Making a Seat

SPBRacing · 31 Dec 2006, 01:55 (Ref:1802032)

All
I want to make myself comfier in my car which has a fibreglass seat that doesn't fit right. I have been looking at the expansion foam etc that everybody sells. But I really wanted to see what other people have done as everybody has a view ?

graeme · 31 Dec 2006, 09:02 (Ref:1802090)

Some hints and tips at http://www.sjmmarsh.f2s.com/Caterham/Foam%20Seat.html

Or if you've lots of money, try an Indi-Seat - similar to two-pack foam (it's polystryrene (?) balls in "foam") but you can make test casts, so it's a bit easier, and supposed to give more impact protection.

Redracer77 · 31 Dec 2006, 11:15 (Ref:1802140)

this is something I need to do as well, cheers for the link it looks easier now I have read the site!!!

SPBRacing · 31 Dec 2006, 12:40 (Ref:1802162)

Thanks Graeme It all makes sense and seems to be easier than most have said.

Mackmot · 31 Dec 2006, 13:38 (Ref:1802192)

http://www.seatsportuk.co.uk/

Ask them

Sorry thats terrible

mattray · 31 Dec 2006, 14:35 (Ref:1802216)

a good tip I have always done which avoids a lot of potential mess is to pour the 2 liquids straight into the bag and mix them by squishing the bag. no need for a bucket and stirer that way.

In a single seater just tape cardboard over the belt fixings and any gaps like the fuel tank sides and go at it

Also best to start with a bit less then you think (as long as it goes up your back a bit you can always add more to get it to the top), a rough guess depending on how warm your workshop is would be for a seat from the top of your legs and most of the way up your back would be about 1/2 a bottle each. maybe a bit less.

Wayne I called Seatsport, they wernt impressed! Also Chris Peakock doesnt work there like you said!!

DSM · 31 Dec 2006, 17:26 (Ref:1802381)

[QUOTE=mattray]a good tip I have always done which avoids a lot of potential mess is to pour the 2 liquids straight into the bag and mix them by squishing the bag. no need for a bucket and stirer that way.
QUOTE]

IMO that's the way to failure. If the stuff isn't beginning to react a little before it goes in it doesn't expand well, in my experience, after making quite a few single seater seats now.

First use a BIG binliner or two taped together. Lay in place, after covering cables with card, and get as smoothly laid out as possible.

Pour 250ml of each into a, at least, 1 litre jug. Stir steadily, until it starts to foam (A few minutes, possibly, depending on ambient) then pour in to bottom of bag, Spread out by hand from outside, and sit driver in it!. This will hopefully do the lower bit.

Once it's set, mix another similar amount and pour down behind seated driver, making sure it makes contact with first mould. As long as the binliner is long enough it doesn't matter if it comes higher than shoulders, it can easily be cut back after.

Once fully set, wrestle out of car, trim and then cover in duct tape. Have it uphostered if you must, but tape works well.

Bob Pearson · 2 Jan 2007, 10:08 (Ref:1803250)

In case of disaster, always wear an old pair of overalls, not your best racesuit !!

ian_w · 2 Jan 2007, 20:00 (Ref:1804206)

Yep, wear old cloths. I also put one bin liner inside another to reduce the chance of bursting. As has been said, use large bin liners i.e. wheelie bin liners - std size ones just aren't big enough.

Once you've finished, the easiest way to cut it is with a wood saw.

tristancliffe · 4 Jan 2007, 14:07 (Ref:1806204)

I made a seat using the two-part foam back in August, and I was surprised how hot it got. Wearing thin old racing overalls, I actually got some small burns on my arse where the heat had blistered the skin! So be careful.

It was a cold day when we did it, and the instructions said it had to be done at 20°C, so we heated the two cans slightly (with the caps off) to get them to the correct temp. I suspect we over did it, and made the reaction quicker (and hotter) than it was meant to be.

The seat was rubbish anyway (I moved too much, and didn't squash it down enough), so we've got a fibreglass seat now that fits me like a glove, and is comfy even without padding.

The indi-seats are apparently very good if you can justify the cost.

Redracer77 · 4 Jan 2007, 14:09 (Ref:1806209)

on a single seater is it better to do it in two parts?

Do your arse and legs first and then the back? Or is it best to do 1 seat for all?

Triple J Motorsport · 4 Jan 2007, 14:36 (Ref:1806232)

I did that with my Mygale but the Ray I did in one go but it has all broken up now so will probably make in 2 or possibly 3 parts (front and both sides).

Makes finding a hugh bag unnessary!

£4 for a survival bag in Blacks and it is massive.

verglas · 4 Jan 2007, 19:10 (Ref:1806489)

...and this is the place to get the 2 part foam, far cheaper than your local motor factor etc...http://www.cfsnet.co.uk/acatalog/

Redracer77 · 4 Jan 2007, 19:32 (Ref:1806505)

Quote:

Originally Posted by verglas

...and this is the place to get the 2 part foam, far cheaper than your local motor factor etc...http://www.cfsnet.co.uk/acatalog/

Cheers for the link. How much do I need to make 2 seats?

Triple J Motorsport · 5 Jan 2007, 09:18 (Ref:1806863)

a litre of each (0.5 ltrs of each per seat) depends on how much room you have around you of course ie the Mygale took alot more than the Ray as the Ray has a kind of seat in it.

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