Thread: Compound curve backing material for upholstery

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I believe I read about this in the ancient past (more than 5 years ago). Someone was selling sheets of a rigid backing material for upholstery panels that was totally trick. This material was 1/8" to 3/16" thick, and was scored on one side into what looked like about 3/8" squares. This material became very flexible in 2 dimensions when it was wetted with a light mist of water. It could then be formed into compound curves, to follow the inner contours of a car body. It was impregnated with a chemical which became activated by the addition of this water mist, and caused the material to harden into these complex shapes. When it had dried for 2 or 3 hours, it could be removed (apparently it didn't want to stick to the interior panel it was formed on). Upholstery foam and upholstery could then be glued to it, and it became a complex shaped upholstery panel. I have done similar things with fiberglass matt and resin, but its a sticky nasty business at best.---Has anyone out there heard of this material I am thinking about---maybe a supplier???? I am about to start the rear panel/seatback for the roadster pickup, and this material would be a blessing.

Sorry Brian, I wish I knew too, I could use that stuff a lot ! I still do it the hard way.......water & Peg board & clamps. Works- but it's real slow & messy.
If you find this - how about posting it's name out there for us old knotheads from the caveman days....

Hambiskit---will do, if I find it. I think I read about it in a 70s era Rod Action or Street Rodder. In the story I read, they used it to make a solid pattern of a curved windshield, and were then cutting it down to fit a car with a chopped top, rather than taking "learn as you go" cuts on the actual windshield.----and yes Hambiskit, I did build all the cars I talk about.

I got a bunch of old 60's & 70's rod mags, and it seemed that I caught something in one of them along those lines.....maybe it's a glaziers tool- I'll check with some factory's that make custom glass, like eyebrow windows from customer patterns and see if they know of it's name.

Brian- I didn't realize that you started that thread, and I apoligize if I hurt your feelings in anyway. Like I said, I read all your threads that I see because you are one of the most creative rodders in here. I have no doubt that you have built as many as you say you have because I have been building them myself for 35 years, and I know a B.S.'er when I see them- you do very nice work & I loved the rolled pan. I haven't heard of anyone using cardboard patterns (other than me ) in a long time, and it was good to hear, which is why I started reading your threads.
I hope we can get passed this Bubba, I like knowing people that I can talk straight with, and talk straight to me. I re-read what all was said & I'd told me to "bump" off too. But ya was whinin' and it started an avalanche- so by the time I got to the end it was just more than I could stand. My knee-jerk reaction was not directed at you.......I hope that you understand........

Hambiskit---I'm Cool Even us old guys get pissed off sometimes. One of the best tools I ever bought was my cheapo glue gun. I just hate cutting up good material, only to find that I screwed up the pattern and wasted a sheet of "Unobtainium". On anything that is going to require a trick pattern, I make a rough undersized pattern out of cheap plywood or particleboard, dummy it into position, then cut approximate 1" x 2" peices of construction cardboard and glue them to the undersize pattern, with the 2" edge against whatever the pattern is for. In a tight radius situation, I put the 1" side against what I am patterning. The hot melt glue dries almost instantly, and gives me a perfect "on size" pattern.

Duck tape, razor knife, tape measure, magic marker.
Some of the best fab. tools I own. I make alot of fender flairs from patterns that way, and I always say-"I'm gonna keep that one for the next time I do one of these" and lose it everytime.
But that's ok......I'll just make another one.
Have you thought about cutting down a bench seat, re-welding the wires, and making it curve around to contour the bucket? That would be sweet too, and diamond tuck it. Just a thought, I'm only 225 but i know a hard bench would wear on my backsides pretty quick.

Hambiskit---I lucked out and found that I could use the bucket seats that came with the project by modifying the seat adjuster tracks. I had posted a picture of the seats in the roadster pickup this morning under the heading Wow!!! I got seats that fit!!! but for some reason its not on the website now.

I noticed that- I replied to Don's query about his seating, and when I posted it came back as an invalid thread!
I'm glad you we're able to work it out with the old seats, although I was looking forward to the creation of the wrap around duel buckets (kinda like the early model T-birds ).