Replacing bow seat foam

[averagemercruiserfan]

I'm in the process of replacing a curved bow seat in the front because the wood backing was rotted. The piece is all made up and is epoxied, next step is to attach the foam with a plastic covering to keep water from getting absorbed.

Some of the rotted wood is still attached to the back of the foam (just little pieces) the back of the foam looks a bit dark im assuming thats just from the dark rotted wood staying on the foam but while I was sanding the pieces off I noticed that the foam was smelling a bit raunchy.

A new piece same thickness and big enough to cut out a new piece is around 18usd. I'm wondering if other people have done this. Should I save my money and reuse the old piece or get a new one.

 

[Bondo]

Ayuh,........ 18 bucks sounds pretty cheap for new foam, I'd go for it,....

 

[bajaman123]

Invest in a cheap hot-wire knife, I think Harbor Freight has them...makes cutting foam a breeze, otherwise it sucks the big one...

 

[Scott Danforth]

an electric carving knife is cheaper than a hot-wire knife. all we used at work were garage sale buy electric carving knives. (usually $1)

 

[eggs712]

A 24 TPI hack saw blade works well if you don't want to buy a new tool.

 

[airshot]

I have always used a sharp fillet knife with no issues.

 

[cyclops222]

I use a serrated knife.

 

[Chris1956]

Gee, stick the old foam into a bucket of 50% bleach. It might be fine to reuse.

 

[airshot]

Gee, stick the old foam into a bucket of 50% bleach. It might be fine to reuse.

Will that just clean it, or will that rejuvenate the old foam ? Can't say I have heard that before........curious...

 

[Chris1956]

It will only clean it and kill mold and mildew. However, I have never had to replace foam when I made new cushions. Of course, I never let the sun get to it either.

 

[Drivewayboater2]

electric carving knife is the ticket.. I never told the wife I used it but it worked nice.

check out some YouTube videos on restoring foam. Many just use a steamer to rejuvenate and get rid of the raunchy smell.
Not sure that a couple pieces of wood on the old foam is gonna make a big difference.

 

[redneck joe]

I'll third or fourth the electric carving knive, i used a couple boats ago and get one for fileting fish so it does not sit in the garage for years not being used. Small fish are easy but when I order a whole fish 5 lbs plus the electric is nice.

 

[Pmt133]

Carving knife or the hacksaw blade. Works great. The thin stuff cuts fine with a good utility knife.

 

[redneck joe]

Carving knife or the hacksaw blade. Works great. The thin stuff cuts fine with a good utility knife.

True, and can be compressed a bit like house insulation

 

[averagemercruiserfan]

I sprayed a bunch of the starbrite mildew cleaner onto the foam and left it on the roof of my shed in the all day and it looks like it got the majority of it, no more smell or weird dark spots!