1975 cushions look great and appear in great condition as to wear and color, but have a crunchy feeling. Covers are stiff. Any way to soften them up without destroying the cover or foam?
Original cushions but covers hard crunchy
- Thread starter South Sagle Jim
- Start date
We struggled with 1990 cushions and finally bit the bullet and had an automotive upholstery shop make new covers and for the actual seat part, replace the foam. It was just under $1k but we are very pleased that we finally did it.
I suppose if you really liked them, you could have an upholstery shop clean them and if they don't fall apart, they may soften up.
I suppose if you really liked them, you could have an upholstery shop clean them and if they don't fall apart, they may soften up.
Take them to a pro laundry, dry cleaning, etc. these people clean foul things everyday, and will generally be able to give you an outcome, yay or nay..
My boat cost $1800!!! so no way I can dump in a grand for cushions before it launches. Gotta save $ because having had horses in my backcountry horsemen days I learned the the cheapest money you spend is when you buy the horse.
I like the idea of taking a cushion to a pro to get advice, but then I thought I might find some here so I will do my part keep the thread going as this has to be a common problem.
Those seventies cushions I have seen in many a boat photo and I guess its all about taking me back to when I had my 1975 VW camper van. Yeah I love the colors.
Mine was free (initial cost) but we wanted it to be nice and comfortable. The original material was not only uncomfortable but down right ugly. The seat cushions lost their cushiness. Granted there is no shortage of places to spend money on the boat. Personally I would invest in stuff that makes the boat perform better or allows me to be more at ease single handling, the admiral of course feels we need to have it all pretty. It's a compromise.
We could have and did buy the material. Maybe we could have done a few cushions at a time so we didn't spend it all at once. One would want to buy the material all at once tho so as not to find color and pattern differences or that it's been discontinued.
We could have and did buy the material. Maybe we could have done a few cushions at a time so we didn't spend it all at once. One would want to buy the material all at once tho so as not to find color and pattern differences or that it's been discontinued.
Went to a fabric store- bought upholstery fabric, scotch guarded, as remnants. Enough to do vee berth, settees, and settee backs- for under $100.
ten years and 10,000 miles ago
ten years and 10,000 miles ago
I had good success just washing the covers in the washing machine at home. I figured nothing to lose. They cleaned up nice, although they were still the same ugly plaid.
The Sail-Rite web site has an extensive selection of fabrics. You can order small samples. That's how I chose the fabric for my next boat.