Interior project; need advice

[Dave R.]

I am in the process of gutting my interior so I can install some Fatmat sound deadener and new carpet. I have two questions and I need some advice:

1) How do I remove the glued on jute backing that came off of the when I removed it? I assume that I have to get the surface pretty clean in order for the Fatmat to adhere and do its job.

2) Of course there's always one fastener that has to cause problems and mine is one of the T-top tie down clips that are screwed to the rear cargo area (1969 coupe). I got the one side out relativeley easily but, the other side is giving me fits. I have alreay broken the tip on one of my phillips head screwdrivers trying to break these screws loose; any ideas?

Oh yeah, the black plugs that are used to secure the carpet in some places; can they be saved and re-used or do I have to trash them in order to get them out?

Thanks

[Jim T.]

Re: Interior project; need advice

The black rubber plugs can be saved, but you probably will not save them if you try to remove then from inside the car. Lots of slippery stuff you can use, one is dishwashing detergent for lubrication full strength and work the rubber plug up through the fiberglass.
Just an idea for the screws you mentioned. There is a tool perhaps a free loaner from Auto Zone that is similiar to an impact wrench except you strike the tool with a hammer and it turns out a small degree to break loose frozen screws/bolts. This tool comes in handy with older motorcycles in getting screws out of aluminum casings.

[Harmon C.]

Re: Interior project; need advice

I think on some years the screws holding the chrome T-Top tie downs would not need to be removed because the factory cut a slit in the carpet for the chrome loop to come through.

Lyle

[Jean C.]

Re: Interior project; - Safety First

Dave,
From personal experience...if you clean dried glue, jute pad and/or carpet from the floorboards of your car with a scraper, wire brush, etc, be extremely careful to not breath the dust the cleaning produces. Use a dust mask (one that fits well and is efficent) and you will save yourself some grief.

Best regards,
Charlie

[Dave R.]

Re: Interior project; - Safety First

Too late, I have already used a scraper this afternoon to remove some of the jute that remained on the floor. What are the potential side affects of breathing in the dust created by the scraping?

[Jean C.]

Re: Interior project; - Safety First

Dave, my experience was an infection that set in after a round of inhaling the dust from the cleaning and scraping that I did. A round of antibiotic was required to get the infection cleared up but the coughing and hacking hung on for weeks.
Charlie