Mustang Market's Foam, Carpet and Door Panels.

[Marks1]

Hi everyone, I am recovering our 72 Mustang seats and think I should replace the foam. Has anyone here used Mustang Market's Foam, Carpet and Door Panels. They seem like they are factory direct, in other words, they make their own products.

 

[Sheriff41]

I have the door panels. Got them 30-some years ago. They took some patience and work to get all trimmed right. They've held up well. Mine are black so worry matching colors, though I know of one member on here had issues with the red ones matching. I can't speak to the other products.

 

[Marks1]

I have the door panels. Got them 30-some years ago. They took some patience and work to get all trimmed right. They've held up well. Mine are black so worry matching colors, though I know of one member on here had issues with the red ones matching. I can't speak to the other products.

Thank you Sheriff41, (I'm sorry, I don't know your name, something that has kind of bugged me about this site for a while, that no one ever seems to sign their name) Mine is fairly obvious, but I'll sign it anyway. Mark

 

[Sheriff41]

No worries Mark. Some folks call me Chuck.

 

[Marks1]

No worries Mark. Some folks call me Chuck.

And so will I then !! LOL

 

[70cobrascj]

Deluxe or standard door panels?
As far as seat foam goes NPD has the best ones with the heavy wires already embedded in the foam. They cost more but are the best.

 

[Rick@NPD]

Door panels, yes, they do them in-house.

Carpet, no, that'll be ACC. I believe. But shoot, you'd really have to ask them bluntly about it. Molding carpet is no small/easy deal, especially if the molded Mach 1 inserts have to be molded (expensive tooling) and dielectrically bonded.

Foam? I'm unsure if they do their own. Regardless, as was mentioned above, American Cushion Industries (ACI) is the gold standard for foam, both in construction, and in chemistry (sponginess, durability of maintaining shape/memory, not pancaking or rotting in short order). It's what we carry.

 

[Marks1]

Deluxe or standard door panels?
As far as seat foam goes NPD has the best ones with the heavy wires already embedded in the foam. They cost more but are the best.

It's a 72 Vert, so deluxe, (in white) on the question of which door panels.
I've been thinking a lot about this since I started this post, because I thought there would be more compelling arguments then the few responses so far. I expected someone would say, I tried them and they suck !! or, I have them and they feel great ! but so far, other than Chucks actual report of years of successful use with his door panels, though they were tough to fit, with all due respect, it seems purely just biased opinion, without anecdotal evidence. The NPD foam cost, by a lot more, than the Mustang Market foam, ($194.00 versus $130.00), but how much of that is because they are not factory direct, as it appears that Mustang Market is? ACI doesn't sell direct to the public. NPD is a retailer from what I can tell, because they say they are selling ACI, not their own brand. There may even be a middleman that they buy from as well, or maybe they are the middleman for places like West Coast Cougar etc, I don't know. But each layer adds their own profit, which of course is fine, and the American way, but adds cost to the end user. Mustang Market says they are an official Ford licensed reproducer, and make their own foam in their Virginia factory, so if that's true, how bad can they be? It doesn't seem like Ford would want to hurt their legacy by approving a sub standard supplier. And then, if the quality of the ACI/NPD brand is better, how much will the difference in quality really matter, on a car, that in reality, we will drive four or five times a year. I'm just not sure it will.

 

[rackerm]

Hi everyone, I am having our seats recovered, and think I should have the foam replaced. Has anyone here used Mustang Market's Foam, Carpet and Door Panels. They seem like they are factory direct, in other words, they make their own products.

I bought Mustang Markets door panels on my 70. I had them paint them Vermillion. They "bake" afterwards which helps with paint adherence. I am very happy with them.

