Seat Foam

gibbo500 · 31 January 2010, 18:40

This has probably been asked many times before but what is the best type of foam to use on a rib jockey seat?

At the moment i have chipped foam but it seems to hold a lot of water and has lost it's support and only just over 6 months old.

Is there anything better out there or do i stick with chipped foam and possibly a waterproof cover?

Cheers

chewy · 31 January 2010, 18:41

Chipped foam seemed to be the thing to use when I was looking.

Hows things?

Chris · 31 January 2010, 18:49

Quote:

Originally Posted by gibbo500

This has probably been asked many times before but what is the best type of foam to use on a rib jockey seat?

At the moment i have chipped foam but it seems to hold a lot of water and has lost it's support and only just over 6 months old.

Is there anything better out there or do i stick with chipped foam and possibly a waterproof cover?

Cheers

Whn I had some pads made they bagged the chip foam in heat sealed bags.

Sonar · 31 January 2010, 18:52

Quote:

Originally Posted by gibbo500

This has probably been asked many times before but what is the best type of foam to use on a rib jockey seat?

At the moment i have chipped foam but it seems to hold a lot of water and has lost it's support and only just over 6 months old.

Is there anything better out there or do i stick with chipped foam and possibly a waterproof cover?

Cheers

I made a trip to a local foam supplies shop and ended up with two types of foam .
the bottom foam was slightly firmer than the top 2 inch layer.
Glued together before they were covered.
Still soft to sit on ..

willk · 31 January 2010, 19:00

PLEASE don't ask me where to get it ('cos I don't have a clue) but I gather you need a "closed cell" foam and then do a "Big Chris" on it and either seal it or wrap it in film before covering it. I'll be experimenting this season 'cos me seats are "end of life"

Leapy · 31 January 2010, 19:06

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sonar

I made a trip to a local foam supplies shop and ended up with two types of foam .
the bottom foam was slightly firmer than the top 2 inch layer.
Glued together before they were covered.
Still soft to sit on ..

This process is called "dual density foam" and is often used in more expensive cars to produce a seat that is both supportive and comfortable. It also helps in making you feel you are sat 'in' rather than 'on' a seat.

If you can manage the complexity of two foam types it's a good way to go

Mollers · 31 January 2010, 19:54

I have closed cell as recommended by the marine upholsterer whon did the job. It's a touch pricey, but wont hold water like regular foam. Dunno why you'd need to wrap it in anything though.

willk · 31 January 2010, 20:03

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mollers

Dunno why you'd need to wrap it in anything though.

"To be sure to be sure!"

Thanks Mollers, I could use your homolinear comedic support more often

chewy · 31 January 2010, 20:08

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mollers

I have closed cell as recommended by the marine upholsterer whon did the job. It's a touch pricey, but wont hold water like regular foam. Dunno why you'd need to wrap it in anything though.

In case the closed cells become open cells.

Mollers · 31 January 2010, 20:12

Quote:

Originally Posted by chewy

In case the closed cells become open cells.

How can that happen? If cut, water cant get beyond the one cut cell. Wrapping the whole issue in cling film is only likely to trap moisture and cause the seat to sweat. Only my opinion of course.

Dirk Diggler · 31 January 2010, 20:19

We've been here before, reticulating foam is what's used on high end rib seating.

Mollers · 31 January 2010, 20:23

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dirk Diggler

reticulating foam

Is this an Ann Summers product?

Dirk Diggler · 31 January 2010, 20:24

I'd have to ask the wife about that.

Your local upholsterer should be able to tell you a bit more about it, it's not cheap, but then quality never is.

Mollers · 31 January 2010, 20:28

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reticulated_foam
Porous.

chewy · 31 January 2010, 20:33

It shouldn't happen, can't see any harm in wrapping it in cling film as like you say the cells shouldn't open so the moisture in the "sweat" won't affect it.

Not sure whats in mine, the foam I bought I ended up sitting on when I did the antifouling.

Chris · 31 January 2010, 20:51

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mollers

Dunno why you'd need to wrap it in anything though.

Cause I was referring to chip foam.

Dirk Diggler · 31 January 2010, 21:27

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mollers

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reticulated_foam
Porous.

Will not hold any moisture at all!

butty · 01 February 2010, 06:39

the upholster i use, well both of them, use what they call quick dry foam as the base, which is quite hard and then stick another softer foam to the top and sides of it to make it more comfortable.

both the foams they use do no absorb water, which i think is the main concern.

this is used on all the seats i supply and on my curved composite back rests.

Sonar · 01 February 2010, 06:43

Quote:

Originally Posted by butty

the upholster i use, well both of them, use what they call quick dry foam as the base, which is quite hard and then stick another softer foam to the top and sides of it to make it more comfortable.

both the foams they use do no absorb water, which i think is the main concern.

this is used on all the seats i supply and on my curved composite back rests.

Could be the same stuff i used expensive but worth it.
as the underside of the seats have breather holes in them. they also let the air out as you sit on them.
There water proof.

Christopher · 01 February 2010, 07:54

In the course of constructing our air/foam tubes we have quite a lot of offcuts of closed cell polyethylene foam which unfortunately end up in the waste skip. We use two different weights which I believe would be ideal for the job, a soft one at 18kgs per cubic metre and a harder one at 33kgs. If anyone has a requirement and wants to call in and help themselves they are more than welcome. Collection only.

This is one of 15 tubes for the Italian Coastguard under construction which are 18 metres long with a 1 metre diameter, and constructed with an inner tube, 80mm thick closed cell foam and then covered with outer Hypalon covering.