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Topic: INSTALLING CARPET

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INSTALLING CARPET (1/28)
10/8/11 4:16pm

68vet427
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macedon, NY - USA

Vette(s):
68 COUPE 454 HAS MOTION HOOD SCOOP, REVERSED GILLS ZL-1 FENDER FLARES AND MOTION REAR SPOILER, LEMAN'S GAS CAP, BUCKET HEADLIGHTS. CAN-AM FRONT RACING SPOILER. CHROME HOOKER HEADERS AND SIDE PIPES! 4 SPEED M20, LOOKS FAST STANDING STILL !!

Joined: 7/20/2006
Posts: 367

Hi all,
I need some help from anyone that has installed a complete carpet set in there vette.
I purchased a carpet set in Carlisle from ACO (Auto Carpet Original).
I just pulled it out of the box today, and started laying it in.
Is there a lot of trimming that needs to be done?
Is this normal for all carpet sets?
for example
1. need to trim a hole for the rear compartment light.
2. also, it looks like i have to cut the rear compartment sides for the vent drain tubes.
3. need to cut holes for the 2 "arm?" that stick up in the back for the mounting of the t-top storage tray.
4. there also seems to be extra that needs to be cut at edges.

Is there a procedure to put these in?
what to put in first? Is there a book?
Any body got pics of what they did?
Any help is appreciated.
Thanks.
Joe

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Re: INSTALLING CARPET (2/28)
10/8/11 5:22pm

Willis76

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Rockland, MA - USA

Vette(s):
76, L48, 4spd & 09, LS3, 6spd

Joined: 1/30/2003
Posts: 584

I believe EBO was putting together something based on a carpet installation done when they went to Mid America.

I'm in the process and pretty much done with my carpet installation. I suggest you start in the back and work forward - that way your're not standing on new carpet while putting in the rest. Also, start with the wheel wells, then the back bulhead, floor and finally the piece behind the seats. Remember you need to leave enough to fit under the rear compartment frame, so it looks nice and finished. I added an under layment / heat barrier before I put in the carpet, and this added to more than a little frustration when trying to get the rear compartment frame back in. It will go in, but extreme patience is needed or it will break and you will be ordering another.

The front seems as if it will be a lot easier than the back. One note, I needed to install my seat belts prior to beginning on the front. I put in new belts, single roller verus the original two roller design - it was cheaper than sending the originals out for rehab. (Maybe the next guy will want to?)

Anyway, it can be done - take your time, measure and test fit 5 or 6 times and then cut a little at a time until you get the fit you want. There are not that many pieces, but pretty much all will need to be trimed. Heavy duty shears work better than a razor knife, but you will need both. I also used a piece of chalk to mark my cuts, eetc.

Plently of help here - so give us a holler! Thumbs Up

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Re: INSTALLING CARPET (3/28)
10/8/11 6:47pm

Dennis,
thanks,
it seems to be a pain, i know i will get it done, but i really thought it would be a better fit with less cutting and trimming.
i never asked when i bought it.
i'm sure i'll have more questions as i get into it.
Joe

Re: INSTALLING CARPET (4/28)
10/9/11 6:18am

ebo

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Holland Patent, NY - USA

Vette(s):
#1 *1980 White, Red interior 14,000 mile #2 *1980 Red, Oyster interior 93,000 miles Resto project car, rebuilt to 383 stroker

Joined: 6/3/2008
Posts: 4421

Guys so sorry, yes I do have a ton of photos of the carpet install. They are in a RAW program file that does not let me copy until they are converted. Norsky has that done for me but not in hand yet.

So back on topic:

Yes there is a ton of trimming, it was a very slow process trimming was done a small bit at a time.

They started with the back fenderwells glued in place then the back wall glued in and attached to lock in strip.

Key tool is those long ice picks I've talked about, once you are doing the cut outs you find the screw mounting holes with the picks and hold the carpet in place with them. Very small relief cuts untill everything looks lined up then final trim. always keeping it on the snug side.

ebo

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ebo

Re: INSTALLING CARPET (5/28)
10/9/11 12:20pm

rod7515

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Red Lion, PA - USA

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1974 White 350 Corvette, TH400 Automatic 1972 Tangerine /Go Mango Convertible 383 Stroker, 2004r Automatic

Joined: 10/27/2006
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I will soon be ready to tackle this job as well. I bought my carpet from MAM and it looks as though its going to need a bunch of trimming as well. I have placed the fender well pieces in and they dont look even close.

