fritts

iTrader: (5)

Well after seeing the outrageous prices people were asking for used black carpet. I decided to try and carpet my car myself. It didn't turn out half bad best thing is that it only cost ~60 total.

Boat carpet 40 (lowes)
IC3000 Rubber CA Glue 10 (hobby shop)
Carpet adhesive 10 (auto store)
Scraps of cloth for reinforcing seams Free

Tools
Metal Shears (don't ask though they worked great)
Exacto knife
Flexible straight edges to cut seams

Here is how I did it I took out the carpet and foam pad, removed the carpet from the pad being carefull not to rip the rubber or foam off. I layed my rubber/foam pad back in the car and cut out some oversized carpet pieces. I then trimmed the carpet to a close fit, using the trim panels as guides. I removed the plastic sill clips from the old carpet and stapled the carpet to the clips to hold the carpet in place. I then decided where I would need to create seams. I created seams at the mid point in the tunnel, the corned behind the accelerator and two seams behind the seat at the bins. Mirror the seams for the other side. I patiently cut the seams fitting the carpet each time to make sure I didn't remove to much. I then CA glued the carpet in the back side in a couple spots, not to many if you have to adjust where you glued. Once happy I glued the entire seam and then reinforced with cloth, saturating the cloth. You will notice the carpet is lumpy so I took a clothes steamer and steamed the carpet untill it layed flat. I let this dry and then cut out the holes for the seat rails, trunk opener and seat belt boltdowns. The carpet was then pealed up and glued section by section with the spray adhesive. I added a second layer of carpet over the tunnel, help drowned out noise, plus reinforce the wear spot at the seat buckle. Finally, remount all of your interior.

I dont' know how well the carpet will wear but with the mats there are not a whole lot of high trafic areas. I think it looks decent for my first attempt at carpeting. Hell if it doesn't work your only out 60 or so. That's why I figured why not.

Here's some pics, not all of the interior has been installed yet, such as the sills.

fritts

iTrader: (5)

more pics

I hope this helps someone out needing carpeting.

purerx7

iTrader: (61)

came out great, not a fan of the grey, would of done black if it were me. Besides that excellent work.

fritts

iTrader: (5)

cars black, interiors black, just had to try and contrast it a bit. It will help when I get the interior panels fiberglassed and painted.

afterburn27

iTrader: (5)

Also not a fan of the gray color, but that looks awesome! especially for 60 bucks.

Shinobi-X

About how long did it take you to complete this task (minus pulling of the old carpet)?

AgentSpeed

Looks good. I did this myself last year when I got rid of that ugly tan carpet. I spent about 6-7 hours total time I guess. I did take a few long breaks though.
I kind of like the grey, it's different.

sonix7

YES!! Fritts you just solved my problem, I actually looked at the carpet and saw the rubber backing. I need to change the color of the carpet to a dark gray. I like the gray you have just too light like silver. Can you let us know where you got the carpet, is it of quality? I love it though it looks awesome. I might have to PM you and get your procedure. Thanx

sonix7

Ok I am going to attempt to repeat this but improve on what Fritts did. Now I talked to him and he suggested using a rubber contact cement for sticking the new carpet to the OEM molded rubber backing. Now I found the carpet that I am using here. What do you think of the quality, looks good. http://www.perfectfit.com/product.asp?Product_id=154081&d_id=15270&l2=15270& l1=15269&CartAddItem=1#
It goes for like 16.00 a yard, I think I will only need three to have enough and extra if I need it. I am going for the storm gray color. now this is going to be tricky, if anyone has any helpful advice for me going into this, cough it up now? I want this to work and last and look awesome so please anyone with more experience with adhesives for this type of job or techniques on how to seem this right will be much needed and appreciated. Thanx and I won't start this for a few weeks due to my schedule, so lets talk about how this will work.

or I might do the luxury style which I really like!!! silver?

sonix7

I have been speaking with Fritts over the past 36 hours about doing this and I have come to the conclusion that I am going to go for it. I ordered 3 yards of the silver color (not luxury cut) I decided that if it didn't bend and shape right I would be screwed. So I went for the silver stuff. total was $58.00 shipped. Now I am researching the adhesive deal. I came across a write-up for a Porsche carpet and found this stuff, it is highly recommended and is considered to be amazing stuff. Good ole 3m!! So if anyone has an opinion based on experience or knowledge of this, please feel free to interject. Thanx

my source -http://www.pelicanparts.com/techarticles/914_sound_pad/914_sound_pad.htm

sonix7

Both Fritts and I both came across this stuff, looks awesome. I think with both pictured products we have a good start for what we will use to accomplish this. I am going to start a write-up, just in case this works and others want to follow my lead. Here is the Body Shop Permatex headliner and carpet adhesive. Anyone care to comment?

afterburn27

iTrader: (5)

I would suggest a spray adhesive like this for a carpet job. I used a 3m spray adhesive when I did the carpet in the TR6 and it worked great. I think 3m has a few different strengths of automotive interior spray adhesives.

One word of caution, that stuff is nasty! Try to apply the adhesive AWAY from the car if at all posible. Lay a bunch of newspaper out and spray it on, wait a couple minutes for the glue to tack up a bit, then go ahead and place it in the car. If you have to spray it inside the car be very careful and lay as much newspaper in the interior as possible.

sonix7

very good advice. I plan to lay plastic everywhere when I spray. I ordered two cans of the Permatex headliner and carpet adhesive, one tube of the 3m weatherstripping adhesive and some contact cement, I am trying all three. I plan to use this steamer to steam the carpet into form. I want to see if I can get this done without seems if possible. Does anyone know how to completely get the carpet out after the dash pad has been removed? It is still stuck under the ac unit? I just don't want to have to cut it since I have everything removed.

fritts

iTrader: (5)

Sonix,
This picture shows the areas I had to create seams in red. In black is approximately where the two pieces are shaped like.

sonix7

Thanx, that will work. You have been a huge help, I super appreciate it. Makes a lot of sense now looking at it. I won't touch this for at least a week or so. Wish me luck.