Using Expanding Foam in Arm Chair

[sewbeachy]

I have a chair I'm reupholstering and there is cardboard shaping the armrests.  I've considered removing but the shaping under the arm is nice and I don't know that I can recreate it.  It's not an expensive piece - just like the sitting style. 

The cardboard has collapsed a bit - there is a wood piece underneath to keep it from collapsing further.  I've been trying to think about how to push it up to return the curved shaped and I realized that this may be an interesting experiment using expanding foam. 

Anyone ever tried supporting the frame and contours using expandable foam spray?  I know I'd need to seal the gaps to keep it from coming out - I want it to expand and push out the curves.  I can pad it a bunch but I'm intrigued to see if this would work.

http://i1146.photobucket.com/albums/o535/sewbeachy/chair_zpsjqnrq7in.jpg

[SteveA]

Expanding foam is not a solution.  Remove the cardboard and check to see if there are enough wooden support rails under the cardboard - if not add rails - when complete re-attach the cardboard than you'll build up the curve with under-laying materials e.g. foam, dacron, cotton.

SA

[gene]

I might add jute webbing to the arms. Staple it at the front side of the arm and run it back through the chair frame, pull it tight with a web stretcher, and staple at the back. 4 or 5 rows of jute webbing would make a nice surface that follow the contour of the arm. Cover with foam or cotton.

I would not try to reuse that cardboard.

Love to hear what you decide to do along with a pic of the finished chair. 

gene

[sewbeachy]

Thanks! 

[Darren Henry]

" I would not try to reuse that cardboard. "

i have used jute webbing too, but for the last few years I've been using Herculite (Vintex , what ever your supplier calls it) pulled tight over a sufficient frame.

[65Buick]

Darren - like synthetic burlap, right?

[MinUph]

I think Darren is talking about synthetic webbing.

[Darren Henry]

No I'm talking about the 18 oz. tarp material with the fiberglass scrim in it. Comes in a 60" wide roll for making equipment covers and tarps etc..

Maybe Mojo or someone knows what it is most commonly called in the States. I get it from 3 different suppliers, and they all have a different name for it LOL.  [Zues,Sampson.Tarpaulin]

This stuff has zero stretch and you cannot tear it. I always have a bin full of remnants, so it's more or less free as well.

[RiCat]

Paul, if you ever want to try what Darren is talking about, ask Keystone about "K-Tex". I think it is about $10 yd. I use it for quite a few things..

Rick