How hard is it to install new carpet?

[deathpunk dan]

In removing the old carpet for inner rocker replacement, I messed it up a bit. So I was thinking of converting the interior to all black anyway. (Currently tan everything except black cloth recaros).

Was thinking of doing the following:
-74+ interior rear quarter pieces to hide the PEP retracting seatbelts
-black package shelf vinyl
-early black rear seats
-correct 69-73 door panels, just need the black waffled pattern door cards vs the tan ones I have now
-black perlon or similar lightweight carpet
-replace the old soundproofing stuff with dynamat.

Am I crazy or is this reasonably doable? I keep seeing things like 'leave carpet installation to the pros' etc

[mspirito]

If you have a carpet kit it is not too hard, a little time consuming but not difficult.
Really, just try and take pictures to help with orientation and positioning. there are threads available to help with this.

[sc_rufctr]

On a scale of one to ten it's a seven.

It's hard work more than skill... And you will make some mistakes but that's OK.

[Winter]

It's super easy. . . .

I don't think it's a 7 on a scale of 1-10 by any means, but then I didn't do the soundproof removal or dynamat.

Check out some of the threads on redoing interiors. A lot of good info available. People have really gone the distance (me, just did the door panels and the carpet, with used materials here. big improvement but I'm shamed by some of those threads!)

Post pics when you're done!

[Kidasters]

It's time consuming. Not hard, but time consuming. A bunch of screws - and trimming, and this, and that.

I spent all day last saturday doing stuff - rear p/s seat back, rear p/s seat belt. Front p/s seat belt. Rear side panels. Parcel shelf. And the shelf isn't fitting right - so it needs more work. And that doesn't count the hours I spend gluing down new carpet.

[Mitch Leland]

Dan,

I bought bulk matching material and had my local upholstery shop bind it and I installed it. A couple of thoughts:

1. Take a lot of pixs of the original installation and then number the pieces so you know the order they go back in.

2. I also left out the rear seat belts, and filled in the indents/recesses with a solid foam so the carpet laid smooth over the tunnel.

3. You don't have to glue the carpet solid to the sheet metal. In some cases if you do it will photograph the imperfections of the under laments through the carpet.

4. Don't be in a rush, lay it out first... measure twice, cut once...

[SorenDK]

I recently installed new carpets and its really not that difficult. There are some good threads in here. Besides that the best advice is to be very patient and make sure each piece of carpet is covering the next one ie. no "spots" in the carpet layout... Before you glue anything. Also use contact adhesive... And use some thinner to make the adhesive easier to apply to the carpets and car...

[mnewport]

I'm in the middle of a complete interior overhaul: headliner, carpets, seats, trim, etc. I don't think it's that hard, not so far anyway. It is pretty time consuming though. One thing I have noticed is how much trash and debris I've found under the carpets. Not to disrespect the PO, but it's obvious he was a bit of a slob. I've also found a ton of spare change under the mats. I gave up counting after $10.

Something that has helped me is that I pulled up the old carpet, and then tested myself by doing a dry re-install. The back seating area is the toughest part. This afternoon I'm working on installing the new carpet.

[equality72521]

It's a 7-8 on physical wear and tear on your body (if you're in your 40's like me) but only a 2-3 on figuring out how to put it in. It takes time a patience to get it right.

[nineball]

Originally Posted by equality72521

It's a 7-8 on physical wear and tear on your body (if you're in your 40's like me) but only a 2-3 on figuring out how to put it in. It takes time a patience to get it right.

x2

i did it all - old carpet out, factory asphalt sheets out, new vibration damper in, padding, new carpet, new seats, rear seat delete. to be perfectly honest the only thing that scared me the entire process was the small handful of relief cuts i had to make to the carpet kit. take your time, lay out several pieces before gluing the first one and you should be ok.

it seems like everyone else has done it, so why not me... (interior)