C2 Carpet Installation

[Dave K.]

I'm almost ready to install my carpet in my 66 body off resto convertible. I have a new carpet kit from Al Knoch. Can anyone refer me to an earlier post or a video available to instruct on the installation? Al Knoch sells/rents a video for installation in earlier mid years but not in the later year mid years.

Regards,
Dave Kitch

[Gary S.]

Re: C2 Carpet Installation

Dave, when I replaced the carpet in my 66 with the Al Knoch replacement set, I didn't use any video or other visual aid. I believe the installation is a very easy, but time consuming, job. Two recommendations, pull your steering wheel, and get yourself a new blade for your razor knife. In addition, let the carpet sit in the sun for a couple of hours - assuming that the Pittsburgh area ever warms up.

Dry fit your carpet several times before you start gluing anything. Of course, your seats and center console plate will be out. When you start playing with the carpet as it runs up the transmission tunnel, you can see how high it goes before it needs to be trimmed. Trim that portion LAST, otherwise, you may trim it a bit short. Don't ask how I know this. One more thing, don't forget the proper cutouts for the seat rails. My old copy of the 66 JG is a little vague on the description of the cut. I finally had someone send me, offline, a digital photo of the cuts in their original carpet.

When you start gluing, the contact cement can will tell you to let the parts set up, once both the carpet and the pad have been glued. My personal recommendation is to let the glue set only long enough for it to develop a very light skin. That will allow you and your helper to position the carpet and then move it around before the glue sets. Wear old clothes and be prepared to get some glue on your hands. I haven't figured out how to install carpet without getting glue on me and my clothes. Your helper should have a sixth sense and be able to read your mind so that when you need an extra hand, he/she is there. Once it is all in place, the seats are re-installed, shifter plate on but not screwed in, and the sill plates in, you can see how much needs to be trimmed.
Gary

[Bill Stephenson]

Re: C2 Carpet Installation

Dave,

-----Gary has given you good advice. Remember that on the drivers side front the starting place should be the two throttle-pedal screw holes. Grab a couple of pics or small diameter,phillips-head screwdrivers,then pierce the appropriate holes through the screw-hole locations on the heel pad of the carpet. Run the pics or screw-drivers through the holes in the heel-pad and down thru the holes in the floor. This way you have those holes in exactly the right spot. Also,dont forget the pressed board spacer between the carpet and floor to put the throttle pedal at its correct height!
-----This is just one helping tid-bit among many we all can help you with,but alot of the installation is just common sense. Feel free to ask away as you need to...........Bill S

[Kent K.]

One more bit of advice!!!

Dave,

Gary and Bill have given you almost everything you need to know about carpet installation except I would add one more bit of advice. If you smoke, DON'T. Keep any flame, spark, ignition source or hot glowing object far away from the carpet installation process. Fumes from carpet adhesive are extremely flamable and will scare you to death when they ignite. This happened to me while restoring my '67 over ten years ago and I still remember it. The WHOOOOOSH of the flames singed hair from my arms and nearly caught my beard on fire!!! Luckly, I thought fast enough to grab a nearby blanket and smothered the fire before it singed anything else. It did one good task ... it cleaned the carpet of all those little tiny extra long hairs, similar to mowing the greens at your local golf course. The carpet turned out fine. I became balder than normal.

Good luck,
Kent #6201

[Bill Stephenson]

Re: One more bit of advice!!!

--------WOW,,,,,Balder?????????.......Bummer,Kent!.......B ill S

[Mike M.]

Re: C2 Carpet Installation

Hi Gary, Do you still have the photo's of the carpet cuts. If you do could you email me them.
Thanks Mike

[Gary S.]

Re: C2 Carpet Installation

Mike, I HAD them archived but cannot put my finger on them. This was several years ago and I have switched computers. I got the photos from someone on this list with original carpets still in their car. Perhaps that individual will be able to help again?
Gary