stuff. Compresses down to 1/4" easily.

BTW, that fine wire woven in the burlap is available at Amazon fairly cheap. Usually they get pretty rusty. I do recommend it, contrary to some other folks.
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Discussion starter · #16 ·
The order showed up faster than expected but one of the bottom cushions for the front seat was poor quality so I sent it back. I used 2.75” high density foam for the rear backrest and a combination of foam, original cotton and pillow batting to fill out the lower rear. Front seats were just foam and covers so that was straight forward. The seats are in and mounted and look and feel great but with the stock springs they feel like a bounce house. It’s a modern look and feel but if I do any hard cornering I’m probably going to lean a bit with the seats...
 
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