66 Carpet Removal Tips

[Mike Andresen]

I'm about to tear apart my interior in preparation for installing new carpet and replacing seat covers in my 66 roadster. This is a first time activity.

I've done a search through the Driveline archives as well as a look through my old Corvette Enthusiast magazines but I don't find any good carpet replacement articles.

Specific questions I have:

- How much clean up of old glue will I face? The original carpet coming out has been there since 1966 and is literally falling apart.
- Any good tips on cleaning up the remains - solvents, wire brushes, blow torches (just kidding!)

Any other tips or suggestions people might have would be appreciated.

Cheers
Mike Andresen
#27410

[Mike Andresen]

Archives To The Rescue

I hadn't worked withthe archives on this site before and just did. Great stuff. I think I answered most of my q's with a string from Nov 07. I believe I will try to 3M solvent recommended. Of course any other wisdom from the board would be appreciated.

[Mike Andresen]

Archives To The Rescue

I hadn't worked withthe archives on this site before and just did. Great stuff. I think I answered most of my q's with a string from Nov 07. I believe I will try to 3M solvent recommended. Of course any other wisdom from the board would be appreciated.

[Gary Schisler]

Re: Archives To The Rescue

I scraped my 66 floor until it was spotless. What a HUGE waste of time. By the time I layed the jute underlayment in and then put the carpet on, I could have hidden a small dog under it and not noticed. Clean well, scrape up the big stuff and leave the tiny nubs alone, imo. Measure twice, fit three times and then cut the carpet. Even then, cut the tunnel carpet a bit oversize. I used the 3M spray adhesive and it said to wait until it is almost dry, iirc, but I let it sit until it was still a bit tacky. That allowed me to move the carpet around a wee bit while the glue was still wet.

[Gary Schisler]

Re: Archives To The Rescue

I scraped my 66 floor until it was spotless. What a HUGE waste of time. By the time I layed the jute underlayment in and then put the carpet on, I could have hidden a small dog under it and not noticed. Clean well, scrape up the big stuff and leave the tiny nubs alone, imo. Measure twice, fit three times and then cut the carpet. Even then, cut the tunnel carpet a bit oversize. I used the 3M spray adhesive and it said to wait until it is almost dry, iirc, but I let it sit until it was still a bit tacky. That allowed me to move the carpet around a wee bit while the glue was still wet.

[Mike Andresen]

Re: Archives To The Rescue

Gary
Thanks for the suggestion. Have you had any experience with the glue you brush on? I considered the spray but wasn't sure if there would be a problem with overspray. What do you think?

Cheers
Mike

[Mike Andresen]

Re: Archives To The Rescue

Gary
Thanks for the suggestion. Have you had any experience with the glue you brush on? I considered the spray but wasn't sure if there would be a problem with overspray. What do you think?

Cheers
Mike

[Gerard F.]

Re: 66 Carpet Removal Tips

Mike,

I redid my original 67 carpet, it's really a piece of cake.

Try to take out your old carpet sections out in one piece, and then use it as a pattern for t******* the replacements, especially the fronts. Close attention to the cut along the center console, cut it fat, you can always trim it later.

If it's a driver, you might consider one of those thin heat barriers, they really don't effect the fit.

Save your originals, there are guys out there who would love to have them just for the pattern and the little details. Me excluded, I threw mine away.

I used that 3M spray on adhesive, works just great.

On the seat covers, take your time. That's a more difficult job, best done in the summer time when you can hang the new covers out in the sun to soften them up to stretch around new foam. Get one of the vendor tapes or CDs on this.

Have fun.

Jerry Fuccillo
#42179

[Gerard F.]

Re: 66 Carpet Removal Tips

Mike,

I redid my original 67 carpet, it's really a piece of cake.

Try to take out your old carpet sections out in one piece, and then use it as a pattern for t******* the replacements, especially the fronts. Close attention to the cut along the center console, cut it fat, you can always trim it later.

If it's a driver, you might consider one of those thin heat barriers, they really don't effect the fit.

Save your originals, there are guys out there who would love to have them just for the pattern and the little details. Me excluded, I threw mine away.

I used that 3M spray on adhesive, works just great.

On the seat covers, take your time. That's a more difficult job, best done in the summer time when you can hang the new covers out in the sun to soften them up to stretch around new foam. Get one of the vendor tapes or CDs on this.

Have fun.

Jerry Fuccillo
#42179

[Richard S.]

Re: 66 Carpet Removal Tips

Mike,

Take your time with the cutting and t******* of the carpet. Don't cut too short around the top of the console on both sides nor at the tops of the footwells. Good luck.

[Richard S.]

Re: 66 Carpet Removal Tips

Mike,

Take your time with the cutting and t******* of the carpet. Don't cut too short around the top of the console on both sides nor at the tops of the footwells. Good luck.

[Dave C.]

Re: 66 Carpet Removal Tips

Don't the interior carpet "kits" have them precut?

[Dave C.]

Re: 66 Carpet Removal Tips

Don't the interior carpet "kits" have them precut?

[Richard S.]

Re: 66 Carpet Removal Tips

Dave,

The carpet kits are precut.....but not to "exact fit" specs....some t******* and fitting is required, especially in the areas I referred to and at the two door sills. T******* just a bit too much can ruin the fit....always best to press fit and measure carefully before cutting anywhere. Also glueing from the middle of the car out....seems to help with the fitting....as does warm temperatures and heavy weights.

[Richard S.]

Re: 66 Carpet Removal Tips

Dave,

The carpet kits are precut.....but not to "exact fit" specs....some t******* and fitting is required, especially in the areas I referred to and at the two door sills. T******* just a bit too much can ruin the fit....always best to press fit and measure carefully before cutting anywhere. Also glueing from the middle of the car out....seems to help with the fitting....as does warm temperatures and heavy weights.