View Full Version : To carpet the trunk or not
Those of you who didn't carpet your trunk, do you regret not carpeting it?
I am considering leaving it raw. The trunk isn't really something I'll use often (it'll be more of a Sunday cruiser). And even when I do, I plan to have a 3M film on a nicely powder coated metal. I already replaced the lower trunk FFR aluminum with a nice, much thicker one.
I also won't have to figure out a solution for my under-trunk battery mod (with IRS).
(I went crazy with drilling because if I end up not covering it with a sound barrier + carpet, I didn't want any rattling or sound).
https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=189287&d=1692911247
cv2065
08-24-2023, 08:47 PM
IMO, little details like this are what makes a good build a great build. Not much additional to finish it off the right way and it's an awkward thing to do after the car is together. You'll be glad you did in the long run, especially when resale time comes.
Ducky2009
08-24-2023, 09:00 PM
Carpet is a good idea. A drop truck is too.
F500guy
08-24-2023, 09:25 PM
Wish I had the attention to detail to get my rivets to look that good! I plan on carpeting, but since I decided to do drop trunk, will need to find more carpet.
egchewy79
08-25-2023, 06:10 AM
I did sound barrier and carpet. I was afraid that anything sitting in there would rattle and drive me nuts.
CraigS
08-25-2023, 07:09 AM
I did sound barrier and carpet. I was afraid that anything sitting in there would rattle and drive me nuts.
Agreed. I carpeted mine. I also kept some tools and stuff in there in fabric tool bags. I put some strips of the hook side of velcro on the bottoms of those bags. It didn't adhere to the carpet like it would to the other type of velcro but it really helped keep them from sliding around.
gbranham
08-25-2023, 09:03 AM
I agree with above; not carpeting the trunk seems like cutting corners, but it's your build, you do you!
I laugh when I see clecos in literally every rivet hole. Sorry, it's funny because it's so completely unnecessary. But again, you do you!
Jeff Kleiner
08-25-2023, 09:33 AM
If you intend to actually carry stuff in the trunk that "stuff" will slide around and mar the surface of either PC or 3M film (you'll also find that the film will not draw down tight on rivet heads and will look like bubbles). FWIW, with my own car I carpeted the floor and did a brushed finish with clear coat on all of the vertical panels.
Jeff
BrewCityCobra
08-25-2023, 09:38 AM
If you intend to actually carry stuff in the trunk that "stuff" will slide around and mar the surface of either PC or 3M film (you'll also find that the film will not draw down tight on rivet heads and will look like bubbles). FWIW, with my own car I carpeted the floor and did a brushed finish with clear coat on all of the vertical panels.
Jeff
Jeff,
Do you happen to have a photo of what that looks like (e.g., carpet on horizontal and brushed sides)? I'm about to start the carpeting process in my trunk and am curious to see what that looks like.
BrewCityCobra
08-25-2023, 09:44 AM
Those of you who didn't carpet your trunk, do you regret not carpeting it?
I am considering leaving it raw. The trunk isn't really something I'll use often (it'll be more of a Sunday cruiser). And even when I do, I plan to have a 3M film on a nicely powder coated metal. I already replaced the lower trunk FFR aluminum with a nice, much thicker one.
I also won't have to figure out a solution for my under-trunk battery mod (with IRS).
(I went crazy with drilling because if I end up not covering it with a sound barrier + carpet, I didn't want any rattling or sound).
https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=189287&d=1692911247
Obviously everybody here has an opinion on this matter but I decided to cover mine in carpet purely because I wanted to install sound deadener to keep any rattling down (with or without items in the trunk) which required carpet to make it look finished.
That said, I was sad to cover up some of that aluminum work as it did look pretty tough.
Jeff Kleiner
08-25-2023, 10:53 AM
I was sad to cover up some of that aluminum work as it did look pretty tough.
My buddy Bart polished the aluminum (he polished EVERY panel in the kit actually) and agonized over getting all of the side to side, front to rear and angled trunk floor rivets to align. He then covered the whole works with carpet! Truth be told I think he just didn't want to be in the house with his (now ex) wife :D
Jeff
rich grsc
08-25-2023, 11:15 AM
Those of you who didn't carpet your trunk, do you regret not carpeting it?
