Probably looking for DIY Coil? Or maybe not?

[phoenix]

Hi arc.

You’re most welcome!
Hopefully, we’ll be able to give some more insights to help you make a good choice this time around.

If I was going to investigate if mattress surgery makes sense, is there a recommenced guide or instructions for doing so? (so that I can put it back together…) I would want to cut it open first to see what the situation looks like I imagine! (In a way that I can close it back up, ideally without sewing (or very minimal sewing), as I don’t really have appropriate tools or knowledge)

Mattress surgery makes good sense. It will give you helpful clues as to what went wrong with the current or past mattress and inform you for a future more educated mattress purchase. You can also reuse the spring unit for a DIY mattress rebuild project. If you go down this route then I’d advise that you document everything you do. Take pictures/notes of the layers so you have a reference to go back to. Since every mattress is a little different, there’s not really a one-size-fits all guide for mattress surgery

If you do decide on “mattress surgery” then post #2 by a subscriber documenting his mattress surgerymay be helpful as well as this topic in APM dedicated forum on Mattress Surgery on a Serta Hybrid Sleep System.
With DIY in mind, you can certainly reuse some of the componentry in your old mattress. You can watch a video by Arizona Premium Mattress on Serta iSeries Bradbury Mattress Surgery
Verify that the components that you are planning to use are is still in good condition. To check the integrity of the spring unit (which is rarely the weak link in a mattress) you might want to press down to feel the sleep areas versus the ends of the bed to see if the spring feels the same. If you feel a difference in firmness the unit may be damaged.

I would also recommend buying a zippered cover to replace the one you’re going to cut open/off. That way, you’re able to replace and remove it as needed without much issue. Many of the Trusted Members I mentioned in the previous post will also offer zippered covers and other components for DIY purposes.

Do any of the companies that you mention allow me to actually try the foam on the mattress and then return it if it doesn’t work?

Yes! Most of them offer some sort of layer exchange or return procedure. Should you choose to move forward with one of them, I would just be transparent with them about what it is you plan to do and ask what their options are for exchanges, returns, and so on. They are well experienced in the world of DIY so they’ll be great resources as well when it comes to choosing a foam density, thickness, cover, etc.

Phoenix