Joe as you do yours keep us updated and hopefully you can post pics as you go.

Ebo, I look forward to your tutorial.

Rodney

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Re: INSTALLING CARPET (6/28)
10/9/11 4:32pm

Guys,
thanks for getting back.
OK, so now I know that a lot of trimming is normal, i can relax a little bit.
I will keep you up to date and i'll post some pics as i go along. I still have to do some wiring layout before the carpet goes down, so it may be about a week till i can give feedback on this.
I am still open to anymore advice!!!!
Thanks,
Joe

Re: INSTALLING CARPET (7/28)
10/10/11 10:23am

Adams' Apple

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Duncanville, TX - USA

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#1-1974 L-48 4spd Cp Med Red Metallic/Black deluxe int w/AC/tilt/tele./p/w-p/b/ Am-Fm/map light National/Regional/Chapter NCRS "Top Flight" #2-1985 Bright Red/Carmine Cp.L-98/auto Member: NCRS, NCRS Texas, Corvette Legends of Texas

Joined: 11/8/2003
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Most carpet sets will be "over-sized", to allow for proper trimming. Since no two cars are exactly the same, it lets you trim yours out the way ya want it, and not have any open, uncovered spots, as was common from the factory. Take yer time, measure 10 times/cut onced! It's also a good idea to lay the carpeting out in the sun for a few hours(if possible) to allow it to relax a little...it will definitely help when it comes time to get it to lay down in all of the corner areas.
Good Luck with the install. New rugs make a HUGE difference in the way the car looks. Thumbs Up

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Re: INSTALLING CARPET (8/28)
10/10/11 11:14am

my7t1

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Dorr, MI - USA

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71 Colonnade Hardtop Coupe Torch Red with black interior originally L48 built to push around 360hp

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The only thing I have to offer that hasn't been said is you may want to lay down some heat and sound barrier underneath. Now's the time and it sure made a difference in mine.

Oh, and also, you may want to sniff a bit of the glue before you choose it. If it gets ya high ya may or may not want to use it. A'lls I can say bout that is when Patty and I installed our carpet we saw God live in person. Wacko

But after a while we both had a terrible headache. Not good stuff................. Thumbs Down

Just a thought.

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Re: INSTALLING CARPET (9/28)
10/10/11 11:39am

Adams' Apple said: Most carpet sets will be "over-sized", to allow for proper trimming. Since no two cars are exactly the same, it lets you trim yours out the way ya want it, and not have any open, uncovered spots, as was common from the factory. Take yer time, measure 10 times/cut onced! It's also a good idea to lay the carpeting out in the sun for a few hours(if possible) to allow it to relax a little...it will definitely help when it comes time to get it to lay down in all of the corner areas.
Good Luck with the install. New rugs make a HUGE difference in the way the car looks. Thumbs Up

Joel, laying the carpet out in the sun sounds like it would help.

And yes, it does make a differance!

My wife said when she looked at it just laying in there, " It just hit me, this is going to be a NEW car when you get it done!"

I told her it is already since I have bought every part for this thing ! Cry

Joe

Re: INSTALLING CARPET (10/28)
10/10/11 11:46am

my7t1 said: The only thing I have to offer that hasn't been said is you may want to lay down some heat and sound barrier underneath. Now's the time and it sure made a difference in mine.

Oh, and also, you may want to sniff a bit of the glue before you choose it. If it gets ya high ya may or may not want to use it. A'lls I can say bout that is when Patty and I installed our carpet we saw God live in person. Wacko

But after a while we both had a terrible headache. Not good stuff................. Thumbs Down

Just a thought.

Terry, thanks for the suggestion.

But I figure with the 4 in Hooker Header side pipes and the big block, I dont think it's going to help with the noise! Pinch

As far as the heat, there is no pipes underneath.

Now as far as the glue???? Wacko

Joe

Re: INSTALLING CARPET (11/28)
10/10/11 5:07pm

ebo

Joe, check out the insulating kits MAM has, even engine / tranny heat could be held back with it. They also sell a scrap piece kit that has all odd ball "scrap" pieces to put in every nook and cranny. If you have gone this far don't skrimp now. It sure can't hurt.

