Interior Carpet

[Peeker]

Trying to decide how to install my carpet. I’m leaning towards silicon especially in the foot box areas, it is better with heat and it is going to be really hard to get the carpet in the driver side to be exactly right the first time. If I use silicon I feel like I could move it around a bit. Is there any particular type silicon to use? Just use a caulking gun? Do you spread it around or just hit the edges? I’ve read some stuff on other forums and other cars but wondering what Cobra builders have done. Thanks

[NiceGuyEddie]

Most of use the 3M spray. Spray both sides and stick. You can peel it up withing say 30 seconds or so if it's not right. It takes a very, very, long time to mask things off.

I used 2-sided outdoor carpet tape in some areas to make it easier. Unfortunately, the carpet tape didn't pass the 10-year test. Almost all of it got dry & crusty and I had to re-do a lot of carpet pieces.

[Railroad]

I used black silicone and was pleased with all results. I spread the silicone with a plastic bondo spreader.
I also used a wall paper roller to press the carpet down.
If you have not installed the outside panel on the foot box, it will make the boxes easier to install the carpet. It can be done with the foot boxes complete.
Fit and trim the carpet prior to silicone.
I left some weights on the large flat panels to make sure they stayed flat till set.

[egchewy79]

I used outdoor carpet cement. Gives plenty of time to adjust carpet panels. It's just a little messy and you need to be careful getting it on the carpet.

[RoadRacer]

Interesting post, I hadn't thought of how to secure carpet yet - funny thing I just assumed they would be (self-tap) screwed on with screw cups. That's what I used on previous cars. So you can replace pieces.

[Al_C]

most of the above. I used the 3M spray adhesive on much of it. I used silicone in hard to reach areas where I wanted to be able to move the carpeting once down. Never thought about outdoor carpet cement - that sounds like a pretty good idea!

[Joecobr]

I used DAP Weldwood Landau Adhesive. Works well but no room for error so plan carefully. About one gallon covers the cabin and trunk with maybe a cup full left over. Placed that amount in a sealed mason jar and it is still good for occasional uses 2 years later.

[walt mckenna]

I used two sided tape on insulation and carpeting so that it could be easily replaced if necessary. Going on 8 years and everything still firmly in place.

[Corsair343]

I install carpet for a living I used contact cement and a 3" roller in our roadster. 13 years and no issues with it. The roadster took about 3/4 of a gallon and you can peel it back to reposition the piece as it takes about 24 hours to cure. I will be doing the same for the coupe. If you go this route work outdoors so you don't have to breathe the solvent fumes

[edwardb]

Outdoor carpet adhesive was mentioned so I'll explain a little more. I've tried most everything -- spray adhesive, silicone, various brush-on contact cements including Landau -- and the outdoor carpet adhesive is my favorite by a wide margin. It allows repositioning, which is really important for larger/complex pieces, and once rolled sticks like crazy. It is permanent and you won't get the carpet back up without destroying it. But that's the case with most methods. If you use the solvent based product, which I prefer, it does have a strong solvent smell and needs to be used in a well ventilated area. But again not unique in that regard. I've tried the latex versions, and while a little neater and without the strong smell, doesn't have nearly the same instant tack and hold. I apply it with a 1-1/2" putty knife that I filed small grooves in. You don't need to put it on heavily, and only on one surface. Can be a little messy, but not bad if you're careful. Mineral spirits cleans it up including on the carpet itself without any damage. I specifically use Dap 00443 Weldwood Outdoor Carpet Adhesive. Not easily found in retail stores, and not even sold in some states. But is available on Amazon, which is where I get it. One gallon easily does a full cockpit and trunk.

[nuhale]

I used the DAP landau as I had much if it after using it for my dash. In the end I think it came out good but what a pain. I had to do some repair work where the carpet pulled thru the backing when trying to reposition. The + for landau is it's not going anywhere... - is that it gives you low margin of error. I used a harbor freight HVLP gun to apply it and a gallon got my dash, trunk and cabin done with a little to spare.

[phileas_fogg]

I followed edwardbs's lead & used the Dap 00443 Weldwood Outdoor Carpet Adhesive.

I found it's very easy to work with, gives plenty of time to move the carpet where it needs to be, and cleans up easily with mineral spirits (this is important, because you WILL get adhesive on the face side of the carpet and on the frame where you don't want it).


John

[tbl100]

Outdoor carpet adhesive was mentioned so I'll explain a little more. I've tried most everything -- spray adhesive, silicone, various brush-on contact cements including Landau -- and the outdoor carpet adhesive is my favorite by a wide margin. It allows repositioning, which is really important for larger/complex pieces, and once rolled sticks like crazy. It is permanent and you won't get the carpet back up without destroying it. But that's the case with most methods. If you use the solvent based product, which I prefer, it does have a strong solvent smell and needs to be used in a well ventilated area. But again not unique in that regard. I've tried the latex versions, and while a little neater and without the strong smell, doesn't have nearly the same instant tack and hold. I apply it with a 1-1/2" putty knife that I filed small grooves in. You don't need to put it on heavily, and only on one surface. Can be a little messy, but not bad if you're careful. Mineral spirits cleans it up including on the carpet itself without any damage. I specifically use Dap 00443 Weldwood Outdoor Carpet Adhesive. Not easily found in retail stores, and not even sold in some states. But is available on Amazon, which is where I get it. One gallon easily does a full cockpit and trunk.

I'm getting ready to install carpet soon. I will be using a sound insulation with a foil backing in the cockpit. Will the DAP 00443 stick to the foil on the insulation? Thank you. -Tim

[edwardb]

I'm getting ready to install carpet soon. I will be using a sound insulation with a foil backing in the cockpit. Will the DAP 00443 stick to the foil on the insulation? Thank you. -Tim

I personally haven't used it on foil. Works fine on bare aluminum, which I have done. So expect it would work OK. Not sure there's much of anything it wouldn't stick to. Maybe someone else has direct experience though.

[phileas_fogg]

The DAP 00443 stuck just fine to my foil-backed Dynamat. Pretty sure it would stick to anything we use in these cars.


John