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Triumph TR6 - TR6 seat foam replacement

Dear members: I'm a retiree, attempting to assist a daughter bring her TR6 into reasonable shape and have purchased seat foam kits from Peninsula imports here in Ontario. Unfortunately no instructions accompanied these kits. Before I begin I felt it prudent to ask more experienced hands as to some of the "do's and don't's". I'm advised that the vinyl seat skin will slip over the foam eaisier if I use the plastic covers used by drycleaners, but do the foam pieces have to be glued together first?
Any advice is greatly appreciated.

Paul Dawson, Kitchener, Ontario.
Paul Dawson

Hi Paul,
I have two word docs on re-doing your seats..if you send me an e-mail to chasballardblankrogersblankcom I can send them to you as they are not too big.
I'm in Kitchener also in the Chicopee area.
Just add the at and dot instead of the blanks for my e-mail
Cheers
Charlie
Charlie B.

Here's one link I have..

http://www.buckeyetriumphs.org/technical/Seats/ReupholsteringSeats.htm

Charlie
Charlie B.

Hi Paul

Not sure I can offer any help here since the "don't" I used was don't do it myself. But that was because I decided to have leather covers made for the seats and just had the upholsterer do the whole job.

I had them done by a guy in Brantford on Park road who I would recommend.

I work in Cambridge if you or your dauighter need any help on the project.

Good luck and remember to have fun :-)
Michael Petryschuk

Hi Michael: Thanks for your reply. I have had another gentleman (from Kitchener) send me some Information relative to replacing seat foam,and, since I have already purchase the foam kit I am going to give it a try. If I end up in a mess I may try your friend in Brantford.
Thanks again for your quick reply.

Best regards, Paul Dawson
Paul Dawson

Paul
You are getting good advice. I did my seats back in 2000 except I recovered and did not change the foam. I wish I had changed it now.

1. do one seat at a time so you have a visual pattern to follow.
2. definitely replace the diaphrams. This will make the seat bottom firmer.
3. Buy 3M general trim adhesive spray to help in the glueing of the material. FOLLOW INSTRUCTIONS. Keep in mind once you set the material with this glue it is not removable so do it right first time. This is the best glue for gluing material into place.

I just used thin plastic drop sheet material. Makes the material "slide" over the foam.

Finally agreed have fun.

Rick
Rick Crawford

Hi Rick:Thanks for your reply! I have put my mind at ease about taking on this project, owing to the fact that everyone has been so willing to help out a novice. I have taken note of your advice regarding the glue and the need to get it right the FIRST TIME! Thanks again for all of your advice.

best regards, Paul Dawson
Paul Dawson

Paul
Am I to understand you are not replacing the seat covers?
If not, you will find that the covers will have to be ripped off in some places where the material is glued down.

Rick
Rick Crawford

Hi Paul

I have just recently done my own seats. I intended to use the original covers with new foam cushions and replace the covers at a later date. On taking the old seats apart I found that you basically had to destroy the old foam cushions. Once I new this I felt it was false economy to reuse the old seat covers, as when it came time to replace them, I would also need to buy another set of new foam cushions. Save yourself some money and a whole lot of work and time and replace the seat covers to. One important tip: you will have to reshape and reduce the size of the masonite side pieces in the new cover set to get everything to fit and clip into place.

Colin
C J Norcott

Hi Colin

Thanks for your advice. This is my daughter's car and she insists I use the existing seat covers. They appear to be in excellent condition and I suspect that a previous owner changed them but not the foam.
you mention having redone your seats recently. Do you have any advice on replacing the seat diaphrams?
I am having a very difficult time in stretching it so I can hook the clips into the seat frame. I can probably devise a tool to ease the problem but am concerned that stretching it that far(about 1 inch), will lead to an early failure. The rubber material composing it is extremely difficult to stretch. Did you have a similiar experience when replacing your diaphrams?
Thanks again, Paul Dawson
Paul Dawson

Hi Paul
I seem to rember one way of stretching the rubber was to soak it boiling water for a couple of minutes..maybe I can drop by this coming week-end if you are around
Charlie
Charlie B.

Hi Charlie
For sure I'll be around! you just name the time. I'm at 40 Tami Ct. not too far from Lackner and Ottawa St.

I tied a hair dryer(useless!) then I considered the oven at low temperature but was uneasy about the fire hazard. never even thought of hot water!

Let me know what day and time works best for you.

Best regards, Paul
Paul Dawson

Hi Paul

Diaphragms are a bit tight but I started at the rear of the seat frame then attached both sides followed by the front. It helps if you lay the frame down on its back on some protective material on the ground. Then you can put your foot on the rear of the seat base and pull the clip into place using pliers.

Colin
C J Norcott

Hi Colin

Thanks for the tips! Charlie B. lives in my city and is coming over to give me a hand. I think I will try your idea along with charlie's "boiling water" idea to make this as simple an operation as possible.

Thanks again for your assistance!

best regards, Paul
Paul Dawson

This thread was discussed between 24/04/2012 and 12/05/2012

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