During the install at MAM they did use the stinky glue, they brushed it on and let it set up for quite a while before slappin down the carpet.

I would lay out the old carpet and use some post it notes or something and place them close to the area's cut out onto the new carpet. This will give you some kind of guide when you palce the new carpet that your somewhere in the ball park. Maybe even staple the templates in place so they stay. Then just pull them off when you are ready to do the cutting. Sort of like laying down a carpet in a room, you want to make sure everything is squared up.

Did all that make any sense?.......

ahhhh that new car smell.......

ebo

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ebo

Re: INSTALLING CARPET (12/28)
10/10/11 5:34pm

corvette440hp

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Posts: 8205

I just got done doing Lizard Skin Sound insulation. Two coats inside and two coats to the underside and firewall. Then I applied two coats Lizard Skin Heat insulation inside and under. I then shot Eastwood Extreme Chasis paint to both sides again. The Lizard Skin is a Fire retardant and is good for 500 degrees F. I shot the backStorage compartments inside and out also. I do have a tendency to over engineer.........but I keep myself happy. I'm only building from the ground up once..........so I'm doing everything 100%

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corvette440hp

Re: INSTALLING CARPET (13/28)
10/11/11 6:22pm

ebo said: Joe, check out the insulating kits MAM has, even engine / tranny heat could be held back with it. They also sell a scrap piece kit that has all odd ball "scrap" pieces to put in every nook and cranny. If you have gone this far don't skrimp now. It sure can't hurt.

During the install at MAM they did use the stinky glue, they brushed it on and let it set up for quite a while before slappin down the carpet.

Did all that make any sense?.......

ahhhh that new car smell.......

ebo

ebo,
yes that all made sense! Wacko

My carpet came with padding on the back. I probably won't put the insulating under the carpet.
Budget has been tight, and I really was not even planning on it anyways.
but thanks for the advice.
As far as comparing it to the old carpeting, I had none. Car came with " nuthin "!
So I will have to wing it.
Here is a pic of the carpet and the consoles just sitting in there. I just had too see!
Joe

Re: INSTALLING CARPET (14/28)
10/12/11 11:00am

rod7515

Joe, Before you get to far along I can offer you some left over lizard skin that I have here that I will never use. Its about 3/4 gallon and I have a gun to spray it with. I hate to see it just sitting around and going to waste. If you would be interested in covering the shipping I could send it to you. All you need to do is send the gun back once you are done. I did my 74 with this stuff on the inside only and what a difference that made in the amount of heat on your feet. My 72 got sprayed inside and out! Hope some day to try that one out! By the way your car looks great!
Rodney

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Re: INSTALLING CARPET (15/28)
10/13/11 5:37pm

rod7515 said: Joe, Before you get to far along I can offer you some left over lizard skin that I have here that I will never use. Its about 3/4 gallon and I have a gun to spray it with. I hate to see it just sitting around and going to waste. If you would be interested in covering the shipping I could send it to you. All you need to do is send the gun back once you are done. I did my 74 with this stuff on the inside only and what a difference that made in the amount of heat on your feet. My 72 got sprayed inside and out! Hope some day to try that one out! By the way your car looks great!
Rodney

Rodney,
thank you for that offer.
I will have to kindly decline on it though. I am going to glue the carpet in saturday if all goes well. I want to get this thing on the road before it snows, and here in rochester, ny, that could be any day !!! Thumbs Down

Hopefully some one else here could use it instead.
When I do my next vette, ???? when ever that will be, i will look into the lizard skin.
Thank you anyways,
Joe

Re: INSTALLING CARPET (16/28)
10/17/11 6:01am

Well, I got almost all the carpet in on saturday.

All I have left to do is the piece behind the seats.

( I could have finished it all but I an out of spray glue.)

Things went pretty well. A lot of trimming and fitting butwith not too much problem.

My fingers are sore from using the scissors.

I will post some pics when I am done.

Joe

Re: INSTALLING CARPET (17/28)
10/18/11 6:35am

Jaws79

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Sykesville, MD - USA

Vette(s):
1979 Corvette Coupe Corvette Light Blue Midnight Blue interior Mirrored Glass T-tops

Joined: 4/27/2008
Posts: 4239

I can' wait to see this finished product, Joe! You HAVE to bring it to some of the shows next year (too late for this year)! It looks like its really coming along great!

