seat repair "what is it"?

[luckilu]

I am replacing the water damaged plywood seat in my 1994 wellcraft excel.I removed the old plywood and found that the foam pads (four of them)were covered with a type of plastic. It was torn. What is the function of the plastic.It could be to water proof the foam or protect the foam from friction of the vinyl seat.I found references to "slip ease" in this forum but I can not find any locally. Are there other materials that I could use or should I not cover the old foam?

 

[britisher]

Re: seat repair "what is it"?

Is it like a clear plastic sheet?
If so,then it's basically a waterproofing layer of plastic sheet between the foam and the vinyl. Most boat vinyl upholstery has multi-colored vinyl cushions, all stitched together to form the design. In reality all that does is put multiple holes in the vinyl and allow water through. So that's why the sheet is there. You can buy various densities of vinyl sheet from Lowe's/HD in the Paint section. I bought a sheet for my upholstery work.
My re-upholstery on the seats will be be solid white, no stitching on the surfaces to allow water through.

 

[Georgesalmon]

Re: seat repair "what is it"?

That plastic sheet if it is very thin is just used to help slide the foam into the cushion it really doesn't have a purpose beyond that. I guess it could help keep water out but that's not really why used. Just a manufacturing help because foam doesn't slide real good against the back side if the vinyl. Why you found it called "slip ease"

 

[tpenfield]

Re: seat repair "what is it"?

+1 ^^^ most likely used to allow the vinyl to 'slide' over the foam during installation. If you have ever tried to fit the vinyl coverings over upholstery foam, you know that it does not go easily without the plastic in between.

 

[bajaunderground]

Re: seat repair "what is it"?

Funny story about that...when I re-upholstered my Baja, I took the vinyl off the helm seat to see the state of cushions/frame work...what did I find? Dry cleaning plastic covers for shirts/pants/etc...mine was a 1982 and spent it's life in Colorado and Nebraska...so I know it was original?!

It had a name if a dry cleaner in Bucyrus, OH (Former home of Baja...and Checkmate). I forget name, but struck my funny!

~Brett

 

[V153]

Re: seat repair "what is it"?

+1 ^^^ most likely used to allow the vinyl to 'slide' over the foam during installation. If you have ever tried to fit the vinyl coverings over upholstery foam, you know that it does not go easily without the plastic in between.

There is an alternative: Silicone. Juice up the foam a lil, squirt some inside the cushion et voila! Works like a charm.

All that cheaters plastic does is create a moisture/vapor barrier. It doesn't allow the foam, or the material, to "breathe".

I've worked on some that had what looked like algae inside the plastic.

 

[V153]

Re: seat repair "what is it"?

It had a name if a dry cleaner in Bucyrus, OH (Former home of Baja...and Checkmate). I forget name, but struck my funny!

~Brett

That is funny but hey, whatever it takes. Bleve that's referred to as "upcycling" these days?

 

[Fireman431]

Re: seat repair "what is it"?

As an upholsterer, I can tell you that the plastic sheeting serves 2 purposes:

1) It does help the vinyl slip over the foam. Silicone helps, but that's not what you use in a marine environment.

2) It's supposed to be spray glued (lightly) to the top of the foam and leave the sides just lying loosly over the foam. It's there to shed water off of the foam and out of the vent holes (or expanded vinyl bottom). This allows the cushion to dry out if wet on the inside and it keeps the foam from becoming saturated with water and mildewing.

Standard plastic sheeting is not what you want. Although it will work, it will "crackle" when you sit on it. Slip-ease is very thin and has no noise associated with it when used correctly. Get it from almost any upholstery supply house (online) or drive to your local upholstery shop. You'll probably get it for free there.

 

[MRS]

Re: seat repair "what is it"?

Just go to Jo-ann's or even wally world sewing department and you see different thickness of vinyl for way cheap. That is what I used when I re-did my boat....

 

[smokeonthewater]

Re: seat repair "what is it"?

I've always been under the impression that it also is there to allow the vinyl to slip on the foam when you sit on it and help prevent abrasion/wear of the foam

 

[V153]

Re: seat repair "what is it"?

I reiterate. The plastic does nothing but exacerbate moisture problems. 'Least in my environment.

The silicone is for the initial installation of the foam. Not to serve as a lubricant against abrasion or wear. I've sewn hundreds of cushions and have yet to hear of an abrasion/wear problem?

I do suppose if'n the plastic was used as fireman suggests. ie. Tacked only to the top of the foam. It'd probly be okay. But most times I find the foam is totally encased in the stuff.