Horse Hair Body Pads

[ppeters914]

...my roadster had a frame-off resto before I got it, and they kept it original, putting the what looks like carpet/horsehair back! So as I contemplate yet another frame-off for paint - I want to put the right thing back in!

As I contemplate an eventual frame-off, I think -NOT- sticking with the original horsehair pads. If the material is the similar to the stuff Porsche used on 914s, it holds moisture creating a possible rust "hot spot." Most of the 914 folks replace with rubber, closed-cell neoprene, etc...same as some folks here.

[notoptoy]

What I meant by the right thing, was the right replacement, I do NOT want the horse hair pads.
Tom

[ppeters914]

What I meant by the right thing, was the right replacement, I do NOT want the horse hair pads.
Tom

[notoptoy]

OK, I checked my frame this weekend, and I was mistaken, there are NOT any pads near the front of my car as I had suspected. Therefore the drawing appears to be correct - many thanks to all!
Tom

[Skyman]

Hey, Tom. I dropped a sample in the mail to you. You should see it soon. If you like it, I will send the rest of the material.

Kyle

[notoptoy]

Fantastic! I really appreciate it!
Tom

[sports imports]

We use horse hair for our restorations. The only difference is we soak them in oil, wring them out and they are guaranteed not to absorb water.

Ross
sports imports

[ppeters914]

We use horse hair for our restorations. The only difference is we soak them in oil, wring them out and they are guaranteed not to absorb water.

Ross
sports imports

What type/kind of oil: motor, gear, ATF, peanut, canola.....????

[sports imports]

We use motor oil as gear oil stinks. 15-40 is our preferred choice. of course, any oil that wont attract bugs, rodents, and rust works...

Ross
sports imports

[Skyman]

Hey Ross, do you use the horse hair pad just because it was stock? I would think that there are better suited materials nowadays. I though of using a treated horse hair pad, and decided to go with an industrial grade closed cell foam. Won't absorb water, isn't harmed by oil or gas, and stays somewhat resilient over time.

Oh, BTW, the 67.5 horn button you sold me a ways back sure looks GOOD on my steering wheel. Damn that was a nice button!

Kyle

[sports imports]

We have tried many different solutions but found the horse worked best for our applications as it is readily available, inexpensive, easy to work with, and will not cause corrosion if treated properly. We leave the decision up to the individual customer but do recommend the oil soaked horse hair.

Ross
sport imports

[Gregs672000]

We should have a ready supply of oil soaked birds, shellfish, mammals, sand, rocks, trees etc pretty soon in the gulf... ok, off topic I know, it just popped into my head as I read this... a real tragidy. Prayers to all those folks and animals down there...

I used closed cell foam. My frame was rusted through where the pad (untreated mind you, not like Ross's) sat.

[SABLT194]

Where on earth does one find horsehair pads??

[sfdaugherty]

Where on earth does one find horsehair pads??

If I were a horse, I'd get real nervous if I saw a Datsun Roadster guy looking at me after reading this thread.

Shannon

[SABLT194]

Time to grab the straight razor and find me a horse.

Seriously, I googled Horsehair pads, carpet pads, etc. I can not find anyone that carries this stuff.

My guess is the horsehair works well because it has enough air spaces to dry out when it gets wet. I would be concerned about a solid synthetic material trapping moisture and then the inevitable rust would start.