I've wanted to tackle this for a long time and, since winter's coming, maybe now's the time. I've got an old CMC and it's got that crappy mousemat carpeting. Looks lousy and wears worse. I was thinking of just taking the old carpets out (I think they were glued in), using them as a template, getting some new stuff and cutting it to match. Can you get automotive carpeting by the yard? Has anyone ever done this? Am I getting in over my head? Thanks-
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Exactly what I did. I was lucky enough to find the material locally but there are several places online that have nice material as well. If I remember correctly, I bought a total of 5 yards that was 72 inches wide. Very similar to this carpet here: http://www.yourautotrim.com/t72wiluauca.html
I had the local shop sew on matching vinyl around the tub area and he did that for free. I used 3M glue in a gallon can and brused it onto the back side of the carpet and onto the car as well and let it set up for about 10 minutes before joining the pieces. Not only did it come out looking great but it cost less than $150 total.
I wanted to install Dynamat throughout my Speedster so I pulled all the old carpets out, cleaned the metal up, painted a vinyl truck bed liner, then Dynamat then new carpet from Vintage.
I'm happy with it all but if I had it to do over I would go with better carpet---maybe German square weave in a fabric that wears like indoor-outdoor carpet. From what I see, none of the stuff usually offered by replica makers cleans up very well and shampooing with a gentle brush actually degrades the carpet. I have better luck using a towel with rug shampoo and "dabbibg" it rather than scrubbing it. Not a big deal because I keep it clean in the first place.
The biggest payoff was the waterproofing from the truck liner and the Dynamat. The doors shut with a "thunk" like the finest of cars with the Dynamat inside the doors.
The best glue I found was recommended by Gordon---the 3-M spray in the green can. Applies great--right where you want it and quite strong.
Redoing the carpet will make a huge improvement to your car---good luck with it!
I got a sample of Vintage's carpet and also concluded that it wasn't of the best quality. I was kind of surprised by that.
Great tips about the pickup bed spray and the Dynamat. Many thanks, Jack.
Charles---at the I.M. booth at Carlisle last year, I looked at the carpet samples they offer. The patterns like German weave and the selection of colors were outstanding. Absolutely Gorgeous stuff. If my car still took on water like it did when it was new I'd be very concerned about how any carpet would perform in a damp environment. Since I had just installed a new Vintage carper set I didn't ask about the I.M. carpets. The samples were in books from some supplier who selle to anyone I believe. If I ever re do carpet in my car I'd start with what I.M. uses.
Lowes sells lots of carpet but it's important to get one that cleans up well, and dries as if it was never damp. And doesn't smell like my French Bulldogs when wet! PHEW!!