 

[70cobrascj]

It's a 72 Vert, so deluxe, (in white) on the question of which door panels.
I've been thinking a lot about this since I started this post, because I thought there would be more compelling arguments then the few responses so far. I expected someone would say, I tried them and they suck !! or, I have them and they feel great ! but so far, other than Chucks actual report of years of successful use with his door panels, though they were tough to fit, with all due respect, it seems purely just biased opinion, without anecdotal evidence. The NPD foam cost, by a lot more, than the Mustang Market foam, ($194.00 versus $130.00), but how much of that is because they are not factory direct, as it appears that Mustang Market is? ACI doesn't sell direct to the public. NPD is a retailer from what I can tell, because they say they are selling ACI, not their own brand. There may even be a middleman that they buy from as well, or maybe they are the middleman for places like West Coast Cougar etc, I don't know. But each layer adds their own profit, which of course is fine, and the American way, but adds cost to the end user. Mustang Market says they are an official Ford licensed reproducer, and make their own foam in their Virginia factory, so if that's true, how bad can they be? It doesn't seem like Ford would want to hurt their legacy by approving a sub standard supplier. And then, if the quality of the ACI/NPD brand is better, how much will the difference in quality really matter, on a car, that in reality, we will drive four or five times a year. I'm just not sure it will.

You are not taking in the fact about the wire frames that embedded in the foam from ACI. Go take a seat apart and you will see what I’m talking about. The wire frame in the cushion is what the hog rings get attached to and are what give the seat cushions their shape. I bought the TMI foam and it didn’t have the wire frames installed and I wish I would have bought the ACI. I doubt MM owns the plant that makes the foam they sell they more than likely have a contract from an established business.
It seems you have your mine already made up. Buy what you feel is in your budget.
I’m a firm believer in you get what you pay for.

 

[Rick@NPD]

It's a 72 Vert, so deluxe, (in white) on the question of which door panels.
I've been thinking a lot about this since I started this post, because I thought there would be more compelling arguments then the few responses so far. I expected someone would say, I tried them and they suck !! or, I have them and they feel great ! but so far, other than Chucks actual report of years of successful use with his door panels, though they were tough to fit, with all due respect, it seems purely just biased opinion, without anecdotal evidence. The NPD foam cost, by a lot more, than the Mustang Market foam, ($194.00 versus $130.00), but how much of that is because they are not factory direct, as it appears that Mustang Market is? ACI doesn't sell direct to the public. NPD is a retailer from what I can tell, because they say they are selling ACI, not their own brand. There may even be a middleman that they buy from as well, or maybe they are the middleman for places like West Coast Cougar etc, I don't know. But each layer adds their own profit, which of course is fine, and the American way, but adds cost to the end user. Mustang Market says they are an official Ford licensed reproducer, and make their own foam in their Virginia factory, so if that's true, how bad can they be? It doesn't seem like Ford would want to hurt their legacy by approving a sub standard supplier. And then, if the quality of the ACI/NPD brand is better, how much will the difference in quality really matter, on a car, that in reality, we will drive four or five times a year. I'm just not sure it will.

I assure you, I'm not here to grift business. Just trying to help answer your questions and provide sound advice. Mustang Market is a decades-long supplier of ours (NPD), and they're good folks, so I'm just trying to be honest while looking out for your best interests.

I went on the website, and they are using ACC's (Auto Custom Carpet) 100% nylon loop color codes, so I would deduce that they are offering ACC nylon carpet. If it were my car, I'd be opting for ACC Raylon loop. And bear with me here. Originally, your 1972 Mustang came with nylon loop carpet. 1967-earlier Mustangs came with 80/20 Nylon/Rayon carpet. So from an intuitive knee-jerk standpoint, one would be inclined to install the nylon. But here's the backstory. 20+ years ago the only factory in the U.S. that produced Rayon, closed up. And Rayon produced overseas was wildly more expensive. So Dorsett (the company that actually produces the raw carpeting) discontinued offering 80/20, and they developed a NEW loop carpeting that they called "Raylon". That word makes you think "Rayon", so you would be inclined to think "that's not correct for my '72". But here's the secret. Raylon is a 100% nylon carpet. BUT... It is very much improved over the old bottom-line Dorsett/ACC nylon. Raylon has twisted loops, and the loops are tufted in a random pattern, EXACTLY like every 65-73 carpet you'll ever see, be it 80/20 or 100% nylon. The ACC nylon offering (which is what Mustang Market is selling) does not have a twisted loop, and the loops are oriented in rows, aka "corn-rows".

So, bottom line, Raylon is a bit more expensive, but it's a 100% nylon thread, and it far-better resembles the original carpet that would have come in your '72.

