FYI FORD MustangSteve's Ford Mustang Forum / 65 Convertible - Padding that goes under the boot cover on each side

**Posted by Ron68** 5/03/2024 2:09 PM

I need a source or a template to make a set of foam rubber pads to go under the boot when it is installed to cushion the boot from the sharp edges of the top frame and latches on each side. Also to pad the rear ends of beauty queens sitting there during parades...
Has anyone make a set? My boot has no padding. I did an internet search and not finding much there.

**Posted by John Ha** 5/04/2024 5:35 AM

I measured one of the ones I bought long ago (both sides are the same). It's a piece of 1/2" thick foam that's 21-1/2 inches long, 12" wide at one end and 11-1/4" wide at the other end. The narrower end is formed in a "U" shape and stitched to another piece of foam that's 3-1/2" high and 5" wide. There's some kind of fabric or paper on the top where the boot will rest. I don't know exactly why it's there but it wasn't attached well.

I don't see why it couldn't be 12" wide at each end - the extra would hang over and help keep it in place.

I'm attaching some photos that will hopefully help you.

Feel free to ask if you need more information.

Last edited by John Ha (5/04/2024 5:42 AM)

**Posted by John Ha** 5/04/2024 5:37 AM

Forgot the photos

**Posted by Ron68** 5/04/2024 2:17 PM

Thanks very much, John! I will look into getting some foam and building some. I wonder if foam thicker than 1/2" would be better, or is the 1/2" sufficient to do the job?

**Posted by John Ha** 5/04/2024 2:37 PM

You're welcome.

On mine, the boot is really tight on the ends where the foam covers the ends of the frame, and I doubt I'd get all of the snaps to snap if the foam was thicker. Yours may be different. I can say that the 1/2" thickness seems completely adequate to protect the boot. I don't know if it would hold up well to someone sitting on it though. If that's in your plans a heavy, flexible plastic sheet inside the foam might be needed to keep the pointy parts of the top frame from poking through the foam.

**Posted by Ron68** 6/03/2024 5:12 PM

Well John (Ha), I got some 1/2” foam and some contact cement and cobbed something together using your pictures. Not that pretty but they are functional. Made the boot cover fit pretty good. Thanks again for the assist.

**Posted by John Ha** 6/04/2024 4:49 AM

Good job! Glad I could help.

**Posted by Nos681** 6/04/2024 7:03 AM

That turned out really nice.

I believe the white thin fabric…looks like the material used on underside of furniture like a couch or box spring for a bed.

The material allows the pieces to slide over each other to prevent damage and rolling/tipping the foam.
Also allows foam to breathe and not trap moisture.

I have seen similar material (heavy duty) used to create cheap hardware bags for new equipment just sewn and a zip tied shut.

Last edited by Nos681 (6/04/2024 7:11 AM)

**Posted by Ron68** 6/04/2024 1:28 PM

Nos681 wrote:
That turned out really nice.

I believe the white thin fabric…looks like the material used on underside of furniture like a couch or box spring for a bed.

The material allows the pieces to slide over each other to prevent damage and rolling/tipping the foam.
Also allows foam to breathe and not trap moisture.

I have seen similar material (heavy duty) used to create cheap hardware bags for new equipment just sewn and a zip tied shut.

I was tinkering with the thought of using some weed barrier cloth that I have left over from a yard project. It is breathable and tough. I only plan on using the foam covers when I have the top down, which is only for the day, and not long term. The 65 is garaged most of the time and I leave the top up so as not to get a "set" in the fabric and also keep creases from forming in the soft plastic back window.

**Posted by BobE** 6/05/2024 6:26 AM

Looks good, nice job.

**Posted by John Ha** 6/05/2024 7:26 AM

Ron68 wrote:
... also keep creases from forming in the soft plastic back window.

I was taught that before putting the top down, you unzip the window and lay it in the well without folds. I normally do that after I've unlatched but before it's fullly retracted. I put a large terry towel over the plastic window once it's in the well to help prevent abrasions from the top fabric. When you raise the top, you zip the window back in before latching the top back down at the front.

Last edited by John Ha (6/05/2024 7:29 AM)