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After several years of sun exposure, the Bottomsiders cockpit cushions are showing wear and discoloration. Also, with off white cushioins, the cockpit is a bit like a solar oven. (Bottomsiders are closed cell foam with a heavy coating that effectively seals all the edges.)

I checked with the mfr and found they charge $300 or so to re-coat them. So, I will turn this into a DIY

Have any of you had luck recoating the cushions yourselves? What coating did you use?

jt

Welcome, first-timer! Yours is an interesting question, but I doubt you'll hear much advice. That's because few here (I think) have ever committed the investment to purchase closed-cell cushions. It follows then, that fewer still will have your problem of expensive cushions suffering from old-age.

I have a single closed-cell cushion, the helm-hump from C-Cushions. But having invested 150 bucks or so, it's stored in the cabin, suffering no significant UV exposure. I can't imagine exactly how they manage to apply such a durable coating, but also can't imagine there will be an easy, backyard alternative. Please be sure to post your solution.

My cushions came with the boat, bought used. It's a '97 and I don't know if the cushions are the same age, but the're several years old anyway. The snaps are pulling out here and there, but no problem with fabric wear. But I too always store them inside. Good luck! And Welcome!

Frank C wrote:... Yours is an interesting question, but I doubt you'll hear much advice. That's because few here (I think) have ever committed the investment to purchase closed-cell cushions. It follows then, that fewer still will have your problem of expensive cushions suffering from old-age.

I have a single closed-cell cushion, the helm-hump from C-Cushions. But having invested 150 bucks or so, it's stored in the cabin, suffering no significant UV exposure. I can't imagine exactly how they manage to apply such a durable coating, but also can't imagine there will be an easy, backyard alternative. Please be sure to post your solution.

We also bought the C-Cushions and unless you really rip them with something sharp, they seem like the coverings will last for ages.

However, I will say that if anyone considers buying them for themselves, avoid the colored pin-stripe trim on them... the colors smear with just suntan lotion!! Not nice, and not pretty.

i replaced the entire "inner's" of my cockpit cushions with 3/8" thick (stacked 9 high) closed cell foam material.

i actually got the idea from the square boat cushions that are sold at marine stores.
they are 12" x 12" x 3" thick. the "guts" of the typical square marine cushion is a 1/4" thickness closed cell foam that is "stacked" to attain the desired thickness.

why did i do it this way? COST!

much cheaper (about 1/3 of the cost) to purchase the closed cell foam material in a roll of 3/8" thick and stack to attain the desired height, than go with a 3-1/2" thick solid piece of closed cell foam material.

the pads are a bit firmer than normal, but i really like the results.

[quote="jimt-moscow"]After several years of sun exposure, the Bottomsiders cockpit cushions are showing wear and discoloration. Also, with off white cushioins, the cockpit is a bit like a solar oven. (Bottomsiders are closed cell foam with a heavy coating that effectively seals all the edges.)

I checked with the mfr and found they charge $300 or so to re-coat them. So, I will turn this into a DIY

Have any of you had luck recoating the cushions yourselves? What coating did you use?

jt[/quote]

two points:

1. I'm not a newcomer, just out of touch for a year or so.

2. Some of the stains came from a very nice bottle of merlot a friend spilled in the cockpit. The sun bleached the wine off the fiberglass. It soaked into the cushions. And, the mold really liked it.

In any case, they are a dingey off white. I'm thinking a darker color will reduce uv reflection. I also think the darker color will make the cockpit less like a solar oven.

You could look into outdoor funiture cushions. I have heard that these work well and are cheeper. Although they might not be the "exact" fit.
Has anybody used these?

Here is one option. Sorry, I can't seem to get the URL thing to work, so you'll have to paste the link. It is for sheets of closed cell foam from defender. They have it in several thicknesses...

http://www.defender.com/product.jsp?pat ... &id=365700

I have some from Defender that I cannot find right now. They are made of closed cell foam, with no cover. They work great... Obviously, I cannot speak to longevity...

When I had cushions made for my Mac, I elected to not use closed cell foam. (A) I was not going to use the cushions for a life saving device. (B) closed cell foam is very stiff. I wanted comfort.

The upholsterer I used is a stink potter who is kind to we folks of the rags. He said he uses non closed cell foam on his own boat, but uses Sunbrella as the cushion fabric. I did what he said and the cushions are great. The Sunbrella fabric is like a water shield. It cost a lot, but it is much cheaper than closed cell foam.

Since I have a white Mac, I used plain black Sunbrella. It looks great on the white boat with its black accent stripe. The overall look is incredible.

I just wanted to let you know that closed cell foam is not a must. There is another way.

Ray

How about just covering your old cushions with Sunbrella? The vinyl material gets too hot to sit on when you are wearing shorts in the summer anyway. My admiral always wound up sitting on a beach towel on top of the cushions.

I do not know of a way to do it yourself cover your closed cell foam....I am a wrestling coach and we have the mats recovered every 5-10 years....I know you are lost....well, wrestling mats are closed cell and are covered like yours. It is quite a process and I think you would really need to have special training with the materials to do it.....they apply a liquid vinyl, messy, potentially toxic....an idea...call a high school athletic director for a phone number of who reconditions their mats and see if the "mat man" has any ideas...........please post what you find out as it will be interesting. Randy

I poked around on line for coatings that will work on closed-cell foam. I found too much information, none specific enough for my purpose.

So, I checked in with a local manufacturer that makes whitewater rafts. They sell a paint for recoating vinyl ($200 per gallon) that is DIY friendly. And, as I was talking this over with the clerk, another customer offered me a partially-used gallon of the gunk.

So, I'm set. I will report back with results.

There is an Inflatable Boat Top Coating, available from West Marine, and others, in gray ( # 297087 ), as well as light gray, and white. It's very easy to use. Just brush it on. I think that might work.
I'm guessing it's very similar, if not identical to the stuff mentioned above by jimt-moscow.

jimt-moscow wrote:In any case, they are a dingey off white. I'm thinking a darker color will reduce uv reflection. I also think the darker color will make the cockpit less like a solar oven.

A darker color will reduce reflection, but it will make your cockpit more like a solar oven. Less light reflected == more light absorbed and converted to heat. You won't squint as much but you'll sweat a lot more and need some barbecue sauce for your thighs when wearing shorts.

lyd wrote:

jimt-moscow wrote:In any case, they are a dingey off white. I'm thinking a darker color will reduce uv reflection. I also think the darker color will make the cockpit less like a solar oven.

A darker color will reduce reflection, but it will make your cockpit more like a solar oven. Less light reflected == more light absorbed and converted to heat. You won't squint as much but you'll sweat a lot more and need some barbecue sauce for your thighs when wearing shorts.

Hi, and welcome to the forum.

Umm... but you do realise you're answering an almost 4-year-old posting? Chances are the OP may not see your answer.