carpet install help needed
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 1,302
Likes: 2
From: colchester CT
carpet install help needed
I am putting in a new carpet set in my 96. How did you guys get the old carpet off the tunnel pieces, the sills, knee pads. I am thinking hair dryer or careful heat gun but it seems that every piece of plastic in these cars loves to break and I don't want to buy new sills or tunnels pieces. There is also a lip/molding that runs along the outer edge of the sills. does this pull of easily. I am sure a lot of guys have cracked it trying to get it off. so sick of brittle plastic in these cars. any advice out there?
Drifting
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 1,313
Likes: 5
From: Middle Tennessee
I just finished replacing the carpeting in a friend's '88 convertible. I cracked one of the sills during the removal and repaired it with......duct tape. You are on the right track with carefully applying heat from a hair dryer or heat gun. Get some 3M Adhesive Remover at the nearest auto parts store. That stuff is worth it's weight in gold! It the adhesive resists the application of heat, try lifting the edge of the carpet and spraying some of the 3M adhesive remover under the edge while lifting gently. When doing a carpet replacement job.....P-A-T-I-E-N-C-E is the key. If you try to rush through it, you will screw up the job and break expensive plastic trim. I took pictures of the old carpet before starting the removal process which came in handy when installing the new stuff. Had a few pieces that we couldn't remember how they were installed originally, so the pictures helped. Hope this helps and that your carpeting job turns out beautiful! 
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 1,302
Likes: 2
From: colchester CT
thanks, now if the carpet will just get here. I ordered it on 4/22 and still not here. Got it from wilcox so I am thinking maybe the tornados down there have slowed thing up a bit
Intermediate
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 41
Likes: 0
From: knoxville tn
Carpet removal
lift an edge of the carpet and use a strait edge razor blade to slice thru the glue , it takes a bit of time but will come off clean and instalation will be easier , DON'T SLICE OFF A FINGER IN THE PROCESS !
Intermediate
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 32
Likes: 1
From: Temperance MI
When i did my 91 last fall, i used an Exacto knife to cut thru the glue as i lifted the carpet away from the plastic. It takes a LOT OF time. don't rush it. As you pull it off, i found that i needed to roll the carpet on to its self - otherwise it would re-stick back to the plastic you just took it off of. Each door panel took a couple of hours and the tips of my fingers were really sore for a day or so. Good luck!!!!!
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 1,302
Likes: 2
From: colchester CT
Thanks guys, I am all set. I used a crapload of 3m adhesive remover and rolled the carpet over on itself so it would not just stick again. That glue is serious. I just heated it back up and stuck the new carpet right back on. worked perfect but we'll see if it stays on a hot day.