Barry

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Re: INSTALLING CARPET (18/28)
10/18/11 7:12am

Barry,

Thanks.

yes, I am looking forward to being able to bring it to some of the events and seeing everyone.

I can't wait to drive it.

Getting closer.

Did some more work last nite with the carpet, need to trim a little more to get the rear compartment frame to fit properly.

I pick up my radiator today, so that can get installed this week which means I will finally be able to put the hood on. Yea! Smile

Joe

Re: INSTALLING CARPET (19/28)
10/18/11 10:53am

Adams' Apple

Joe, that thing is REALLY coming along nicely! I'ts been a long hard journey, but from the pics, it was well worth the effort!! You done a GREAT JOB!!! Thumbs Up

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Re: INSTALLING CARPET (20/28)
10/18/11 1:45pm

Joel,

Thanks for the encouragement!

Man, am I learning alot! But it has been a great journey!

Just for kick, does anybody make carpet that will just drop in with only MINOR trimming?

And the molded rear sides, how well are they too follow the

wheelwells?

Joe

Re: INSTALLING CARPET (21/28)
10/18/11 7:37pm

Adams' Apple

AfaIk, any carpet set out there will require some trimming. Can't say if one place's is better than the other, but I do know that most of the Corvette vendors get their carpet from the same place...ACC(Auto Custom Carpet). Some do make their own, such as Mid America.

How the carpet fits over the rear wheelwells is basically any way you can get it in there! It will NOT cover them completely...they didn't from the factory. Just lay them up there the best you can....that's all youse can do. Thumbs Up

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Re: INSTALLING CARPET (22/28)
10/19/11 12:42am

voiceoftj

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Glendale, CA - USA

Vette(s):
1978 Red w/oyster

Joined: 9/15/2011
Posts: 42

Got my carpet, insulation, and parking brake kits in today. Guess I know what my weekend plans are!

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Oh, I've got plans...!

Re: INSTALLING CARPET (23/28)
10/19/11 4:38am

LOL !

Yup, it should be a fun weekend. Wacko

One thing i may suggest when putting in the carpet

1. when you spray the 3M General Trim Adhesive, be careful not to spray the gas / brake pedals. You may want to cover them first.

2. Cover your steering wheel, when you fold back the carpet and spray it, you can hit the bottom of the wheel when you go to fold it back into place

3. Also, be sure all your wires are in the right place before the carpet goes down.

Joe

Re: INSTALLING CARPET (24/28)
10/19/11 4:41am

Joel,

thats good to hear.

I thought it was just me.

That is were I got my carpet, so since it fits close enough, I'm OK with that.

Still loooks good to me.

Joe

Re: INSTALLING CARPET (25/28)
10/19/11 5:33am

Willis76

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Rockland, MA - USA

Vette(s):
76, L48, 4spd & 09, LS3, 6spd

Joined: 1/30/2003
Posts: 584

Based on how sweet your car looks, I'm guessing that carpet was a piece of cake. Congratulations! Clap

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Re: INSTALLING CARPET (26/28)
10/19/11 8:13am

my7t1

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Dorr, MI - USA

Vette(s):
71 Colonnade Hardtop Coupe Torch Red with black interior originally L48 built to push around 360hp

Joined: 8/21/2002
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Glad ya got-er-done Joe. Knew ya could. BTW that is one sweetheart of a Vette ya got there. I can see why you don't need heat or sound deadner. I bet it sounds as good as it looks. Luv it! Thumbs Up

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Re: INSTALLING CARPET (27/28)
10/19/11 8:28am

Thanks,

I have not had it runnining in the car yet.

If you go to my restoration website at the bottom of my signature you can see a video of it on the dyno.

It is run with open 4 inch headers similar to what I have on my vette now.

you'll seewhy sound proofing it won't help ! Big smile

Joe

Re: INSTALLING CARPET (28/28)
10/22/11 6:33pm

dwright
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Victor, NY - USA

Vette(s):
2004 Commemorative Edition Coupe, Auto w/HUD. 13K miles in 2015. Sold 1982 Red Coupe

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Posts: 6841

Hey Joe, the Vette is looking great.

Can't wait to see it in person.

Probably have to wait for Spring though.

I'll bet you will have it at the Log Cabin and hopefully at Carlisle next year.

Let me know if you are going to bring it to the 2012 Gathering.

Oh yeah, great choice for the carpet color.

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