Learn me - pouring a seat

I looked at a local Formula FST over the weekend as for some reason, the VW aircooled racecar contraptions facinate me. Turns out it's a good fit physically with tons of room in there, which is not something I was expecting. In fact there is too much room in there so in order for it to work for me, I would have to at least add seat cushions and ideally, pour a seat.

So, how does one pour a seat (yes, I know it's a matter of pouring 2 component foam into a garbage bag or similar and then it in it in the car)?

Exactly as you described. Mix ingredients in trash bag, sit on trash bag while in car, deal with the overwhelming heat as the chemicals react, sit there for a while, hope it doesn't overflow too bad, let it set, take it out, trim it up and wrap it in fabric or tape.

Sounds easy enough so even this caveman might be able to do it.

It sounds like there's a good chance for potential horror but 100% chance of awesome!

Is there a similar method of making ass molds for a motorcycle seat?

I am intrigued.

I've done it a couple of times. It's good to have a helper. The foam sets up pretty fast so you need to almost be sitting in the car before you start to pour (thus the need for a helper). Make sure the plastic bag is much bigger than you think you need. If it overflows the bag, it will be a mess. The stuff expands a lot and sticks like crazy to everything it touches - don't get it on your hootus . Wear old clothes. If you have long hair, think about a cheap painter's head sock to cover it so you don't get foam in it. I did a couple of dry runs without foam where I tried to sit in the car and imagine where I wanted to be when the seat was done. That helped me know how far back to lean,etc. when the foam was going in.

If you want to be able to get the seat out of the car (and you probably will want to for final shaping, etc.) be sure to put something in near the frame rails so the foam doesn't lock itself in place around the frame. I have used things like the green foam sheet from the hardware store to fill in those spaces.

Make sure you cover the seat in plastic before doing the pour in the bag. Expanding foam really sticks around if it gets on things.

Huckleberry wrote: Is there a similar method of making ass molds for a motorcycle seat? I am intrigued.

I've seen a thread on ADV aaaand a guy that did something similar.

Maybe search there?

I seem to remember JG did an article about pouring a seat for his F500/FMod project car. I can't tell if the article has been posted online.

GRM question - can you just use Great Stuff or equivalent?

In reply to Pete Gossett:

GRM answer - probably, like the answer to most GRM questions.

I think you should do this but contrived to go wrong in some fashion that soaks your lower extremities in foam. Of course the event should be video'd and posted so that it can become THE most viral video on the net!

The Heculiner- Hootus guy had actual female groupies and at least one marriage proposal, imagine what you could get with actual video.

All kidding aside, that E36 M3 is nasty and the fumes not so good. Be careful.

If you pour a thick seat the internal heat can get to 170ish. Wear thicker clothing to insulate yourself from the exotherm.

I used to make kayak seats this way. The perfect fit is a revelation! I used to saran-wrap myself and cut my way out, or use disposable painters overalls the same way. If you do it by yourself, make sure that you'll be able to get out without destroying the foam. I didn't find the heat that overwhelming - mildly kinky perhaps.

I've thought about pouring a foam seat into the empty space where a Miata seat goes.

Woody wrote: I've thought about pouring a foam seat into the empty space where a Miata seat goes.

You aren't the only one.

Has anyone ever done this for a two piece street car seat? I'd love for my hatchback-and-therefore-folds-forward seat to be molded for my behind.

Woody wrote: I've thought about pouring a foam seat into the empty space where a Miata seat goes.

That's how a S1 Europa seat was made.

this looked like an interesting option to the pour foam

Garvin motorsports

In reply to oldtin:

Thanks for the link, that looks very interesting!