Sequence Question

[kirby]

I am mid build on my cobra. I bought the kit partially completed and have gotten to the go cart stage. I am struggling to decide if I should install carpet prior to fitting the body or fit the body and the go back to put carpet in. It looks like it has been done both ways and I already put in the sound deadner.

I would like to drive the car for a while prior to painting as others have done.

Can the more experience d builders chime in with the pros and cons of putting carpet in before body work?

[edwardb]

Carpet is way easier to put in without the body on. It's also better to wait until after your body work is done (the part when the body is still on the chassis) because dust will go everywhere. But if you're planning to drive in gel coat for awhile, not a huge effort to vacuum the carpet later.

[gbranham]

Ditto. I did the carpet in my MkIII before putting the body on. I remember thinking 'this would've been so much harder with the body on'.

Greg

[Jeff Kleiner]

I've done it both ways and have gotten cars in for body & paint both ways; neither is a deal breaker. All else being equal it's easier to install prior to having the body on but if it's in place before bodywork there's more cover up/clean up. Ideal scenario is to do all of the bodywork before carpet and then install the carpet while the body is off for paint.

Jeff

[rthomas98]

I did it with the body was off before body work. Just got done cleaning up the all the red dust wasn't too bad getting out. I do recommend picking one of these up as it does a great job getting it out:

https://www.amazon.com/Portable-self-Cleaning-HydroRinse-Upholstery-2513E/dp/B07QCW1MZX/ref=sr_1_6?crid=2K144U7C4O5IY&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.GIKLlh3miejoRK8M4FLtdAHpmZsZzVOvP cwJFDlcSB758BgdBmqYYuSvrzzrc93tIqUXlxifnGs-wGdUtVEXDIGXV9NjrzaKTq1K9UQrS7rlF2CDQ1K1LY9mwW70Vw WAUfd4E4ukvQOhxBb7i6MgYrZIeOb4ukkc-ADzY0i73AkWbW_a_9tXrPcTbE4_MtsGjwXIKNj1o37vVTcnNTw SOjmjtk82P3zGT24MpMCKbQc._D-wowL1EZTxuHhx-ztYvJGaHn5q453zYll0uDgg5JA&dib_tag=se&keywords=bissell+little+green+machine&qid=1718154604&sprefix=bissel%2Caps%2C190&sr=8-6

Spray down with your favorite foaming carpet cleaner spray can and just use hot water no detergent in the machine. Very important I tested a small spot in the trunk with the detergent that comes with the cleaner and actually sucked a little bit of the dye off the carpet. I have a lighter spot in the back of my trunk now. So be sure to use the foaming spray stuff (IE tuff stuff or turtle wax power out) You will see every bit you missed with the shop vac. Just sit back and watch the water turn red like koolaid as you clean it out. Just don't drink it. :D

[Railroad]

I would put in the back of the footbox on both sides before closing in the outsides of the boxes, before body and paint.
If I remember correctly the top of the passenger side foot box also gets carpet. That too.

[kirby]

Thanks for all the responses guys. I think I will move forward with putting it in and then fit the body.