Now, seat foam... It's not something that you want to price-shop. The quality of the foam is not just the shape, it's the actual chemistry of the foam and the characteristics of the foam. ACI utilizes a Dupont foam that is specially formulated for them, it's their own proprietary formula, and for almost 40 years now, it's simply the gold-standard. You'll do your seats once, and never have to do them again. Other foams out there, some are stiffer, some are softer, but none that I've ever seen pass the test of time.... They'll either pancake (like a cheap sofa caving under where your butt sits on it every day), or come apart underneath your upholstery. My Michigan store manager has been professionally installing upholstery for our customers for over 20 years, nights and weekends. He's used EVERY foam out there. And nothing comes close, nothing approaches the ACI. NPD isn't the only place that sells it, so if you can find it cheaper elsewhere, by all means... But this is one enthusiast to another, don't put new upholstery over cheap foam.

Sorry so long, I get going and have a hard time stopping LOL...

 

[Marks1]

You are not taking in the fact about the wire frames that embedded in the foam from ACI. Go take a seat apart and you will see what I’m talking about. The wire frame in the cushion is what the hog rings get attached to and are what give the seat cushions their shape. I bought the TMI foam and it didn’t have the wire frames installed and I wish I would have bought the ACI. I doubt MM owns the plant that makes the foam they sell they more than likely have a contract from an established business.
It seems you have your mine already made up. Buy what you feel is in your budget.
I’m a firm believer in you get what you pay for.

I don't at all have my mind made up, LOL. that's the reason for the post. I have recovered my own seats several times, Chevelle Astro Buckets, Chevelle front and rear bench, Blazer CST custom buckets and bench, 65 Impala buckets with 57 Chevy material, and now doing the Mustangs buckets. So yes, I have removed and replaced the listing wires, and even had to make some out of coat hangers due to being rotted out on the rusty Astro buckets for the Chevelle. Really not very hard to do at all, just time consuming. .

 

[Marks1]

I assure you, I'm not here to grift business. Just trying to help answer your questions and provide sound advice. Mustang Market is a decades-long supplier of ours (NPD), and they're good folks, so I'm just trying to be honest while looking out for your best interests.

I went on the website, and they are using ACC's (Auto Custom Carpet) 100% nylon loop color codes, so I would deduce that they are offering ACC nylon carpet. If it were my car, I'd be opting for ACC Raylon loop. And bear with me here. Originally, your 1972 Mustang came with nylon loop carpet. 1967-earlier Mustangs came with 80/20 Nylon/Rayon carpet. So from an intuitive knee-jerk standpoint, one would be inclined to install the nylon. But here's the backstory. 20+ years ago the only factory in the U.S. that produced Rayon, closed up. And Rayon produced overseas was wildly more expensive. So Dorsett (the company that actually produces the raw carpeting) discontinued offering 80/20, and they developed a NEW loop carpeting that they called "Raylon". That word makes you think "Rayon", so you would be inclined to think "that's not correct for my '72". But here's the secret. Raylon is a 100% nylon carpet. BUT... It is very much improved over the old bottom-line Dorsett/ACC nylon. Raylon has twisted loops, and the loops are tufted in a random pattern, EXACTLY like every 65-73 carpet you'll ever see, be it 80/20 or 100% nylon. The ACC nylon offering (which is what Mustang Market is selling) does not have a twisted loop, and the loops are oriented in rows, aka "corn-rows".

So, bottom line, Raylon is a bit more expensive, but it's a 100% nylon thread, and it far-better resembles the original carpet that would have come in your '72.

Now, seat foam... It's not something that you want to price-shop. The quality of the foam is not just the shape, it's the actual chemistry of the foam and the characteristics of the foam. ACI utilizes a Dupont foam that is specially formulated for them, it's their own proprietary formula, and for almost 40 years now, it's simply the gold-standard. You'll do your seats once, and never have to do them again. Other foams out there, some are stiffer, some are softer, but none that I've ever seen pass the test of time.... They'll either pancake (like a cheap sofa caving under where your butt sits on it every day), or come apart underneath your upholstery. My Michigan store manager has been professionally installing upholstery for our customers for over 20 years, nights and weekends. He's used EVERY foam out there. And nothing comes close, nothing approaches the ACI. NPD isn't the only place that sells it, so if you can find it cheaper elsewhere, by all means... But this is one enthusiast to another, don't put new upholstery over cheap foam.

