Took apart Sealy Sterlingshire firm from Costco.
May 14, 2008 11:31 AM
Joined: Apr 15, 2008
Points: 25
I knew it would come, but didn't know it would only take two months.  A pillow top I had went quickly, but I thought this would be good six months or longer.  This bed was $700, it has 782 coils.  I really wanted 782, and couldn't find it cheaper to cut up, so I kept it.  I cut it underneath, along the seam.  I wanted to be able to put it back and have it look decent.  Some layers are quality, some are cheap.  I think the culprit was the 1" of quality memory, and another 1/2" of cheap sewn onto the cover.  I have silver dollar shaped stitching every ten inches.  Luckily I had a stitchripper.  I had to "destitch" about a hundred of those circles.  The memory was quality but bad idea sewing it like that, and at the top to boot.  I know some like memory, it doesn't work for me.  There are two 1/2" cheap layers that I'll take out.  But there is  one very rigid, small egg crate style, pu I think, that I'll keep.  A 1.5" semi firm, pu I guess, that I'll keep for now.  I'm rearranging the fimer to the bottom(it was second to the top after taking off sewn part) and putting my 1" latex on top(more on latex in new post).  Might have to put my old memory topper on the very bottom for now if this is not enough.  Will get 2" more of firm latex to replace what doesn't work, down the road.  This bed has a very flat surface.  I like it that way.  I'm down to the basics and will be able to tell what layer is not working.  Was not happy thinking I spent 700 on a coil base.  But felt better knowing I won't be doing it again for another 15-20 years. 
Re: Took apart Sealy Sterlingshire firm from Costco.
Reply #8 Jul 2, 2008 11:19 PM
Joined: Apr 15, 2008
Points: 25
Hey Leo,

the 1" latex I have now is from foambymail soft 20ild.  I think the fiber material is cotton, my best guess.  I added two more pics to the flickr that show a small view of some of the original layers.  I don't have a pic of the original top.  But it had what looked like 50cent piece size circle  sewn every nine inches.  It had the 1" and 1/2" MF sewn on.  Very weird for a mattress top I thought.  Check out my new thread.

Re: Took apart Sealy Sterlingshire firm from Costco.
Reply #9 Jul 3, 2008 2:56 PM
Joined: May 3, 2008
Points: 827
I had a Europa mattress that had memory foam on the top and I think it was sewn in too.  I couldn't sleep on it, after a year got rid of that one too.

The original layers with polyurethane baffling or whatever it is called are something I haven't seen either.  Of course I haven't seen the insides of a mattress, it is very interesting.  Does the PU seem soft and resilient still?
Re: Took apart Sealy Sterlingshire firm from Costco.
Reply #10 Jul 28, 2009 7:27 PM
Joined: Sep 11, 2007
Points: 116
Really, people do this?  And really, people actually are interested in what the outcome is.  Really?  I thought it was bad enough I read through this.  Please don't tell me you told anyone else except this forum what you do in your spare time.  No offense, but seriously.
Re: Took apart Sealy Sterlingshire firm from Costco.
Reply #11 Aug 2, 2009 9:30 PM
Location: NC
Joined: Feb 21, 2008
Points: 72
"Really, people do this? And really, people actually are interested in what the outcome is. Really? I thought it was bad enough I read through this. Please don't tell me you told anyone else except this forum what you do in your spare time. No offense, but seriously."

Yes, people do this and talk about it because they have limited funds to spend on mattresses and they value a good nights sleep and less back aches upon awakening. My king mattress started having a small crater on each side where my husband and I slept. WITH THE ENCOURAGEMENT OF THE EXAMPLE OF MEMBERS IN THIS FORUM, I cut open my Sealy Latex recently and removed the top layers of PU padding...about 5 in all with the top one sewn into the nice mattress cover. I then placed two egg crates purchased from a foam dealer which are very dense on top. On top of that I placed my 2" latex topper from Foam by Mail. I covered it with the cuddle bed and fitted sheet. No more craters...totally flat on top with the right amount of cushion and firmness. We are sleeping great!

Thanks to all who led the way and gave me the courage to experiment with my mattress. Now I'm not out the big bucks I paid for it and it should work well for many years to come.