Andy Moltu Posted January 14, 2022 Report Share Posted January 14, 2022 The vinyl on the 6 H frame has begun to disintegrate. Forgivable after 53 years. Got a leather cover for it. Unsure if to strip to bare metal and apply directly or over a thin layer of upholstery foam? Or should I put the cover over the existing tatty cover with a bit of filler where required? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
PodOne Posted January 14, 2022 Report Share Posted January 14, 2022 (edited) Just done the same job in vinyl. Stripped to bear metal and applied new foam as below worked out well. Pictures before I covered with vinyl. Edited January 14, 2022 by PodOne Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Andy Moltu Posted January 14, 2022 Author Report Share Posted January 14, 2022 Thanks. That was what I was thinking too. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
RogerH Posted January 14, 2022 Report Share Posted January 14, 2022 Hi Andy, I printed this this morning but forgot to press 'submit' put the cover on top of the existing vinyl. This will reduce a great amount of work. If you have a radio slot then cut the vinyl off where/if it folds back Roger Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Peter Wade Posted January 14, 2022 Report Share Posted January 14, 2022 3 hours ago, PodOne said: Just done the same job in vinyl. Stripped to bear metal and applied new foam as below worked out well. Pictures before I covered with vinyl. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Peter Wade Posted January 14, 2022 Report Share Posted January 14, 2022 Hi, Just about to carry out this task myself, can you tell what type of foam has been used and also what thickness. Regards Peter Quote Link to post Share on other sites
PodOne Posted January 14, 2022 Report Share Posted January 14, 2022 Hi Peter Had it on the shelf for a long time its 5mm thick and from memory a closed cell EVA foam which I was able to "sand" to get the edges nice and round. So quite firm once attached. Purchased off e Bay. Andy Quote Link to post Share on other sites
rcreweread Posted January 14, 2022 Report Share Posted January 14, 2022 Hi all - I've been experimenting with this problem for a while and it's the same for the crash pads, switch plinth and to a lesser extent the dash top. I've found leaving the foam intact as far as possible is easiest. I cut and open out any split plastic coverings with a sharp stanley knife until there is no raised area left, and then remove any crumbing foam underneath. Then I use a wood rot hardener ( From Toolstation/Screwfix) to soak into the surrounding foam to make it harder - you need to allow this to dry but don't oversoak it too much as it reacts a little with the foam and causes it to swell - once cured, I trim the area back to level. Then I fill the damaged areas with a flexible rubber type filler which is available from body shops ( used for repairing non metal bumpers) and sand tom a smooth finish matching all the relevant contours. You now have a solid and even base to cover. I use a local trimmer who has developed his own templates, and he uses a stitched seam along edges and contour changes to cover the items. Personally I like the stitched edges as I think it gives a more quality look and feel to the end result but I accept some people don't - I know this thread is about H frames but I successfully use this method on all the other bits as well. I've had some teething problems in finding the right glues but I think this is now cracked. Some photos attached of bits completed Cheers Rich Quote Link to post Share on other sites
stillp Posted January 15, 2022 Report Share Posted January 15, 2022 They do look good Rich. I filled to crumbling foam with silicone sealant and covered it with vinyl, but rather poorly. Yours look much better. Pete Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Peter Wade Posted January 15, 2022 Report Share Posted January 15, 2022 34 minutes ago, stillp said: They do look good Rich. I filled to crumbling foam with silicone sealant and covered it with vinyl, but rather poorly. Yours look much better. Pete 13 hours ago, rcreweread said: Hi all - I've been experimenting with this problem for a while and it's the same for the crash pads, switch plinth and to a lesser extent the dash top. I've found leaving the foam intact as far as possible is easiest. I cut and open out any split plastic coverings with a sharp stanley knife until there is no raised area left, and then remove any crumbing foam underneath. Then I use a wood rot hardener ( From Toolstation/Screwfix) to soak into the surrounding foam to make it harder - you need to allow this to dry but don't oversoak it too much as it reacts a little with the foam and causes it to swell - once cured, I trim the area back to level. Then I fill the damaged areas with a flexible rubber type filler which is available from body shops ( used for repairing non metal bumpers) and sand tom a smooth finish matching all the relevant contours. You now have a solid and even base to cover. I use a local trimmer who has developed his own templates, and he uses a stitched seam along edges and contour changes to cover the items. Personally I like the stitched edges as I think it gives a more quality look and feel to the end result but I accept some people don't - I know this thread is about H frames but I successfully use this method on all the other bits as well. I've had some teething problems in finding the right glues but I think this is now cracked. Some photos attached of bits completed Cheers Rich Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Peter Wade Posted January 15, 2022 Report Share Posted January 15, 2022 Rich they look great just hope mine looks as good, what adhesive did you use?. Peter Quote Link to post Share on other sites
rcreweread Posted January 15, 2022 Report Share Posted January 15, 2022 7 hours ago, Peter Wade said: Rich they look great just hope mine looks as good, what adhesive did you use?. Peter Peter - I settled on Alpha AF 178 Contact Adhesive from Woollies ( on Stuart's recommendation) or if you need to adjust the covers during glueing, Alpha Thixofix non drip contact adhesive, again from Woollies Cheers Rich Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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