Sorry so long, I get going and have a hard time stopping LOL...

Rick, Thank you for that GREAT explanation, you have convinced me on both the carpets and the seat foam to go with what you are selling. Now, it seems like MM makes a really nice door panel for the Deluxe interior. Would you agree, or do you prefer another for that one too?

 

[Marks1]

I bought Mustang Markets door panels on my 70. I had them paint them Vermillion. They "bake" afterwards which helps with paint adherence. I am very happy with them.

Beautiful Rich !! Nice job !!

 

[Rick@NPD]

Rick, Thank you for that GREAT explanation, you have convinced me on both the carpets and the seat foam to go with what you are selling. Now, it seems like MM makes a really nice door panel for the Deluxe interior. Would you agree, or do you prefer another for that one too?

I have not seen the MM door panels in quite some time, but they have ALWAYS been known to make a nice door panel. Whether or not they are better than TMI (which is what we currently carry), I'd really have to look at side-by-side. So I can't really help you there I'm afraid. We used to carry them long ago, then we moved to Dashes Direct (Universal Urethane) because I felt (at that time) it was a better overall panel weighing the positives against the negatives, and then more recently TMI came out with their versions of the 69-70 and 71-73 panels, and I feel very strongly that TMI knocked it out of the park. We carry TMI as our premium offering, and Dashes Direct as our economy offering.

So I haven't laid hands or eyes on a Mustang Market set in many years. I do recall that they were extremely soft and "poofy", which many hobbyists think they are "supposed" to be.. Well, I disagree vehemently with that. If you touch and press around on an NOS panel (which I have), or a panel in an extreme-low-mile unrestored car (of which I have several), you discover that the deluxe panels are actually quite firm to the touch. It is my suspicion that the expectation of soft-and-pillowy comes from the reality that most old/original panels have been so tortured by the elements of heat and humidity and age, that the foam behind the vinyl surface literally ROTS, and what began life as a very firm panel degrades into a panel that goes "mush" when you press on it. That's my theory. But if you feel the deluxe panels in my 500 original mile '73 XR-7 convertible, they are not soft, mushy or plush. They are quite firm.

TMI's 69-70 and 71-73 door panels are pretty much the "newest" reproductions on the market, and they really did a wonderful job at nailing the texture and the crisp details of an original panel. I am most familiar with the 69-70's though, on a comparative basis. The TMI 69-70's are the only reproduction panels that get the subtle edged surface correct on the contour that surrounds the woodgrain panel. There's plenty of other crisp details that they nailed, that are muddy and washed-out on the softer/cushier reproductions. So I'm a TMI fan in that respect. Once installed, they best-emulate a brand-new Ford panel. But they're pricey.

And again, it's been years since I've inspected a set from Mustang Market, who knows how they might have evolved.

 

[rackerm]

Beautiful Rich !! Nice job !!

Let me add to my previous post, I ordered my new Vermillion seat covers with the enhanced bolsters and foam from TMI and they are fantastic. I also special ordered TMI's door panels with them requesting that the window crank holes and drivers side remote mirror hole not be punched out, since I installed power wi dows and powered side view mirrors. The salesman put in writing that was no problem. Mustang Market told me they could eliminate the holes, but the depression for the remote mirror bezel would still be present.

TMI's panel are more expensive, I would need to paint them Vermillion since they come in black or white, maybe other colors for some models/years. I bought them based their reputation for quality and the salemens promise. When received the white panels they had punched out the one hole for the window remote mirror hole.

Needless to say I was disappointed. Since they did not deliver what i ordered, I decided to return them and buy the Mustang Markets panels without the holes punched and painted Vermillion for less money than TMI's. I have no issue with TMI's products, they are priced higher. Whereas M.M. special order."No Holes" panels I received were, in my opinion are as good as TMI's I received, and csme painted for less cash. Not knocking TMI, just sharing my experience with both companies.

