911SC: Old carpets off -> Old carpets on

[davelarue]

911SC. My original carpets are very dirty, and i'd like to take them off to wash/rinse them. These are glued on, right? So, will i damage them if i rip them off? What glue is recommended to put them back on?
Any ideas on how to effectively rinse them, are also welcome.
Thx.

[Dublinoh]

Thats a lot of work, have you priced a new set?

[Andy911sc]

I used a hand held car shampooer on my and after two cleanings they look new again. I didn't have to remove them. I have the cream color, so dirt shows up easily. I would try that first.

[Packet82]

If you're going through the trouble of ripping out the old carpet, just replace it with new carpet. It'll actually look decent once it's done. Carpet stretches and it won't look as nice when you rip out and reinstall the carpet afterwards.

Otherwise use one of the carpet cleaners with a handheld attachment.

[davelarue]

Ok guys. I'll give shampoor a go. If that doesn't work, i'll buy new.
Thx

[B61]

I was very please with the quality of '74-'83 - Lakewell.com.

Easy to install and fitted perfect !

[sc_rufctr]

If you want to keep your car completely original it's not a bad idea. The thing is getting the carpet off without wrecking it.
The glue is not particularly strong but the carpet and glue are old so go slow and use a heat gun with caution to soften the worst parts.

Ok... So it's out now. Now you have to clean up the old glue from the car and carpet. Then clean and reinstall. It's certainly doable but patience is your best friend.
3M sell some good glues for this job. Not sure which one but their web site would be a good place to start.

Incidentally a friend did the same thing with his headliner. I helped him.
It took ages to remove and clean but the end result was very good. It looks like it was never touched and factory fresh.

[Christien]

Sounds crazy but:

Hit it with carpet cleaner - lots. Let it soak in for a few minutes, then scrub the living crap out of it. Then (here's the crazy part) hit it with a power washer. Yes, while it's still in the car. Then wet vac it up, really well and thoroughly - press the vacuum nozzle down with some force to squeeze as much out of the carpet as possible. Leave the doors wide open for a day or 2 to let it dry out. Make sure you let it dry in a very dry climate, so all the water can evaporate. Use a dehumidifier if necessary.

You'd be surprised how little it sprays. Yes, it will get some degree of spray all over the dash and windshield, but it's nothing that's going to damage vinyl or plastic - it'll just wipe right off.

This is how detail shops and rental car companies detail their cars.

[chadloose]

Engine electronics under the seat don't seem compat with "hit it with a power washer".

[McLovin]

Originally Posted by Christien

Sounds crazy but:

etc.

This is how detail shops and rental car companies detail their cars.

Sure, gets it good and clean. Do it like this:

[Ramathorn]

omg

[Christien]

Ok, those guys on the benz are idiots, and yes, I forgot about the stuff under the seat (I'm used to my pre-DME car), so maybe waterproof that part. But if you get the end of the nozzle down within a couple inches of the floor, very little sprays all over the place. I've done this several times with no problem.

[sc_rufctr]

That would have to be the dumbest thing I've seen in a long time...

By the time you've soaked up the extra water and dried out that car it would have been quicker and easier to simply clean it by hand and vacuum.
Not to mention future problems with switches and electrics in that car.
It's hard enough power washing an engine bay without flooding/damaging something.

Originally Posted by McLovin

Sure, gets it good and clean. Do it like this:

[911lvr]

not to mention coating all the electronics down with water..umm no thanks.

[nineball]

Originally Posted by sc_rufctr

Ok... So it's out now. Now you have to clean up the old glue from the car and carpet. Then clean and reinstall. It's certainly doable but patience is your best friend.
3M sell some good glues for this job. Not sure which one but their web site would be a good place to start.

this stuff is available at home depot and does an amazing job at removing the old glue residue. plus it smells like a creamcicle!

[jager911]

I just finished repaint of my '74 and started on the interior. Removed the sound deadener with Harbor Freight electric multipurpose scraper tool, best $30 I spent, had 1 side done in an hour.

Anyway, need to remove the carpet glue, will try the HD Citristrip. Any tips on use? Does it need to stay on a while? Then, I assume scrape off the residue?

I'm using POR-15 when completed.

[Jerome74911S]

Originally Posted by jager911

I just finished repaint of my '74 and started on the interior. Removed the sound deadener with Harbor Freight electric multipurpose scraper tool, best $30 I spent, had 1 side done in an hour.

Anyway, need to remove the carpet glue, will try the HD Citristrip. Any tips on use? Does it need to stay on a while? Then, I assume scrape off the residue?

I'm using POR-15 when completed.

I pulled out the carpets from my '74, had them professionally cleaned, and glued them back in with 3M spray adhesive "74" (ironically). While the carpets were out I removed the sound deadening asphalt, sanded and repaired rust, coated with POR-15. Then I glued in foam-backed mass-loaded vinyl sound killer, and glued the carpet over that.

The results are fine. I experienced no stretching of the carpet and it fit back in nicely. To get the old carpet glue off I used 3M general purpose adhesive remover.

[nineball]

Originally Posted by jager911

I just finished repaint of my '74 and started on the interior. Removed the sound deadener with Harbor Freight electric multipurpose scraper tool, best $30 I spent, had 1 side done in an hour.

Anyway, need to remove the carpet glue, will try the HD Citristrip. Any tips on use? Does it need to stay on a while? Then, I assume scrape off the residue?

I'm using POR-15 when completed.

i left the citristrip on for about an hour but i should have left it on longer. it still worked great, but i had to go at the leftover jute with a plastic scraper and my shopvac hose right next to it to get it it all out. if memory serves you can leave it on well over 24 hours, and i would suggest at least overnight to make your job easier. on the smaller/thinner parts i could simply wipe it off clean with a rag after just an hour or two.

don't bother with por15 unless you have completely stripped all the paint off the metal. it needs to be in direct contact with metal or not only will it not do it's job but it will smear/run a lot and not give you a clean smooth surface. a friend of mine coated the entire interior of his 944 race car with it and the result were less than stunning due to the factory paint still being on the metal.

[Hydrocket]

Originally Posted by davelarue

911SC. My original carpets are very dirty, and i'd like to take them off to wash/rinse them. These are glued on, right? So, will i damage them if i rip them off? What glue is recommended to put them back on?
Any ideas on how to effectively rinse them, are also welcome.
Thx.

Take it to a quality detailing place. They will either use a steamer or a hot water extractor. With the proper cleaning solutions, it's almost miraculous at how good of a job they can do. And it doesn't cost much either. I'd try that before replacement.

[wholberg]

I have had great results cleaning the carpet in the car using the upholstery attachment on a Bissel Spotbot and the carpet soap that came with it. It cleans up my linen interior so it looks practically new.