CD25 Shoulder Pads

D

Dora~Jean

Active member
I can finally check off another item off my list. I finished upholstering and installing shoulder pads for the passengers. It was low on my list because it doesn't affect ME! But I felt sorry for my guests having to lean against the hard, fiberglass wall and tuck their shoulder under the window frame. Very comfy now.

I made an identical pad for the rear seat just for symmetry, plus doubles as a nice head/backrest for sitting sideways. They are shaped like that to accommodate the reversable front seat backrest. I used high density foam.

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3M 4200, very tough stuff.

First I drilled the screw holes from the cushion backplate (3/8" plywood) through the 2x2 supports on the bench for good alignment. Then slotted the plywood holes for the large SS screw heads to pass through and slide into place for final assembly. Then painted all pieces with primer and a good exterior paint (2 coats), except for the 2x2 side to be glued.

I cleaned the cabin wall surfaces with alcohol thoroughly. Put 1/8-1/4" beads on the 2x2 supports (bare wood) with them assembled to the cushion backplates (no cushions yet), then glued in place and held tight against the wall with my extension boat hook pressing from other side of cabin. When glue was dry, I removed the backplates leaving the screws in place.

I upholstered the cushions, inserted the foam (cut with an electric knife), then stretched and stapled onto the backplates. Had to loosen the screws about 1/2 turn to allow for the fabric thickness on the backside, then pushed into place and down for a tight fit. About 10-15 hours of designing and measuring, about 8 hours to do the work!
 
Seabran wrote:
Nice job! Did you do the sewing yourself? I am going to look at do this also.
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Yes I did, thank you very much. I bought a Thompson Mini-Walking Foot industrial sewing machine new for $450 about 20 yrs ago, it has paid for itself many times over. I learned to upholster from my mom, she reupholstered antique couches, loveseats, divans and chairs to help out with the finances when I was growing up. I helped and watched everything I could. Didn't know I'd use it later in life, just interested.

...and the old coins and paraphenalia you'd find in some of the seat back bottoms, ohhhh if they could talk, and ohhhh if only I'd have kept them...
 
PAT PAT PAT -that was a pat on the back for a job well done , nice pics too, looks nice & comfy, great job.....
 
Hi Steve,
Yes, we agree, very nice idea and job. we saw it this PM b4 all the comments, but had to head out for dinner, so didn't get a chance to send our kudos until now.
Ms Pat likes it, it'll be on our project list for Knot Home.
thanks,
 
Great touch,, Steve. :thup :thup :thup

Now you've done it! I will have to figure out how to do this for Sea Angel.

Can you do this in blue??? :teeth :teeth

Art
 
One project done.

My version of the shoulder pads. Thanks to Steve (Dora Jean) for the idea and Camille (Berta's Boy) for the expert sewing.

I made the rear one rectangular to fill more of the space. Since the rear doesn't move like the front seat and since M likes to sit w/ her back there while we watch movies, it made sense.

2" thick, extra firm/dense foam, 1/2" ply, SS screws and 2X2s like Steve designed.

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The shoulder pads look great and professionally done. It's the kind of thing the factory might consider, even as an option.
 
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