Carpet set from World Upholstery arrived!

[Paddy_Crow]

I just got my carpet set today, it looks incredible! I can't wait to get it installed. I will provide some pictures once it's in. I'll also save any comments on fit for then.

I went with a non-standard color with my red vinyl. It's their gray square weave. I told them to edge it how they normally would do that color. They went with a black, I'm really liking how it sets the gray off with the red.

I'm going to be using Dynamat/liner, it's a peel and stick pad. To those of you that have installed your own carpet, which pieces did you glue and which did you not glue? If you used the Dynaliner, did you use the same contact adhesive to glue the carpet to that as to the steel?

[Paddy_Crow]

Also, what kind of glue did you use?

[bpossel]

I installed Dynamat & new carpet last year.  I used 3M Adhesive for Carpet & Trim.  Worked well glueing the carpet to the metal and also to the foil Dynamat material.

I didnt glue down the 4 pieces for the floor wells(2 front, 2 under the seats).  This way you can lift them out, clean them and also ensure no water is under them.  

I taped certain pieces (ie. inner rocker wall side pieces) on the top edge along the chrome strips.  Then carefully lifted them up and sprayed the adhesive, working my way down to the floors.  Used a wallpaper roller to ensure carpet was pressed down with the glue. The top section of these pieces can then be pressed into the chrome strip along the door using a plastic putty knife.

I area that caused a bit of an issue was the back wall of the soft top well.  The left side, as it curves around from the soft top handle towards the right side, is not completely even, so take your time glueing this back piece.  Tape the piece on the top edge and do a dry fit to ensure it is evenly set.  Then start glueing it from the top left side first.  I would suggest glueing the left side completly, then the middle section working your way towards the right and finish on the right side.  The 3M glue is applied on the carpet back and also on the car metal, so you can stick it and peel it away again if you need to readjust as you install.

When I re-install carpet and Dynamat again this summer as I complete my resto, I will do it the same way, except I may use the Dynamat Pads for the 4 floor sections so that I can lift the Dynamat & carpet out of the wells and clean and ensure no water is hiding under them...

Bob

[Paddy_Crow]

Thanks, Bob.

So the 3M adhesive comes in an aerosol can? Did you have any problems with overspray? How many cans did you use?

I'm also thinking of not gluing down the piece that goes over the transmission hump, or at least only gluing the lower part of it.

[bpossel]

There will be overspray.  You need to tape and cover areas surrounding.  I used ~ 2 cans.  Yes, forgot to mention... I also did not glue down the trans hump piece.  I did glue some extra backing (padding) to it so that it would lay better.

quote:Originally posted by Paddy_Crow

Thanks, Bob.

So the 3M adhesive comes in an aerosol can? Did you have any problems with overspray? How many cans did you use?

I'm also thinking of not gluing down the piece that goes over the transmission hump, or at least only gluing the lower part of it.

[Paddy_Crow]

Is this the stuff?

One more question, have you found a product that does a really good job deep cleaning the MB-tex?

[Richard Madison]

On a previous car, the Cognac MB Tex had ten plus years of embedded dirt...tried many fancy products. The one that did the job was undiluted Lestoil (used traditionally to clean public toilets).

Apply the Lestoil with a fairly stiff bristle brush (don't use a wire brush)...lots of hard brushing...wipe off with a paper towel...more Lestoil. It did the job and cleaned the Tex very nicely.

Richard M. My current ride has a "Dark Brown" interior which does not show dirt.

[bpossel]

Here's the stuff I used...



Bob  

[Paddy_Crow]

I've used the Lestoil, it did a pretty good job. I also threw in a little Tilex figuring the bleach might help. Didn't touch a thing. I was hoping there might be something a little more potent.

I'm trying to get my dash good and clean before I put a few coats of the WU vinyl dye on it. I tested it on an inconspicuous place, it's a darn good match. But I expect some of the dark stains to show through, so I'd like to soften them as much as possible.

[waqas]

What did you folks use to remove the old glued carpet?

Are there any easy ways to remove glued carpet non-destructively?

[perry113]

Carpet Installation.

I have used both spray adhesive and contact cement(brush on) on several interior projects. Here's my take.

