Bugeye carpet installation tips?

[ichthos]

Thanks to all of you, I am making slow but steady progress with my restoration. The rain has not allowed me to do some of the work I would like to do yet, but I am still hoping to drive this summer.

I need some help on the carpet installation. Do any of you have any tips on carpet installation? For instance, what type of glue do you use? Is the tunnel section put in with the snaps, or is it more practical to glue it in place? I know it could not be totally glued as there has to be access to the rubber plugs for the transmission. Is the carptet installed first and then the handbrake bolted in over the top of the carpet, or do you have to cut this area out? Is the carpet normally installed before the panels are put in? I do not have any padding - does this car normally have any padding installed behind the carpet, and if so, where is it placed? Any thoughts or tips would greatly be appreciated.

Kevin

 

[jlaird]

3M glue just for carpet and interior stuff.

No padding, it just holds water and causes rust.

Tunnel section just sort of lays there, no snaps or glue needed.

 

[George Zeck]

I second what Jack said.

As for the brake handle - depends on your kit. If it is a 'formal' kit; it will have the holes or passages from the start. If your using rolled carpet - I'd cut a hole and work it through.

For the back wheel wells -- lots of small cuts to slowly form fit the area. Do lots of dry fitting until your really comfortable with the fit. Mine didn't turn out perfect becasue I was in a hurry.

IF it won't break the bank - I'd put a sound dampener in (underneath the carpeting). Not so much for road noice, but to keep a barrier from heat. I wish I had done this. At the time, my thinking was why do I care about the noice on the bottom off the car when I have no roof or windows / roof. It's a heat thing.

George

 

[Whitephrog]

Kevin

From your various posts I would say that your progress is anything but slow.

As for the carpet. If you don't intend to use a pad then I would use snaps for the footwell pieces and the pieces under the seat. If you don't want to use the snaps then try heavy duty velcro. There are four small pieces that cover the floor bracing which will need to be glued. I used hardura behind the seats and in the boot area. The hardura wheelwell pieces are glued. The large piece behind the seat uses snaps and the large piece in the boot simply lays in place.

 

[bthompson]

+1 on the snaps or velcro. I'd use as little glue as you can and get away with it--my carpet is completely snapped in, no glue at all. When it rains buckets all night long, and only when you awaken do you remember you forgot to put the top up before you went to bed, you will appreciate being able to pull every scrap of carpet out to dry in the sun as you towel out your floorpan.

Go ahead, ask me how I know. :wink: