INSTALLING CARPET

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macedon, NY - USA

Joined: 7/20/2006

Posts: 367

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 !!

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

Posted: 10/8/11 5:22pmMessage 2 of 28

Willis76

Lifetime Member

Rockland, MA - USA

Joined: 1/30/2003

Posts: 585

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

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!

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Re: INSTALLING CARPET

Posted: 10/8/11 6:47pmMessage 3 of 28

Standard Member

macedon, NY - USA

Joined: 7/20/2006

Posts: 367

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

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Re: INSTALLING CARPET

Posted: 10/9/11 6:18amMessage 4 of 28

ebo

Lifetime Member

Holland Patent, NY - USA

Joined: 6/3/2008

Posts: 4422

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

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

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Re: INSTALLING CARPET

Posted: 10/9/11 12:20pmMessage 5 of 28

rod7515

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Red Lion, PA - USA

Joined: 10/27/2006

Posts: 1182

Vette(s): 1974 White 350 Corvette, TH400 Automatic 1972 Tangerine /Go Mango Convertible 383 Stroker, 2004r Automatic

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

Posted: 10/9/11 4:32pmMessage 6 of 28

Standard Member

macedon, NY - USA

Joined: 7/20/2006

Posts: 367

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

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Re: INSTALLING CARPET

Posted: 10/10/11 10:23amMessage 7 of 28

Adams' Apple

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Duncanville, TX - USA

Joined: 11/8/2003

Posts: 22715

Vette(s): #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

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 Adams
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"Money can't buy happiness -- but somehow it's more comforting to cry in a CORVETTE than in a Kia"

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Re: INSTALLING CARPET

Posted: 10/10/11 11:14amMessage 8 of 28

my7t1

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Dorr, MI - USA

Joined: 8/21/2002

Posts: 2581

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

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.

Click on images for Before and After pics!

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Re: INSTALLING CARPET

Posted: 10/10/11 11:39amMessage 9 of 28

Standard Member

macedon, NY - USA

Joined: 7/20/2006

Posts: 367

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 !

Joe

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Re: INSTALLING CARPET

Posted: 10/10/11 11:46amMessage 10 of 28

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