Carpet advice needed now...svp

Hey David,

 

I'll be tagging along as this proceeds. My idea is to carefully strip out the interior and do the same. Looking for carpet type/styles from others that have had great results. Also have a sister with a commercial machine to run seams and bindings. Ext is Ivory -Interior a med tan. 

 

So jump in and help 2 out at the same time!!!!!!!

You have a VW pan based car so the VS carpet kit should fit.  I don't think it comes with carpet for backs of seat though and not sure what your back seat area looks like.  They might sell extra matching carpet by the yard.  If you can get carpeting bound for a case of beer - that might be cheapest alternative.

Wolfgang has a good point about VS as a source.....   I did re-carpet my old Speedster during its rehab....  I used the old carpet as the pattern(s) and made newspaper paterns when the old stuff was too far gone.... I use a type of indoor/outdoor carpet with a fine knapp and "felt" backing as it was more pliable than the woven backing used on most carpeting....  

 

Use care when removing the old carpet to prevent stretching and distortion and ALWAYS cut the new stuff oversize....(how do he know?)

 

Good luck with finding the carpet and getting it in....   

I use VS on all the CMC's I have done ( it is easy to install but rather cheap looking though) with the exception of a few that I did a high end pile carpet..easy using your old pcs. and just gluing the edge over for a finished look I just bought a roll of  40" x 32' ...double what this listing is.... http://www.ebay.com/itm/321390...e=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT

You can find automotive carpeting on line by the yard or some upholstery shops may be willing to order it for you.

Cost depends upon quality and prices can run from around $7 yd to well over $40 a yard(MB/exotic type). Most of it is sold in 76-80" widths.

 

When re-building my Cobra 14 years ago now, I ordered the carpet and binding from this company: http://www.yourautotrim.com/80wideozite.html . I think I paid about $14 yd including binding tape at the time. This carpet is UV/water resistant, looks like a high grade carpet and has held up well over the years. I used the old carpet as a pattern and used a 3M hvy-duty spray on adhesive, applied with a air glue gun much like auto upholsterers use(found the gun for sale on CL while in AZ for like $25). We have a heavy duty sewing machine and used sailmakers UV thread for the binding. My wife is a pretty good seamstress(I'm not) and was more than willing to help with the project.

It is not really difficult to do a roadster like a Speedster or a Cobra, just takes time and patience and it certainly helps if you have an extra pair of hands to help.  

Alan or Anyone,

 

How is the fit and finish on the VS carpet on a CMC?

 

Are you using any specific water proofing or sound deadeing board on the pans?

 

Are you using a specifc carpet padding--size, product?

 

Really looking forward to my to do list but only want to do it once.

 

Thanks,

          David 

I used Dynamat on the Cobra to reduce noise, used it on the floor pan, fire wall(used Lizard Skin on the firewall do block engine heat first) inside the doors, on the back cowl wall and used a product called Grey Carpet Pad under the carpet, it comes in 36'' widths and easy to cut and installation was again done with spray on adhesive on the underside so it adhered to the floor pan etc. I got mine from an automotive upholstery shop in the Phoenix area...about $3 yd.

You definitely want to waterproof as much as possible especially if you glue all carpet in.  I'd make sure all metal is rust proofed. Then use spray spray foam and seam sealer in voids.  Don't forget where new pan floors are spot welded to center tunnel. A Dynamat-like product will further seal area.  If you have FF/CMC note that the build manual has you apply fiberglass to where the body attaches to the floor pan to seal out water, noise and fumes.

 

 

VS fits well in a CMC Speedster....This is easy and quick to do....I go the extra mile to water proof the inside the best I can. I caulk ( ACE Alex brand latex black caulk) everywhere I can, turn off the shop lights and use a work light to find any missed areas, then I use spray foam in a can and go around all areas in the inside, allow to dry overnight and cut it back fairly smooth with a loose hack saw blade....finally I brush coat a top layer of caulk over the foam. Padding is not a good idea , if carpet does get wet you'll have issues getting the padding dried out. I also don't use anything on the pans for the same reason. Finally best to only secure the pan shaped carpet in a few spots in case you need to remove it to dry, should it still get wet.

Hello Alan,

 

You mention that the VS carpet looks 'cheap'. Is there a better alternative out there? I'm in a position to finally replace the carpet in my CMC. I was going to get the complete set up from vintage, but if it's cheap looking, I'll pass.

 

Thanks,
Ted

" Cheap"  once it is in it doesn't loom that bad but is a thin version of indoor outdoor carpet...VS use to supply a higher quality version of that carpet ..may have to request that.  Aan

Last year at Carlisle I looked through the carpet samples that Henry had there.  The quality is sensational---really fantastic and some true "square weave".

 

If I ever replace my carpet I will sure see if I can get the carpet that IM uses.  Nothing like it.

Not sure of the materials shown, but I would never put real wool carpet in a Speedster.  There's too much of an opportunity for water getting in and the car smelling like wet dog.

