The boot that came with Lucille is in very good condition, may not be original but it matches the top very well, good white color, tabs are good, etc. Except the foam started coming off, it was smushed and yellowed, not even sure if it all was there. I tried to reapply it with some 3M spray adhesive. Sprayed the boot and the foam, let them tack up, stuck them together. It held some for awhile - but eventually came off and I just pulled all of it. I thought that an auto upholstery type shop could put new foam in pretty quick and relatively inexpensively. This is just not one of those jobs I want to do myself - I'd make a mess of it. My Ford friend recommended a shop that has put interiors in his Fords (nice work!). I called this guy and he tells me that I'd be better off calling Year One and getting a new repro boot as they are "only" $187!! :shock: Seems to me the foam and supplies shouldn't be horribly costly and it would take a pro what? maybe 2 hours tops? (Would take me all freaking day and I'd end up glued to the thing! ) I can't see the sense in spending $200 on a new one, when the one I have just needs the foam. I enjoy spending money, but that's just silly! Is this more work than I'm assuming? Or should I call another shop?
I've done this and it is a very easy project, I suggest you reconsider doing it yourself. The reason your first attempt failed is because the foam is breaking down and crumbling. No glue can hold it. Here's how I did it: 1) Take a piece of paper and trace the shape. It's a simple shape like a fat comma. 2) Get some foam. Try fabric and sewing shops. You don't need more than 1/2 inch thick. 3) Trace your pattern on the new foam and cut inside the lines with scissors. Sharp scissors and patience will give you a nice edge, much better than a razor or knife. 4) Scrape off the old foam and glue with a scotchbrite pad. Get as much off without scarring the back of the cover. 5) Spray glue on the foam and cover and let it tack up 6) Stick the foam on the cover and admire your work. If you don't want to do the project you can do the time consuming steps that will seriously cut down the price. Make the template, clean off the old foam and glue and ask the shop to cut and glue new foam using your template. They've got the foam and glue and it'll take them 10 minutes. Good luck and let us know how it turns out.
That sounds great, but there is no longer anything to trace to make a template. All the foam is gone.
Annie, Can you take the boot and turn it inside out and trace it along the seams with some paper? I have never seen the inside of a boot, so I couldn't tell you what it looked like to begin with.
Good idea, I just need to know if the entire interior surface that would be considered the "inside top" is covered with foam? It was not when I got it, but I don't know what had previously disappeared. I know that it was not one continuous piece, as what was left there was in sections and looked as if it was made that way. Y'all are just convinced to get me covered in spray adhesive, aren't you?
I have my original boot, and it is just the sides that have the foam. It helps pad the top frame so it won't tear up the vinyl. If my car wasn't still in storage, I could take a picture :bglasses:
Checked my original today. The foam comes in 12" from the outside edge of the top boot. It runs from the very front all the way to the back of the boot.
