Just received my new carpet from Wilcox, Auto Custom Carpet, does anyone have any tips on installation? Carpet does not come with installation instructions, or adhesive. I would assume I need to adhere at least the pieces that go on the storage lids.

I sent them a message, but figured you guys would know better than them anyways! lol

 

I would wait until it's warm and leave it in the sun to be plyable. I used contact glue seamed to work well.

 

You don't need to glue down the whole thing, but it does help in certain places to keep parts of it down.

You'll want to install the carpet when it's warm as it'll fit to the form a lot better.

Keep a couple sharp razor blades handy for any quick cuts to perfect a fit.

Go slow, and do it by sections. Rear, then the fronts, side by side.

Also, this is a good time to lay down some heat and sound barrier. Dynamat, Second Skin, ect, ect.

 

This is a decent guide on what to do:

http://www.corvettemagazine.com/2001.../carpetpg1.asp

Good luck,
Dino

 

I knew you guys would have the answers! Thanks.

 

 

Have you already installed heat proofing barrier? If not, you really should do it and then put in the carpet. There are lots of existing threads on the heat insulation stuff.

 

No, I havent installed the carpet yet. It is about a month or so away for that. Just about finished with my temp. 350 that I am going to install, while I build a dated 350/350 for her. I want to clean up the engine area, install ALL new brake system before I put the carpet in, I dont want to dirty it....

Should be the end of April at the lastest, I only work on it a couple hours in the evenings, and Sat. Dont want to tick off the wife if you know what I mean! Although I am lucky, she is the one who suggested I take the deal and LOVE the vette, so No Naggin yet! lol

 

Hey I rambbled on and forgot to say what I was going to say. lol

Shoudl I really put the shield in? I mean, I will always have the windows down, t-tops off so I will have sound anyways, and as for head, I have factory side exhaust so the only heat I should feal is from the Road, and I should be going so fast it wont have time to rise to the floor boards! lol

 

YES! Refletix is a very inexpensive heat shield ($25-$30), is easy to install, is not too thick, and is available at Home Improvment stores. Tape the seams with metalic/aluminum tape too!
3-M spray adhesive works well for carpet.
Eddie

 

Here is a tip that a lot forget about. NEVER install new carpet or floor insulation when you think there may be a water leak. If you have ever had wet carpets...you need to solve that before spending all the time and money to insulate and carpet if it's just gonna get wet and rot like the old carpet.

 

In Cali at 100 F ambient air, I get Raytek readings of 120 F in my 78 footwells...tops off, no matter what speed...
In the 69 with splash shields on exterior footwells with insulation, temps match outside ambient air in footwells....big difference..

69 shields/insulation...I'm fitting these on the 78 soon...available at ZIP...





In Ohio,with 30 year mean (July)average temps of 75 F,you should be just fine with the Refletix under carpet...

Rich

 

Is it enough to use Reflectix on the front only to control heat or should both the front and rear areas be done?

Thanks,
Johnny

 

I would suggest doing every under-carpet surface for the best coverage.

 

i would also suggest getting inside the doors also if you have small hands (or a child you can trust, lol). the more surface area you cover with heat barrier, the better. it definitely does help.

steve

 

I installed carpet in both my C4 and C3. I don't think I used any adhesive in the 72. Lay it out in the car to get the feel of how it goes. The carpet is designed to be held down by the parts it meets, such as kickplates, consoles, seat brackets, sills etc. You may need to do some trimming but remember: you can trim several times but once cut, it is hard to repair. As with most corvette projects, the best tools are common sense, patience and good tools. Here's a couple pics of my interior in progress last year:



Hope this has been helpful.........

 

I like to use the 3M Heavy Duty stuff. Works very well if you follow the directions BUT you have to place it correctly the first time. No second chances with this stuff. Only put it in places where you need it to stay. Don't use it all over.

 

Normally, I'm not fond of red interiors, but my goodness that looks good!

 

You can do the whole interior if you want to. I DID NOT do anything in the rear compartment [and didn't see why I should]. There is no real heat source and there's lots of under-car airflow to clear whatever heat shows up. Also, I didn't know how to put the insulation AND carpeting on the storage doors. I DID do the upright panel just behind the seats. If you do that, don't forget to put the hole in the insulation & carpet for the rear console bolt (I did!!!).
I haven't been sorry that I didn't do the rear compartment.....don't think it would have made much difference. To do the rear is BETTER; to not do it is EASIER.

7T1vette

 

WOW you guys are great! I cant wait to share some of my experience with some people, as I gain them that is.. Hey, I DID! Couple things I learned so far:
1. If you but a vette, check it out throughly, make sure you are either able to do the work, or afford it to get done. I didnt do this, but then again, I didnt go looking for a Vette and for $4,500, couldnt beat it.
2. Gettin those rear Rotors are a B I T C H to get off, helps to drill out the rivits! lol
3. When the Motor appears to be a 350, check it closly, just might find a rare 302 tucked in there as I did!
4. Join this Forum, LOTS and I mean LOTS of great people on here that I hope to have the pleasure to meet some day.

Now, back to why the tread was created. I appreciate all the reasons for putting the heat blanket in, but will it really do anything for me in OHIO, and the fact that I have side pipes? The heat will be on the outside of my doors from the exhaust, except the firewall I guess, and heck, the sound the pipes will be putting out should be loader than the road under me I would think.

Not trying to be cheap, I understand the cost is minimual, just thinking it will make the installtion harder, to make sure it is sitting well, and the carpet lays nice on it.

Hmmm.... What shall I do?