I know a guy from CA that had an all aluminum 427 Cobra built for him, all the bells and whistles, 427 BB, etc. best of everything. He wouldn't listen to the builder and insisted on top of the line wool carpeting...nothing but the best he's wealthy and arrogant also. Needless to say he got stuck in a rain storm...as far as I know he has never gotten the 'wet dog' smell out of the car...he even had the audacity to blame the builder.

Alan on the padding issue, there is water proof and water resistant padding available. The padding I used in the Cobra is the water resistant type. I agree using regular padding in a roadster would not be good because unless you could pull both the carpeting and the padding easily to let it dry out it would become a mildew issue.

In my CMC I use synthetic carpet from JPS.

 

It looks a bit like square weave.

 

You can get matching carpet from Lowes or Home Depot.

 

I used closed cell neoprene under it on the floor.

 

I used brush on adhesive instead of spray. It seemed to help the carpet conform to the body.

David: three years ago I bought a roll of black, cut-pile "marine" carpet from Home Depot's online store. Cost about $110 shipped. There's a lot on the roll; I planned to do the boat with it too.*

 

TDs used unbound cut-pile (non-loop) carpet so i figured I was being authentic. 

 

I installed rubberized foot-saver padding under it. The kind you buy in squares that snaps together, like these. I cut them to size to fit the floor, tunnel, etc and glued on with 3m trim adhesive. HD, I think. Then I glued the carpet on overtop the padding.

 

It all came out pretty splendid, I think. Most edges were tucked under other trim pieces or stuck high under the dash so you didn't see them. The only real visible one was over the tunnel at the shifter hump--something you would not have in a Speedster. Obviously it is all bindable too, and you have someone doing that.

 

The carpet is very light weight and it came apart pretty good when I tore it all out for the Soob job last summer. I had to replace a few bits. And I should have replaced at least one more--the tunnel topper, which has a few slices in it to accommodate the (now deleted) heater levers. Fortunately I have enough on the roll to do the car again, maybe twice. 

 

For what it's worth.

 

*sold the boat before messing with carpet in same. Bought kayaks instead, which remain uncarpeted. 

Ed... so it is confirmed you experienced both happy days of boat ownership... that being, the day you bought it and the day to you sold it ~

Ed,

I need to carpet a car, how wide is your roll and how much do you have left?  Might be interested. 

Hi David,

 

We do offer a carpet set for an early VW floor pan Speedster.  Available both in cut pile, tan or charcoal or full range of original wool Square Weave.  You have excellent advice above on installation with your experience you will know how wet your interior gets this will help guide you in selection of carpet materiel as well as underlay.  As far as doing the job, you my friend will have no problem with this! You may require a bit of help with the seat backs, these are a bit of a PITA!

I've never owned a boat, Alan, but everyone I know who has will confirm it!  I'd throw cash into someone's tank almost any day of the week for a ski...

I'll email you tomorrow, Henry. I didn't think you'd still have parts for the pan based models.

Guess who I'm calling tomorrow ?!

David,

I did a partial replacement on my older IM.  Luckily, I didn't need the seat backs. The rear piece wasn't easy though.  I got the material from World Upholstery and Trim in CA (www.worlduph.com).  They also had the binding.  Got a local shop to cut and bind the floor pieces.  This was the cheaper loop that matched the old exactly.  They sell complete sets too, I believe.  Good luck, hope to see you in Carlisle again,

Rowan

Rowan,

Albeit cheaper than the squareweave... Was the carpet of good quality?

 

I'm having Henry send me some samples. I may just bite the bullet and get squareweave.

 

Ted

I won't get my car back from the body shop till next week at best, so I don't know exactly what parts / how much carpet I will replace so no decisions yet. I do remember that the back of the back seat area was in ok shape as are the seat backs. The floors need to be done and certainly the parts that go over the door sills etc.

 

I've heard of square weave before. Can someone please describe what it is re: authenticity, quality etc ? Then we hear of the popular Coco mats. I've got to get my car back to assess the whole package. Thanks.

 

I just noticed that we have two carpet threads ( no pun intended ) going on right now. Under Newbies...Vintage carpet kit is the other one.

David

 

Square weave carpet is of the highest quality.  It is very thick and very durable.  Henry uses it in most of his cars - the choice is of the square weave or the 'cheaper' kind.  Square weave  - I assume - is original to the 356.

 

This link takes you to one of Henry's cars.  You will find some shots of the carpet there.  Surf around the site for more shots of carpet.

 

https://www.flickr.com/photos/...s/72157649019246869/

 

Bob

https://www.flickr.com/photos/...s/72157649019246869/

 

The paint on that car looked luxurious.  The leather interior was looking pretty smooth like Ghiradeli milk chocolate. Beautiful car.

Ted,

Yes the loop material was of good quality.  But as Bob says the square weave is more accurate and the best.  I just wasn't ready to restore the replica and replace all the carpet to make it all square weave.  I was going for presentable.

 

David, the coco mats would have hid most of the bad carpet.  I guess, without looking at the 356 book, that some came with just rubber floors but maybe I am thinking of the type 1 beetles. Probably so.  Good luck with the rebuild.

Rowan