Installing a Gel Pad in the Rider Seat

Prior to installing the Seat Covers I bought from LUIMOTO, I installed a Gel Pad in the Riders Seat.

This is the pad I bought. It fits the seat perfectly. This pad came with the smoothing foam, others may not. It's available at any facbric stiore.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/321504726095?_trksid=p2060353.m2749.l2649&ssPageName=STRK:MEBIDX:IT

This is the first time I've done this. It's really not difficult. You just have to take your time. Took me about 2 1/2 hours, start to finish.

There are plenty of videos available on how to do the install, so I’ll just do a written re-cap:

You’ll need:

Flat blade screwdriver
Permanent marker
Ruler or other straight edge
Xacto knife or other razor knife
Single-sided razor blades and holder
3M Super 77 Spray Adhesive
1 sheet of 1/8” open-cell smoothing foam

1.) Remove the staples holding the seat cover on by using a flat blade screwdriver (+). I found that one of the Stubby ones works best, no need for pliers using this size.

2.) Mark the center of the seat at both ends and draw a line between the marks.

3.) Position the gel pad on the seat foam, center it and use a permanent marker to draw around the outer perimeter of the pad.

4.) Remove the pad and draw lines (front to back and side to side) ¾” apart on the seat until you have a grid drawn in.

5.) Use an Xacto knife, or equivalent, to cut along all of the lines you drew (make sure you cut INSIDE of the perimeter line, so there is no gap between the stock seat foam and the gel pad, once installed). You can also use an adjustable cutter and set it to about 1/8” LESS than the thickness of the gel pad. If using an Xacto knife just draw a line on it with permanent marker at the depth you want to cut and use that line and your index finger to act as a depth marker. You don’t have to be perfect. You’ll adjust the depth and even things out in step 7.

6.) Use a single-edged razor blade in a holder to cut out the squares of foam you have created by cutting along the lines (a small one like in my photo works best because you can get the whole thing in the cutout hole). It helps to pinch a couple foam squares and pull them back slightly to be able to cut easily. Once you have some cut out it gets easier. Try to cut only as deep as your line cuts are. NOTE: Changing the blade out for a fresh one a couple times will make things easier.

7.) You want the depth of the hole to be slightly less than the pad thickness because the pad will compress a bit when you do step 11, pulling it flush with the stock seat foam. You can use the razor blade to even things out by holding it almost flat and sawing it back and forth to shave bits of foam away until you get the right depth. Then use the razor blade to smooth out the surface by scraping it back and forth across the foam to remove tiny bits. You don’t need to go all OCD on this (unless that’s your nature, then go for it). NOTE: all of this makes a real mess. Keep a vacuum handy.

8.) Clean out the hole really well and test fit the pad. Adjust the foam surface as needed.

9.) Use the 3M Super 77 spray adhesive (or equivalent) to spray one side of the pad and also spray the hole you made in the seat where the pad will mount. Wait about 1 minute and install the pad carefully.


10.) Cut a piece of 1/8” open-cell smoothing foam slightly larger than the seat. Spray the seat and the top of the gel pad with the 3M 77. Let sit for 1 minute and then carefully smooth the foam out over the seat, wrapping it around to the edge of the plastic seat base. Let it sit for 5-10 minutes and then trim the foam back to the seat base line.

11.) Re-install the seat cover by using an air compressor and an air stapler. A staple gun is difficult to use to do this and is not recommended. You can always have any upholstery shop do this step for you. Shouldn’t cost much.

NOTE: I’ll document the install of the LUIMOTO covers this weekend and post it.

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