Carpet installation fit questions

[tdskip]

OK guys - big week this week. Time to get the interior on the road to being ready to drive the '74 TR6.

I've look at a number of your sites that cover this, including your excellent post on this Paul.

My carpet set did not come with pre-cut backing, so I'm looking for coaching on how to approach this.

This is what I'll be using for backing. It has a reflective heat material that goes shiny side down.

My questions;

1) Do I cut this to match the pattern of the carpet?

2) Should this be glued down?

Thanks!

 

[Brosky]

TD,

Cut it slightly smaller than the carpet shape.

DO NOT glue it to the floor. Glue the carpeting to the mat only.

JMHO....

 

[Mickey Richaud]

TD,

Cut it slightly smaller than the carpet shape.

DO NOT glue it to the floor. Glue the carpeting to the mat only.

JMHO....

Yep - don't glue ANYTHING to the floor. It can be held down by the seat runners. That way, it can be removed for cleaning, and won't hold moisture.

 

[jjbunn]

I found the placement of the underlay on the transmission tunnel cover to be ticklish, so that the console support H can be fitted afterwards. It's a tight fit, and the extra thickness of the underlay in the wrong place can make it a real b***er to get in.

 

[tdskip]

Thanks guys - appreciate the info.

Julian - how thick was the backing you used?

 

[jjbunn]

It looked just like the backing in your photo (all mys tuff was from Moss). I'd be especially concerned if there was also a layer of foil insulation as well, depending on how thick it is.

Just my 2c ... it may be a non-issue in your car, depending on how the H piece fits.

 

[DougF]

Larry Learn, who did the much of the interior work for TRF before The Magic Carpet Factory, told me to cut underlayment 3/4" inside the carpet edge to allow the carpet to lay down properly.

 

[Tinster]

Thanks guys - appreciate the info.

Julian - how thick was the backing you used?

<span style="color: #000099">TDSkip- you have exactly the heat shield I used
when I replaced the interior of my 1969 TR6.

Yes, everyone is correct about cutting the heat shield about 3/4"
smaller than the carpet piece. Also, cut out for the seat rail
runners-don't install on top of carpet.

All the carpet snaps were long gone when I install my carpet so
I had to improvise.

Agreed- don't glue the heat shield to the metal floor surfaces.

Once the heat shield is cut - dry fit all the pieces into the car
and make minor
adjustments as needed.

I used yellow bonding adhesive to stick the heat shield to
the carpet backs.

I then got a bunch of 2 inch width, self adhesive Velcrow
and laid down strips onto the floor, foot wells, etc.
Press the shiny aluminum surface onto the velcow and it sticks
real good and is easy to remove the carpet when needed.

It is fairly important you install the 2 each door sill pieces
first. No underlayment here.

My car is ever so much less hot and noisy as a result
of the heat shield.</span>

 

[Brosky]

Dale, good idea about that Velcro!!

 

[kodanja]

I tried using velcro,
the problem I had with it was the sticky side always comes loose.

 

[tdskip]

I tried using velcro,
the problem I had with it was the sticky side always comes loose.

How did you end up securing the backing?

 

[Tinster]

I tried using velcro,
the problem I had with it was the sticky side always comes loose.

<span style="color: #000099">Maybe the wider widths help. I pushed the
velcrow firmly against the painted metal and then pressed the
carpet pieces onto the 2nd sticky velcrow. I also laid
down a strip of yellow bonding adhesive on the foil and
sticky velcrow.

I don't yank the carpet out; I kinda peel out.

d</span>

 

[Halkett]

Hi,
(This is my very first post – just finished restoring my car with all of your help – thank you).
My experience:
Get two pairs of sharp sizes, one for long straight cuts and one for curves or tight inside radius cuts. I did not glue or tape down, nor did I use the ¾” relief that has been mentioned (although this is probably a good idea). I covered pretty much everything inside the cockpit and had considered attaching it to the back side of the rear panel at the fuel tank but elected not to in case of fuel spill / absorption and possible eventual board warping.

I found the snaps to be very difficult to align with the veltex carpet ring things and eventually decided against using them at this point as the carpet tended to have wrinkles or not be in the exact perfect spot….

Julian has made a important point ref the center dash support feet – cut a relief in the under pad here..the center support will go in easier / bolt’s are easy to locate and fit… and you will only have to install the center support once – reducing the possibility of damaging the support covering ( which is pretty brittle around the edges by this time…)

Can’t comment on the before or after results..never drove my car before I restored it – but it does seem nice and cozy.

(sorry ...havent figured how to add pictures yet...)

Stephen.

 

[tdskip]

Hi Stephen - welcome!

Thanks for the tips and experience. What did you use to secure the backing to the floor?

You can post pictures by uploading them to photobucket.com or similiar and the cutting and pasting the link they provide inbewteen the following code

.

The

closes the link out.

We'd love to see pictures.

 

[Halkett]

Hi TdSkip.

I have two photo's here:

(not shown is the center support cut outs at the bottom of the dash bracket - this realization came after the picture was taken...)

I used the seats to hold carpet and pad at the runners. On the back deck the carpet is tucked under the side and back panels and holds tight. I used small amounts of double sided tape on the contoured parts (gear box and prop shaft covers)..

The side (carpet) panel the DS foot well holds the carpet and pad at the front edge - just under the pedal box I have some double sided carpet tape....my carpet seems OK - nice and flat and covers every square inch of the interior - I have no exposed steel or under pad...and it has not moved in the 500miles since I have had the car on the road..
I did not want to use glue / and the veltex were giving me huge grief with proper locations. ( I got over my need for concourse appearance through self hypnosis, rationalization and the unusual appeal of a nice flat properly located carpet)..

Thanks for the help with photobucket...
Good luck on the install / take your time..
Stephen.