'69 Carpet Install
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 125
Likes: 2
From: carmel indiana
'69 Carpet Install
This weekend I plan to install carpeting purchased from Al Knoch. Questions:
1. Where's the best place to start? Rear compartment and work towards the front? Or front to back?
2. For the carpeting in the rear compartment that is on the sides....do those pieces go first followed by the interior deck piece (overlaying slightly the bottoms of the side pieces)?
Thanks
1. Where's the best place to start? Rear compartment and work towards the front? Or front to back?
2. For the carpeting in the rear compartment that is on the sides....do those pieces go first followed by the interior deck piece (overlaying slightly the bottoms of the side pieces)?
Thanks
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 125
Likes: 2
From: carmel indiana
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 3,363
Likes: 303
From: Lansdale 19446 PA
2024 C3 of the Year Finalist- Unmodified
St. Jude Donor '10-'11, '15, '19
I'll offer a suggestion on the wheel house carpets. Lay them out in the sun to heat up a bit. Much more flexible when installing.
And yes - a "bit" of patience will go a long way!
And yes - a "bit" of patience will go a long way!
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 31,160
Likes: 4,241
From: Westminster Maryland
Hi TVP,
NO MATTER how sure you are that you're trimming the right amount.... only trim a little at a time... once you've cut too much, it's a bit difficult to stick the piece back in place.
Patience really does pay off.
Regards,
Alan
NO MATTER how sure you are that you're trimming the right amount.... only trim a little at a time... once you've cut too much, it's a bit difficult to stick the piece back in place.
Patience really does pay off.
Regards,
Alan
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 125
Likes: 2
From: carmel indiana
Thanks for the insight. I plan to see how close the new pieces match up to the old...trim a bit then position...trim more as needed. Then go to the next piece and so forth...and position all pieces in the car to see how it all matches up BEFORE glueing them down
TVP
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 2,609
Likes: 12
From: Massapequa Park NY
Along with trimming small amounts at a time. A heat gun will help soften up the backing to help eliminate wrinkles.I spent an entire day on each one of the pieces over the wheel wells and still couldn't get rid of all the wrinkles
. Wish I never saw Alan's carpet installed 
Can never live up to that standard
Jim
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Drifting
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 1,574
Likes: 155
Advice from this forum made my 69 carpet install relatively easy.
Great advice so far. The absolute best thing I did was prop up the next chunk of carpet in front of the gas fireplace for half an hour.
Super easy to work with when warm. Hard to lay out in sun in the middle of winter.....
Great advice so far. The absolute best thing I did was prop up the next chunk of carpet in front of the gas fireplace for half an hour.
Super easy to work with when warm. Hard to lay out in sun in the middle of winter.....
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 1,574
Likes: 155
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 31,160
Likes: 4,241
From: Westminster Maryland
Hi f,
Besides k's suggestions I put the plugs in hot water to soften them up a bit.
I have a nice collection of plugs with tips that have a split in them.
The plugs on the driver's side front are a bear to get at, and also push through.
Regards,
Alan
Besides k's suggestions I put the plugs in hot water to soften them up a bit.
I have a nice collection of plugs with tips that have a split in them.
The plugs on the driver's side front are a bear to get at, and also push through.
Regards,
Alan
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 1,165
Likes: 93
From: Bellmore NY
After doing this job this past summer, I couldnt agree more with Alan's posts. I got a little scared at a couple of times that I had overtrimmed, but fortunately it was all concealable by the center carpet, and the package tray lid.
Definitely start from the back to front, and work in an area with consistent lighting....when you are working in the back area, its like a cave...if you pick your head up and have sunlight in your face, readjusting to the cave lighting is a b#tch.
Also, have patience with the holes for the t-top retention pieces in the back, and all seatbelt related areas [especially if you have covers over the underseat retractors]
Please also consider some sort of heat reflective carpet underlayment...you will thank yourself this summer
Definitely start from the back to front, and work in an area with consistent lighting....when you are working in the back area, its like a cave...if you pick your head up and have sunlight in your face, readjusting to the cave lighting is a b#tch.
Also, have patience with the holes for the t-top retention pieces in the back, and all seatbelt related areas [especially if you have covers over the underseat retractors]
Please also consider some sort of heat reflective carpet underlayment...you will thank yourself this summer
Last edited by Big Block Dave; Jan 28, 2012 at 10:31 AM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 2,486
Likes: 71
From: Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin
And you can buy the rear wheel houses separate (at least the ones Willcox sells) after you screw them up, no reason to ask me how I know!
Last edited by RobRace10; Jan 28, 2012 at 10:31 PM.
Safety Car
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 3,814
Likes: 105
From: Dearborn Heights Michigan
All the tips did not work.
Took a 1/4" Electric Drill Motor (no drill) chuck closed, started the rubber fastener in the hole, put the chuck against the button head and cycled the motor.
Success!!!
Safety Car
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 3,814
Likes: 105
From: Dearborn Heights Michigan
Update on my carpet install. Used old rears over the Dynamat.
New fronts are in. They were way too wide and had to trim to fit, little at a time. (Ecklers).
Locating spots for seat belt bolts and seat attach a hassle. Learned to cut holes on pass side before final fitting which I did not do on drivers side.
Plan to put in the Corbeau drivers seat tomorrow.
New fronts are in. They were way too wide and had to trim to fit, little at a time. (Ecklers).
Locating spots for seat belt bolts and seat attach a hassle. Learned to cut holes on pass side before final fitting which I did not do on drivers side.
Plan to put in the Corbeau drivers seat tomorrow.
