[Tigers] Seat Cardboard

[Tod Brown]

A week or so ago, I asked if anyone had a source or a replacement for 
the cardboard used in the Tiger seats and, as usual, received a number 
of helpful replies.  Thanks to all for their suggestions.  The easiest 
seemed to be poster board, but I wanted something that might be a little 
more weather resistant.  Since I live in an area where there are a lot 
of boats, I thought one of the local shops that does upholstery for such 
might have some ideas, but that did not pan out.  I then spent a while 
walking around in the local Lowe's and found a couple of possibilities.  
Rande had suggested looking for some plastic sheets and I found a 
product called FRP (fiberglass reinforced plastic) which is .09 inch 
thick and comes in 4 x 8 sheets.  It's very flexible and even comes in 
two colors, white and beige.  I think it would work well.  However, it 
dawned on me as I wandered around that vinyl flooring would also make a 
good choice.  I looked at several samples in Lowe's and found that it 
comes in many thicknesses and is also pretty flexible.  I then 
remembered some leftover vinyl flooring I had found stashed away in my 
attic that was the previous owners' idea of appropriate floor covering 
for an 1820 New England cape circa 1970, but I just couldn't bring 
myself to use it, and took it to the transfer station instead, although 
it pained my Yankee sensibilities.  I think decorating trends from the 
1970's are best destroyed and forgotten wherever they may be found.  
Instead, I bought a remnant from a local flooring shop.  It takes about 
16 square feet.  I had saved the original cardboard, so I used them for 
templates and, in short order, had a new set of backings for my seats.  
The original cardboard has survived almost 45 years so I think the 
replacements will probably outlast the originals and most certainly the 
original owner.  My seats should be ready to go back in shortly.

Cheers,

Tod
B382002384LRXFE
TAC 0864