Carpet "nails" ,what to do with these.

[John Schuller]

Well, here goes my first post here. Couldn't
find this info in a search.
I'm in the process of replacing carpet
in my '63 coupe. I've removed the carpet
pieces and after removing the
original glued in foam backing, I'm left
with quite a few nails (brads) that
were evidently used to retain the original
pieces. How do the experts handle these?
Just remove them, and glue down the new pieces
or what?
Thanks.
John

[Joe R.]

Re: Carpet "nails" ,what to do with these.

John,

I am somewhat confused about your post. I have removed the carpet from several 63 Coupe's and several other mid years and have never encountered a brad or staple holding the carpet in place. I'm nearly positive that they were never used to hold carpet in any mid year. They may be encountered during some restorations but I don't believe GM ever used any staples. Some screws on earlier models but no staples or brads.

Just remove them and fill the holes as you have a communication with the street you don't need. Then use 3M General Purpose Trim Adhesive to attach your new carpet. You won't need staples if you follow the directions on the 3M product.

Also, trial fit your carpet pieces BEFORE spraying the adhesive. It will save you a lot of grief by going slow and careful.

Good question! Let us know more about your "Split Window" as the restoration continues.

Regards,

JR

[John Schuller]

Re: Carpet "nails" ,what to do with these.

I was confused too. But this being the first Corvette I've taken carpet out of,
I thought it may have been how the factory secured the pieces while the adhesive dried. Now it looks like it was some yoyo's idea of recarpeting! Good thing
there are only about 25 of these.
Thanks for the advise.

[Harry Sadlock]

Re: Carpet "nails" ,what to do with these.

JR, I also have several nails/brads in both the drivers and passenger side of my 63. I left them in, except 1, when I put in new carpet. If I can find it I'll send you a picture. They are about 1 inch .75 inches long and look as if they are nails that you would use today in assembling a wood deck.

I have an April 20th built car.

John, can you post a picture or send a picture to JR and I.

Thanks

Harry
38513

[Joe R.]

Re: Carpet "nails" ,what to do with these.

Harry,

Just like John said,"Some YoYo's idea of carpeting." The early or first one built story won't hold water as there were thousands of corvettes built before 63 and none of them had staples or nails.

Regards,

JR

[Michael D.]

Re: Carpet "nails" ,what to do with these.

Years ago upholsterers would use "carpet nails" to hold carpeting in place. If your Corvette had a carpet with a foam backing it was not original carpet anyway. All carpeting before the 70's had jute padding. The nails were used mostly in the, I'm guessing from expereince, the 20's ?? to early 60's. Some shops used them and still do for cars other than Corvettes. Take your time cutting and fitting the carpet before you glue it. Good Luck MikeD

[Ray C.]

[Joe R.]

Re: Carpet "nails" ,what to do with these.

Mike,

Sorry, but the mid years 63 and 64 with non molded carpets had foam backs from the factory and so do the replacements from Al Knock and others.

Regards,

JR

[John Schuller]

Re: Carpet "nails" ,what to do with these.

I pulled one of the nails and took a picture (attached link). Its .085" in dia., unplated steel, with a spiral shank. They look to be placed with some thought, as they are not excessive in number and are placed in just about the same locations on the opposite side of the car.
History of carpet in this car appears to be this: Original carpet was foam backed.
found the original "football" still glued in place under the last replacement.
By the way, its a late '63 car.
John

[Harry Sadlock]

Re: Carpet "nails" ,what to do with these.

John, the nails in mine are identical to the one in the picture. My car has always been in New England (Mass, Maine, NH). If your from here maybe we had carpets replaced at the same location, or something different happened when they were originally installed. It's always fun to get fellow owners to pull up some carpet to see if nails exist in late production cars. Let's see what happens.

Cheers

Harry

[John Schuller]

Re: Carpet "nails" ,what to do with these.

Harry,
I'm the fourth owner of this car (I've had it for the last 21 years) and I
know who the first, second and third owners were. It's always resided in the
Olympic penninsula area of Washington state. I guess I don't know the build date.
Its last VIN digits are 113118.
I wonder if indeed these were commonly used by shops like Mike D said, or at least were available from upholstery shops years back.
John

[Harry Sadlock]

Re: Carpet "nails" ,what to do with these.

John, my car is 113356. Interesting!

Harry

[Jack J.]

Re: Carpet "nails" ,what to do with these.

JR and fellow members, as the original owner of a May 1 built 64 coupe, I'm having a difficult time excepting the notion that carpeting was foam backed in 1964, at least in my case, the oppostite is true. Years ago, I had front carpets of a different color made using the original pieces as templates. To this day I don't recollect any foam being on the back of those pieces. The new pieces were never installed but I still retain the coupe's original Silver/Grey carpeting in the rear compartment and I just did a check a little awhile ago and there is NO FOAM BACKING.

[Gordon Peterson #4961]

Re: Carpet "nails" ,what to do with these.

My August-built SWC had foam backing (at least in the front) and no brads.

Pete

[Jack J.]

Re: Carpet "nails" ,what to do with these.

Gordon, are you the original owner? If not, any chance the carpets were replaced and what is under the rear carpets? Jack Jagello