(I went crazy with drilling because if I end up not covering it with a sound barrier + carpet, I didn't want any rattling or sound).
https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=189287&d=1692911247
The number of rivets don't have any effect on rattling, that is taken care by the sealant used between the frame and aluminum. Neither of which can stop 'tin canning', or the vibrating of the aluminum between the frame structures
JohnK
08-25-2023, 11:51 AM
I agree with all of the above. As Rich points out, the sealant will provide some level of damping but the areas of the sheet aluminum between the supports will still resonate. Tap on one of those sections with your finger and then tap on a piece of aluminum that has sound deadening applied and you'll immediately hear the difference. This will manifest as a hollow droning noise when driving. IMO, sound deadening and carpet in the trunk will greatly improve the perception of the quality of the build, not just when people look at your trunk, but also when driving.
BEAR-AvHistory
08-25-2023, 12:18 PM
I drove around for 4 or 5 years with some material sitting on a shelf in the garage. Was a day I was looking to kill a few hours & clean out some stuff in the garage. Took about two hours to fit & install with 3M-99, was sorry I did not do it sooner.
https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/acurazine.com-vbulletin/850x637/80-trunknew_bfea300acb7b1fd863a8f17ed175209303a869b0. jpg
Think its a good result with minimal effort
GoDadGo
08-25-2023, 02:57 PM
The website below has carpet that is a Similar Grade to the Factory Five carpet:
https://www.bassboatseats.com/collections/bass-boat-carpet
The 20-oz matches well from a texture perspective.
https://youtu.be/V38Jajo_qOQ
Avoid the 16-oz at all cost.
CDXXVII
08-25-2023, 04:19 PM
My opinion is to install carpet in your trunk. Your rivets look great but is there really any point to showing them off.
I mostly only take small trips but I always keep stuff in the trunk. Tools, chair, blanket etc.
https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=119935&d=1578077900
https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=145089&d=1616617445
BEAR-AvHistory
08-25-2023, 07:47 PM
My opinion is to install carpet in your trunk. Your rivets look great but is there really any point to showing them off.
I mostly only take small trips but I always keep stuff in the trunk. Tools, chair, blanket etc.
Don't think its a show off thing but a functional thing
The "rivets" are not rivets they are stainless steel sheet metal screws with heads for a hex driver. They have already been used when I replaced the fuel level sender when I swapped the original Auto Meter gauges with custom Speedhut units. I believe access points should provide easy access.
Alright, alright, alright. Convinced. Carpeted it is.
I agree with above; not carpeting the trunk seems like cutting corners, but it's your build, you do you!
I laugh when I see clecos in literally every rivet hole. Sorry, it's funny because it's so completely unnecessary. But again, you do you!
haha, yes. I used to make fun of people who did that. Here's a practical reason: after I drill, I put a cleco on as a test to make sure the hole was drilled properly. It's not necessary, it's just part of my process.
Not carpet, but "trunk liner" material commonly used to finish speaker enclosures for those of us that went through the giant speaker and mega loud stereo phase. The fabric is very forgiving and easily attached with spray adhesive.
https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=93968&d=1537567921
nucjd19
08-25-2023, 08:57 PM
+1 for carpet. You will end up putting stuff back there for sure and will be glad you put carpet in. I powder coated the access panels in the trunk for the senders and the drop battery mod.
https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=189369&d=1693015319
https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=149708&d=1624142920
BEAR-AvHistory
08-26-2023, 11:56 AM
Not carpet, but "trunk liner" material commonly used to finish speaker enclosures for those of us that went through the giant speaker and mega loud stereo phase. The fabric is very forgiving and easily attached with spray adhesive.
I bought my "trunk liner" from Amazon. It was IIRC 54" wide & is sold by the foot. Makes the bends over the trunk floor step downs very sharp & crisp.
BrewCityCobra
08-26-2023, 04:49 PM
My buddy Bart polished the aluminum (he polished EVERY panel in the kit actually) and agonized over getting all of the side to side, front to rear and angled trunk floor rivets to align. He then covered the whole works with carpet! Truth be told I think he just didn't want to be in the house with his (now ex) wife :D
Jeff
Hah, that made me laugh. Sounds like he was quite motivated to work on his car.