Seat foam

[T6_FunBus]

Greetings, I’ve replaced the seat foam for a pal on his T6 as his bolster was practically destroyed. The old foam fell apart when I removed it.

I fitted the seat foam he bought from eBay, but he said his seat is now rock solid lol.

I’ve taken the van round the block too, and it does feel really firm, compared to mine, it feels like I am sat higher, I definitely don’t sink into it, and I can feel more pressure on my sit bones too, so he isn’t imagining it.

It was advertised as ‘genuine vw seat foam’. It’s a very light off white colour, compared to the foam on my old seats I just removed (by just pressing from underside holes) mines way softer. But then, they’ve also been sat on for 140k miles lol.

Has anyone had any experience with replacing seat cushion? Is new foam a lot firmer and will softer / wear, or did he get a nasty rip off base? I mean it looked fine when I fitted it. The only thing I can comment on is it has like some weird red reinforcement / webbing underneath, and nothing printed on it. When I look on eBay genuine ones have some black mesh stuff.

Any clue? He’s currently driving around with a cushion on his seat sat on the roof lol.

I offered to swap my old seat foam over but tbh, that’s probably sagging too.

Cheers!

 

[T6_FunBus]

Here’s the one he bought:

Seat Cushion Foam for VW Transporter T6 Bus Box Multivan 7E0881375G | eBay

Orders placed by 3:00 p.m. will be shipped on the same working day Seat cushion foam for VW Transporter T6 Bus Box Multivan 7E0881375G Please compare whether this item is suitable for your vehicle BEFORE YOUR PURCHASE. If necessary, check the OEM (original manufacturer number) on your old part...

www.ebay.co.uk

And here’s what I see as genuine one, seems to have a pattern in the cushion?

VW Genuine T6.1 T6 T5.1 Transporter Seat Cushion Foam Padding New | eBay

<p>Genuine Vw T6.1 T6 T5.1 Transporter Seat Cushion Foam</p><br /><p>Newest Shape </p><br /><p>Driver or Passenger Side</p><br /><p>All in New Condition </p><br /><p>FIT ANY T5.1-T6.1 Standard Transporter Seat With Or Without Sensors Or Heat Element </p><br /><p>Fitting Service Available </p><br...

www.ebay.co.uk

The one we fitted defo didn’t have those marks in it…

 

[T6_FunBus]

I may have solved it.

I got an old t shirt and beat the shit out of the base where he sits with a rubber mallet

 

[T6_FunBus]

Right, it’s better but it’s still pretty firm compared to mine. The one I fitted that he got did not look like this one - was smooth on top, and nothing stamped in the bottom like these…

VW Genuine T6.1 T6 T5.1 Transporter Seat Cushion Foam Padding New | eBay

<p>Genuine Vw T6.1 T6 T5.1 Transporter Seat Cushion Foam</p><br /><p>Newest Shape </p><br /><p>Driver or Passenger Side</p><br /><p>All in New Condition </p><br /><p>FIT ANY T5.1-T6.1 Standard Transporter Seat With Or Without Sensors Or Heat Element </p><br /><p>Fitting Service Available </p><br...

www.ebay.co.uk

So for future ref beware, there are expensive fakes out there!

 

[T6_FunBus]

I ended up seeing what I could do with the old seat cushion as the seat was still very firm compared to mine even after a battery it with a mallet.

Here’s a comparison of the underside of an original and aftermarket…




The only difference on the top was a small ‘slice’ or cutout at the back, that odd looking pattern was in neither on top.

The aftermarket foam is solid compared to factory so beware!

What you can see here is a bolster repair I made. Pretty easy and good results just using what I had.

I pulled out the rotten / worn and collapsed bolster foam by hand, then cut suitable shape chunks out of memory foam I had laying around from making van cushions. Then used contact adhesive in the gap on the foam and massaged / manipulated it into the correct position and shape. I then stuck the mesh reinforcement down on the underside. And added a small foam / rubber strip to protect it and pad it out a bit more when pressed on the metal base.

The final layer was another larger block of foam, contact adhesive and stretch it over the bolster, then I cut it roughly to shape once glues on using scissors.

To make it look uniform I just needed a fabric layer on top, kind of like scrim foam but I didn’t have any, so I used some clean toweling (always have loads of towels and rags / material in the garage I save when we replace stuff!).

Contact adhesive on that with a stretch, cut around it and glued edges.





I then treated and wiped the top layer of foam with an anti enzym spray we have (for cat mess and such on carpets, cushions and fabric). Then stretched and refitted the original cover.



Voila, no saggy seat cover, and a puffy, non-collapsed and supportive side bolster

It’s in my garage waiting for my pal to collect but I think he’s gonna be happy, as the seat is SO much more comfy.