SCFFR
02-10-2013, 07:14 AM
Thanks to everyone who responded to my carpet post last week, I was able to get started on my installation so I thought I would post some details and pics. I had researched the forums to determine how much carpet I needed for the interior and ended up ordering 6 yds (80" wide) of Bentley carpet from the local auto upholsterer I've used on a few other projects. I also order 2 yds of a medium grade cut pile carpet (80" wide) to use for the trunk.
I had taken the suggestions of several members and made paper patterns of just about every aluminum panel prior to installing them. I found that the best paper for making patterns is red rosin paper that is used mostly between wood flooring and the subfloor. It's very heavy duty and a 3' x 167' roll is only $12 which is so much cheaper that buying small rolls of brown kraft paper. It's available at Lowes, Home Depot and even the small Ace Hardware store in the next town.
The first thing I did was to fit and trim the patterns since I had installed Rattletrap sound deadener all through the trunk. Taking a tip from several members, I painted the areas where there would be carpet joints black to help hide any spots that might pull away or not fit exactly. Unfortunately this didn't turn out too well since the Weldwood contact cement that I was using in places where I couldn't get the 3M spray, dissolved the paint and made a huge mess. So, if you are going to paint the corners, check the adhesive you are going to use for adverse reaction (the 3M Super 90 spray had no effect on the paint).
Because I would need access to the panels over the fuel tank and the battery box, I couldn't just glue the trunk floor pieces to the floor so I decided to do them in three separate sections. The first section ran from the bulb seal at the rear of the body up and over the first step-up. The second section ran from that edge up the next bend and the final section ran from there to the real bulkhead.
I fitted and glues the side panels first but first pulled off the bulb seal along the aluminum side panels so I could trim the carpet edge more accurately. I saw that it was be pretty much impossible for me to do the sides in just one piece so made a joint at the rear roll bar support which is completely invisible. After the sides were done, was able to cut all of the bottom pieces and then took them to the upholsterer to have the edges bound.
After getting the edges of the carpet bound, there were a few small gaps along the sides so decided to run a couple of strips of carpet along there. That worked great and left an area where I installed some jute padding. Since it was the same thickness as the carpet, everything laid flat without any fasteners.
I'm building a street version MkIV so not using the 4-point belts (installing vintage-style aircraft buckle belts) or the roll bar mounts so I made a panel out of 1/4" wood and covered in vinyl to hide those brackets. Upside is that it created a nice storage area for like a tool roll, flashlight, etc.
Certainly no better than anyone else's installation, just a few things different. IF I had to do it again, I would use the Bentley carpet instead. It's such a better carpet and so much easier to cut and fit due to the upgraded backing.
Currently working on the interior carpet and will posts some pics and details when I finish. Thanks.
Ron
15379153801538115382
I had taken the suggestions of several members and made paper patterns of just about every aluminum panel prior to installing them. I found that the best paper for making patterns is red rosin paper that is used mostly between wood flooring and the subfloor. It's very heavy duty and a 3' x 167' roll is only $12 which is so much cheaper that buying small rolls of brown kraft paper. It's available at Lowes, Home Depot and even the small Ace Hardware store in the next town.
The first thing I did was to fit and trim the patterns since I had installed Rattletrap sound deadener all through the trunk. Taking a tip from several members, I painted the areas where there would be carpet joints black to help hide any spots that might pull away or not fit exactly. Unfortunately this didn't turn out too well since the Weldwood contact cement that I was using in places where I couldn't get the 3M spray, dissolved the paint and made a huge mess. So, if you are going to paint the corners, check the adhesive you are going to use for adverse reaction (the 3M Super 90 spray had no effect on the paint).
Because I would need access to the panels over the fuel tank and the battery box, I couldn't just glue the trunk floor pieces to the floor so I decided to do them in three separate sections. The first section ran from the bulb seal at the rear of the body up and over the first step-up. The second section ran from that edge up the next bend and the final section ran from there to the real bulkhead.
I fitted and glues the side panels first but first pulled off the bulb seal along the aluminum side panels so I could trim the carpet edge more accurately. I saw that it was be pretty much impossible for me to do the sides in just one piece so made a joint at the rear roll bar support which is completely invisible. After the sides were done, was able to cut all of the bottom pieces and then took them to the upholsterer to have the edges bound.
After getting the edges of the carpet bound, there were a few small gaps along the sides so decided to run a couple of strips of carpet along there. That worked great and left an area where I installed some jute padding. Since it was the same thickness as the carpet, everything laid flat without any fasteners.
I'm building a street version MkIV so not using the 4-point belts (installing vintage-style aircraft buckle belts) or the roll bar mounts so I made a panel out of 1/4" wood and covered in vinyl to hide those brackets. Upside is that it created a nice storage area for like a tool roll, flashlight, etc.
Certainly no better than anyone else's installation, just a few things different. IF I had to do it again, I would use the Bentley carpet instead. It's such a better carpet and so much easier to cut and fit due to the upgraded backing.
Currently working on the interior carpet and will posts some pics and details when I finish. Thanks.
Ron
15379153801538115382