I finally got my new interior carpet and was wondering what the best adhesive / method is to install the carpet to the dash pieces and to the console sides?

Thanks
Richard

 

I'm also getting ready to do the carpet. 3M sells a spray adhesive that looks o.k. When I took the door carpet off, it looked like it was glued on with a giant glue gun. I dont know which is best.

 

I used the 3M spray adhesive in my '79 and it worked great. Get good ventilation, thought, 'cause that stuff will set you free!

 

do it outside if you can.....that stuff will smell up the house or garage for hours

 

Hi I installed my new carpeting about 2 years ago. I used the 3M spray adhesive. It worked for most things, but the knee panels have never held correctly, theyalways sag when it gets really hot. Later I spoke to Jeff at superior chevrolet and he said they use 3M Weatherstip Adhesive. I have used it on the knee panels since and its held much better, though if I had used that at the beginning Im sure they never would have sagged.

BTW, this is a FULL two day job and be prepared to have a lot of missing screws and cracked plastic in places you never expected

 

The spray cans of 3M Adhesive works the best for the overall areas and a hot glue gun will help get the corners down tight.

Lay out the floor carpeting in the sun to soften it so it will easily form into the corners of the body pan. Use some heat shield on the floor and the tranny tunnel too. It will help to keep the temps down and provide some sound insulation.

 

Been there done that. This is a good project for a novice. You really get to know the inside of your corvette on this job. But when it's done the improvement is dramatic, especially if the carpet was neglected. Take your time, do one piece at a time and get it perfect. Then step back and smile.

 

Where do I get the 3M adhesive?

Thanks
Richard

 

First try - replaced the passenger knee panel in place. Pulled old carpet off, used 3M spray adhesive to put new carpet on. looked great. Next day was rather hot. Carpet fell off.

2nd try - I removed the knee panel. I documented the whole process with pictures - see http://corvetteforum.net/c4/gh86e/ and click on the links on the left. I used a stronger 3M adhesive ('fast tack trim adhesive') I found at Pep Boys. It is much stronger than the spray adhesive. The carpet I was trying to glue on is also much heavier the original (a heavier carpet, and with mass backing, not the thin backing that was original). The original carpet also was stapled along one edge. I put on a latex glove, and smeared heavy amounts of the fast tack trim adhesive on both parts, let them dry, then placed the carpet on the knee panel. I used a hand stapler to try and get some staples in the edge, like the original. I reassembled the whole thing. This lasted about 2 years, then recently fell off.

3rd try - I'm in the middle of this one. I removed the knee panel again. This time, I bought an air-stapler that was on sale at Harbor Freight for $25. I'm going to a body shop supply store and ask for a stronger adhesive, and will use the air staper to put in 3/4-or-so" staples, like the original had, and will bend them over on the other side. I may also put some spots of epoxy, just to make sure. I'm tired of taking this interior apart and putting it back together.

Gregg

 

Most real auto parts stores will carry the 3M adhesive.

 

I saw it at Lowes & Home Depot.

http://www.lowes.com/lkn?action=prod...2-000000098-90

 

Note that other than the three parts that require the adhesive, the entire job can be done in about 30 minutes. Each piece overlaps each other and is held in by the trim panels(no glue) The console pieces are held in by screws.

 

I bought the 3M spray adhesive at Home Depot (Lowes has it also). I used the 90 strength and it seems to work pretty well. Good Luck!

 

The weatherstrip adhesive if you want to use it on the knee panels is available at any auto parts store. They have it in black and a clear/gold color. Obviously you would want the clear.