Replacing foam in cushions

[Stu Jackson]

I've got a good source for foam replacement in some of my cushions.

Having difficulty in getting some of the 25 year old zippers to start moving to allow me to remove the old foam.

Any ideas to get the zippers loosened up without destroying them?

 

[Steve Dion]

Stu:

Why don't you remove the zippers and replace them with nylon ones?

 

[FastOlson]

Zipper Pulls and Foam

Stu:

Why don't you remove the zippers and replace them with nylon ones?

FWIW, when we bought our boat in '94, the old zipper pulls were mostly corroded away from salt air. The nylon zipper coils were still like new. It was possible to thread on (with some cursing...) some new zipper pulls. They cost under a buck @.
I was able to wash and line dry the old fabric covers.

Be sure to specify foam density at about 2.5. Most factory stock interiors had the cheaper 1.8, and it goes flat under your hip bone when trying to get a good night's sleep. We replaced the old flat foam (also partly because it was full of mildew) and still have great feeling cushions with no "bottoming out" all these years later.

Happy sitting and sleeping,
LB

 

[Allan12210]

Stu,

We managed to get a pretty corroded zipper on the dinghy seat pouch to move again with PB blaster of all things. Just be careful and only spritz it into the zipper as I am sure it can stain the fabric. Then after that works, we used a zipper lubricant. It looks like a silicone grease. Good luck.

Allan

 

[dscribner]

Stu,

Try just rapping them sharply with the handle of a butter knife. The handle is smooth so it won't damage anything and big enough so you won't miss. Rapping on the zipper can break the corrosion that's spanning the spaces between parts and teeth. Then spray with silicone. This worked on mine anyway. But then, it could have just been dumb luck.

 

[Stu Jackson]

Thanks, guys, will give PB B and my butter knife handle a try.

 

[Sumner]

I've got a good source for foam replacement in some of my cushions.

I can't help with the zippers, hopefully the other suggestions will help. I just wanted to also throw out a place where we have been getting foam at good prices...

http://www.thefoamfactory.com/

They have lots of different types to choose from and free shipping which is important for us as we live in the middle of No-Where, Utah. We have used the dryfast for the cockpit and the lux high quality for the V-berth and inside cushions. We like it in the 3 inch so well that we now have it for the V-berths in the Mac and Endeavour, our teardrop trailer, the Suburban bed and even our main bed at home. Now no matter where we go we are almost always sleeping on the same mattress.

They have another site that is labeled wholesale, but anyone can buy from it.....

http://www.foamdistributing.com/

....we are now ordering full sheets from that site as it is so much cheaper and they are so easy to cut with a $15 electric carving knife. We have been very satisfied with the foam and service.

You might of found better pricing...hope so...just thought I would throw these out there for a comparison,

Sum

Our Endeavour 37

Our Trips to Utah, Idaho, Canada, Florida

Our MacGregor S Pages

Mac-Venture Links

 

[higgs]

I am sold on close celled foam even inside covers. Not sure what your plans are, Stu.

 

[Stu Jackson]

I am sold on close celled foam even inside covers. Not sure what your plans are, Stu.

As I noted in the first post, I just want to replace the foam. The cushions themselves are in wonderful condition. It's just two or three of them in the saloon, the ones folks usually sit on more often than not, that could use a little additional oomph to eliminate the sag of the squashed old foam with new foam.

Each cushion has a zipper, and I need to open the zipper to get the foam out. I don't want to mess up the cushion, and hope to be able to reuse the zipper.