I'm adding sound deadening and barrier material to my 1st gen FB 85 GSL, and have pulled the carpet in the back.

But I notice that large portions of the carpet have been glued down to the metal.

Is that normal from the factory? Or is this something that a PO did?

It seems like such a messy thing to have done, but not sure if this is "normal". When I replace the carpet I'm using velcro.

Input appreciated.

 

Not done by factory. Dunno why anyone would've done that

 

They are typically tarred down. Which is annoying and messy. At least on the FD.

 

I just pulled my carpet on my Second Gen.. I found the carpet stuck in some places because of this tar like matt that has been pressed onto the metal.. I spoke with Dynamatt about putting layering the material ontop of it and they say its fine to do..
here is a pic

 

Well, I spent the day pulling carpet, inspecting damage and cleaning...

No tar on FB/85 GSL, but *somebody* took it upon themselves to use some kind of glue (kind of looked like Gorilla) to "glue it on there real good".

The glue had been most heavily applied to the sheet metal frame that forms the storage bin area, and in addition to the glue, there were large patches of surface rust and residue from the carpet.

I ended up ripping the carpet out of the back completely, removing the sheet metal for the storage bins, grinding out as much of the rust and glue residue as I could, cleaning with a biodegradeable solvent, then using spray-on rustoleum to convert the rust patches.

Also cleaned out/washed the interior of the rear of the car to the metal floor, from the taillights to the back of the seats.

In for a penny, in for a pound: I'm going to replace all the carpet at this point, I've got a set of brand new black carpet, so I'm just going to go with that, including soundproofing from Soundproof Cow.

What an ordeal...

 

...I also assume the factory doesn't glue the carpet down over the wiring harnesses?

As I've been checking and fixing electrical details, I've had to trace wiring etc., and a PO seems to have had no compunction about slapping some glue on the carpet and laying it right over the wiring harnesses.

That *can't* be right--can it?

 

You must use some sort of a bonding material to the barrier, The barrier may stick to the tar like substance or use a heavy duty double tape to secure the barrier to the body of the car. Otherwise it will slip and will feel weird when you are driving. Using the velcro is a good idea but only in the corners or edges, If you put velcro in the middle of a flat area you will sooner or later see a bump and that will be annoying.
Hope this helps.

Grant

 

I've torn out the front carpet, and am really just...speechless.

Whoever had replaced the original carpet liberally spread glue *all over* the floor pan, in the nooks and crannies, over the wiring harnesses and connectors, nuts and bolts, etc., then carefully pressed the carpet into the glue all the way out to the edges to make sure it wouldn't come up, and called it a day. At least there was no rust.

I was also wondering why I could never hear the speakers in the front of the car. Well, silly me. I can only surmise the person who did the carpeting job was fixed bid because they just took out the kick panels and carpeted them--including simply covering over the speaker grilles.

I'm not an expert in car restoration, but I know enough to recognize when someone just doesn't give a **** about the quality of the job.

I know velcro was used originally, as the original velcro pieces are still attached to the chassis in critical areas; I guess it was just too much effort to bother re-using them or putting in new velcro.

Anyway...end of rant.

I'm re-doing the interior myself since that's probably the only way I know it will be done right...

Anybody think I have weird expectations for a 26-year-old vehicle?