 

[70cobrascj]

Let me add to my previous post, I ordered my new Vermillion seat covers with the enhanced bolsters and foam from TMI and they are fantastic. I also special ordered TMI's door panels with them requesting that the window crank holes and drivers side remote mirror hole not be punched out, since I installed power wi dows and powered side view mirrors. The salesman put in writing that was no problem. Mustang Market told me they could eliminate the holes, but the depression for the remote mirror bezel would still be present.

TMI's panel are more expensive, I would need to paint them Vermillion since they come in black or white, maybe other colors for some models/years. I bought them based their reputation for quality and the salemens promise. When received the white panels they had punched out the one hole for the window remote mirror hole.

Needless to say I was disappointed. Since they did not deliver what i ordered, I decided to return them and buy the Mustang Markets panels without the holes punched and painted Vermillion for less money than TMI's. I have no issue with TMI's products, they are priced higher. Whereas M.M. special order."No Holes" panels I received were, in my opinion are as good as TMI's I received, and csme painted for less cash. Not knocking TMI, just sharing my experience with both companies.View attachment 75411

That’s odd you would have to paint the TMI ones because they offer Vermillion along with blue, black and white. TMI seems like a decent company to deal with and I know you can send them NOS material and they will make seat covers out of it for you.

 

[70cobrascj]

I assure you, I'm not here to grift business. Just trying to help answer your questions and provide sound advice. Mustang Market is a decades-long supplier of ours (NPD), and they're good folks, so I'm just trying to be honest while looking out for your best interests.

I went on the website, and they are using ACC's (Auto Custom Carpet) 100% nylon loop color codes, so I would deduce that they are offering ACC nylon carpet. If it were my car, I'd be opting for ACC Raylon loop. And bear with me here. Originally, your 1972 Mustang came with nylon loop carpet. 1967-earlier Mustangs came with 80/20 Nylon/Rayon carpet. So from an intuitive knee-jerk standpoint, one would be inclined to install the nylon. But here's the backstory. 20+ years ago the only factory in the U.S. that produced Rayon, closed up. And Rayon produced overseas was wildly more expensive. So Dorsett (the company that actually produces the raw carpeting) discontinued offering 80/20, and they developed a NEW loop carpeting that they called "Raylon". That word makes you think "Rayon", so you would be inclined to think "that's not correct for my '72". But here's the secret. Raylon is a 100% nylon carpet. BUT... It is very much improved over the old bottom-line Dorsett/ACC nylon. Raylon has twisted loops, and the loops are tufted in a random pattern, EXACTLY like every 65-73 carpet you'll ever see, be it 80/20 or 100% nylon. The ACC nylon offering (which is what Mustang Market is selling) does not have a twisted loop, and the loops are oriented in rows, aka "corn-rows".

So, bottom line, Raylon is a bit more expensive, but it's a 100% nylon thread, and it far-better resembles the original carpet that would have come in your '72.

Now, seat foam... It's not something that you want to price-shop. The quality of the foam is not just the shape, it's the actual chemistry of the foam and the characteristics of the foam. ACI utilizes a Dupont foam that is specially formulated for them, it's their own proprietary formula, and for almost 40 years now, it's simply the gold-standard. You'll do your seats once, and never have to do them again. Other foams out there, some are stiffer, some are softer, but none that I've ever seen pass the test of time.... They'll either pancake (like a cheap sofa caving under where your butt sits on it every day), or come apart underneath your upholstery. My Michigan store manager has been professionally installing upholstery for our customers for over 20 years, nights and weekends. He's used EVERY foam out there. And nothing comes close, nothing approaches the ACI. NPD isn't the only place that sells it, so if you can find it cheaper elsewhere, by all means... But this is one enthusiast to another, don't put new upholstery over cheap foam.

Sorry so long, I get going and have a hard time stopping LOL...

Quick question Rick are you guys going to get any Teal power steering pump paint back in stock?
Thanks

 

[Marks1]

That’s odd you would have to paint the TMI ones because they offer Vermillion along with blue, black and white. TMI seems like a decent company to deal with and I know you can send them NOS material and they will make seat covers out of it for you.

Who's mind is made up? LOL

 

[70cobrascj]

Who's mind is made up? LOL

That’s not true I used Mustang Market about 15 years ago to have my 70 Cobra seat covers made with NOS material.
So whatever