No question brush on contact cement will work much better than any spray adhesive. I did 2 coats. Allow time for 1st coat to dry (est 5 to 10 minutes) before applying second coat. Brush on thin coats. Apply to both sides. The more coats the stronger the adhesion.

Remember to let it dry (dry tacky) before final intallation.

I would not use any spray (even 3M). It will not tack 100%. It's messy. The stuff floats in the air and gets everywhere (overspray). I gaurantee you see certain areas lift after a short amount of time.

I glued all pieces in except the carpeting under the seats (2) and within each footwell (2). My reasoning was in case of the event the floors get water inside, I can easily lift up carpets to dry.

I hope this helps
Peter Perry
1965 230SL

[Paddy_Crow]

quote:Originally posted by waqas

What did you folks use to remove the old glued carpet?

Are there any easy ways to remove glued carpet non-destructively?

I just pulled mine out with my hands. It all came out without damaging it, although I didn't care because I wasn't going to reuse it.

One reason I'm thinking of leaving the transmission hump piece unglued or only partially glued is to protect for the eventuality that I'll need access to the trans through the covered holes.

[waqas]

quote:Originally posted by Paddy_Crow

One reason I'm thinking of leaving the transmission hump piece unglued or only partially glued is to protect for the eventuality that I'll need access to the trans through the covered holes.

Good call. This is precisely my dilemma. My transmission hump carpet is glued down and I need to access the transmission from above. Pulling by hand has causing the carpet to come unravelled. So I stopped.

Perhaps a scraper and some kind of non-destructive solvent will help?  Any ideas?

[Paddy_Crow]

I just wanted to add a comment on World Upholstry's water based dye. I bought a pint to refresh the dash. I can't believe how well this stuff works on the MB-tex, it looks almost new. Dark stains still show, but they are very much diminished. I've decided to use it on almost all the vinyl, except for my seats which have been recovered.

Time will tell how it holds up to use and cleaning products.

[Douglas]

Yeah, it's great stuff that water-based dye. Are you applying it with a brush? What color are you using?

[Paddy_Crow]

My tex is red, I'm applying it with those foam paint brushes. I find I have better control without the stray bristles you get with regular brushes.

[waqas]

Are you using the water-based dye to change colour or restore the original colour? I'd love to see pictures when you're done. (before / after would be a bonus!)

[Paddy_Crow]

Restoring the original color. I'll be sure to post pics when I get further along.

[Paddy_Crow]

I wound up using Weldwood brush on contact cement from Home Depot. Nearly a gallon of it! It seems to be sticking extremely well, I guess only time will tell on the long term viability.

I am hoping to be done with the interior in a few weeks. I'm very happy with the choice I made to go with a non-standard color combination. I really like the gray carpet with the red MB-tex on the rest of the interior. Also glad I chose to paint the floor a flat black, any gap in the carpet will blend in with the edging.

[waqas]

Looks great so far!

[psmith]

Paddy - Great color combination and nice job on the installation.

Waqas - I removed my carpets with a heavy scraper.  Once you can get it under an edge, you can work it under the carpet breaking the glue.  Keep it angled toward the metal so you don't tear the carpet.  When I put the new carpet in I had the shop screw down the edges of the piece over the hump, but it didn't come out that well.  What did you do on yours Paddy?

[Paddy_Crow]

Almost done, I'm pretty happy with the fit and quality of the carpet set.

Check out the iPod input under the dash by the glove box...

[waqas]

Looks sharp!

[benzportland]

Excellent idea - I have been doing my bushings and was greatly relieved to find mine not glued down.  I also found a missing part - the little leather piece inset for the window crank - hiding under there!

quote:Originally posted by Paddy_Crow

quote:Originally posted by waqas

What did you folks use to remove the old glued carpet?

Are there any easy ways to remove glued carpet non-destructively?

I just pulled mine out with my hands. It all came out without damaging it, although I didn't care because I wasn't going to reuse it.

One reason I'm thinking of leaving the transmission hump piece unglued or only partially glued is to protect for the eventuality that I'll need access to the trans through the covered holes.

[psmith]

Looks great Paddy.  Is the dash silver/gray like the carpets?