Replacement adhesive foam for 1986 Oakley Eyeshades?

[lavielemond]

Hey all,

I joined this site more than 5 years ago now but then I suffered a heart attack mid-2022 & contracted viral encephalitis exactly 12 months later (left me comatose for a week & hospitalised for a month), so as all of this took place following the worldwide pandemic, I've not been as 'chatty' as I formerly was...fun & games for me, eh?!

Anyway, I hope that I've correctly posted this within the 'DIY' section & in case anyone happens to see this, I own several original sets of the Eyeshades (Factory Pilot) sunglasses, 2 x yellow (one of them BNIB) & 1 x blue w/ yellow lenses...however, the original adhesive foam brow strip has completely perished upon all 3 pairs & I'd like to replace them w/ a contemporary product.

Although I'm thinking that I could make a decent guess at the correct/ideal size of adhesive foam to purchase for them, does anyone happen to know (thanks to prior experience) the ideal height & width of the foam that should be used upon them, perchance? Of course, because the actual (white) adhesive strip that Oakley used back in the '80s was obscenely thick & is certainly unnecessarily so nowadays, with the advent of far superior glues of a FAR lower profile than that which Oakley used about 40 years ago now, I'm thinking that this would surely allow for a thicker section of foam that would make contact with one's forehead & thus serve its intended purpose? I've attached 2 photos of them below & the 2nd photo shows just how thick the white adhesive section was back then...

And while I'm at it & on the off chance that someone has not only found (& bothered to read) this enquiry but also knows the required dimensions AND is happy to share them with me, is there any superior type of contemporary foam material that would be recommended for this use, please?

Thanks so very much, in advance to anyone who has a) actually ended up reading this 'novel' & b) the inclination to respond with a reply that may prove to be fruitful!

Cheers & best wishes to all from sunny 'Down Under'...Matt.

 

[Aldis1ne]

welcome back, and glad you’re still at it after all that. You’re definitely in the right section.
For Eyeshades / Factory Pilot foam replacements, most people have good results with:
Height: ~12–14 mm
Thickness: ~6–8 mm
Length: ~55–60 mm, trimmed to the frame curve
Material: medium-density closed-cell EVA or neoprene foam works best (durable, sweat-resistant, comfortable).
Adhesive: thin 3M transfer tape (300LSE or VHB) instead of thick vintage glue — stronger and lower profile.
That combo usually fits better and lasts longer than the original.

 

[lavielemond]

Oh crap! Man, I am SO freaking sorry to only be replying to you now but in my own, inimitably verbose manner, I almost immediately began to respond to your very kind, über-prompt & incredibly helpful reply on 18/12 (or 12/18 for you guys in the States) but as it's also my birthday that day, I never completed it before more than just a few alcoholic beverages were consumed & yada yada thereafter...!

Anyway mate, thanks ever so much for such an unexpectedly detailed & informative reply (as well as the very kind "welcome back"), you're clearly both a gentleman & a scholar, as we say about quality fellas like yourself down here in Oz...that's absolutely brilliant & I'm already on the hunt for the perfect foam replacements online, for both my near-new blue & yellow pairs, as well as the yellow BNIB pair.

I trust that you've enjoyed an awesome Xmas & hope that you have an even better NYE & start to 2026, campionissimo...cheers & best wishes from hot & sunny 'Down Under' & take care out there...Matt.