RS Carpet install difficulty?

[marksearls]

I got caught in an amazing rain storm and was very amazed at how well my car hadled it with R 888's. My window seals and other seals didn't do as well. Upon inspection in the morning, My carpets were soaked through and there was a puddle in each of the rear seats.

So how difficult is the RS carpet install? I remember reading that it should be left to professionals...is this true and is one brand better?

Thanks, Mark

[Dave 86 930 Fl]

I did it a few years ago, simple to do and new carpet makes the car look new again. Go for it.

[nineball]

it's not rocket science but you won't get it done in an hour either. it took me the better part of two weekends working about 4 hours a day. this may help.

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

[Christien]

I redid my interior a few months ago - new rs carpet, rs door panels and seats from a 944, including fabricatin adapters. Hands down the hardest part was the seat adapters.

The carpet was pretty straightforward. It's labour intensive, but generally not that bad. You're generally in a comfortable position, you can see what you're doing and it's fairly obvious what to do next. It's probably obvious, but remove the seats.

Follow the instructions that come with the kit. It's a logical order, but also starts with easy pieces that are hidden, so you can hide mistakes, and don't make them on the more exposed areas.

One tip I learned a good ways in is to spray the adhesive then let it sit for about 60 seconds to get tacky. After that, once you stick the carpet down and apply pressure, it won't move. This makes stretching it to fit into place much easier.

The results are WELL worth the effort. Take your time, have a beer (or several) and it'll be a breeze.

[Ryan H]

I found an upholstery guy on Craigslist and paid him $85 to do it. Money well spent. He did a fantastic job. This is something I could easily handle myself, didn't want to deal with it.

[marksearls]

Thanks for the input and the link. Looks like I know what I will be doing the next couple of weekends.

[will hung]

Originally Posted by Christien

...One tip I learned a good ways in is to spray the adhesive then let it sit for about 60 seconds to get tacky. After that, once you stick the carpet down and apply pressure, it won't move. This makes stretching it to fit into place much easier...

This is a very good tip. I have an APPBIZ carpet. It looks fantastic, but it needed to be stretched in a few places to get complete coverage.

The only other tip I have is to throw the first piece in the dryer for a few minutes before applying it. Find the next piece, swap it in the dryer for the first piece, and continue to do so until you are finished applying. When the carpet piece is good and warm, it stretches really easy.

Have fun. It's very much worth it when you see the final results.

[Esel Mann]

Thanks for this timely post!

I was just getting around to trying figuring out if the RS carpet installation was/is something I can handle. Sounds like it is doable by the shade tree DIYer.

Some questions:

- What specific spray glue should one use?

- How heavy does one spray it on?

- For the rear are, there are a couple of places where nut tabs stick out (they are welded on). Are these to be ground off before installation?

- Can I get the carpet sets in something say like a tanish color?

- For the kits, are the front floor mats carpet or are they rubber like what RS's came with (PP sells a front rubber pair which looks pretty cool)?

- If the the front floor mats in the kit are carpet is is possible to order without to help compensate for the cost of front RS rubber floor mats?

[Tinker]

I installed the APPBIZ RS carpet kit this spring. As others have stated, it is fairly straight forward but I employed the help of my wife who has much more patience.

If you can find a guy like Ryan did and get it installed for $100 you will be way ahead. We did mine over the course of a few weekends and all together it took probably 15 hours with cleaning, preping, and some sound pad installation in the rear. I used the 3M spray adhesive from Home Depot and it worked fine.

Best tool I used was a mallet to contour the carpet around the curves. Get the end glued / set where you want it, pull the other end with one hand while beating / stretching the carpet with the mallet. Sounds strange, but the install when much quicker after I started doing this.

Best of luck.

Tinker

[nineball]

Originally Posted by Esel Mann

- What specific spray glue should one use?

i used, with great success, 3m foam fast 74, 3 cans total. 3 years later and not a single piece has moved.

- How heavy does one spray it on?

one good coat on each part (rear of carpet piece, floor), let it tack up for a minute or two before installing.

- For the rear are, there are a couple of places where nut tabs stick out (they are welded on). Are these to be ground off before installation?

nothing should be removed. have some razor blades on hand and use them to cut an "X" if something needs to go through the carpet, like seat belt bolt holes.

- Can I get the carpet sets in something say like a tanish color?

domestic and sliverknit come in a range of color, the RS only comes in charcoal.

- For the kits, are the front floor mats carpet or are they rubber like what RS's came with (PP sells a front rubber pair which looks pretty cool)?

not sure as i did not use an RS kit but pics of them installed, which are all over this board, should tell you. my carpet came with rubber sections where your heels sit while driving.

- If the the front floor mats in the kit are carpet is is possible to order without to help compensate for the cost of front RS rubber floor mats?

again, i never used an RS kit but i doubt it. imo you should get a set of mats if for nothing else other than to prolong the life of the carpet set.

see above.

[jmcn3rd]

I did this once, RS carpet kit from appbiz. Wasn't too hard, used some 3M spray glue in some spots and some 3M seal glue as well. It was a tremendous improvement from where I was with my old interior but FWIW, I am going to one day have an interior guy redo it for me as this dude's work is just so much better than mine and hopefully that will be the last time it is done in my ownership.

[Christien]

The appbiz rs kit comes with carpeting front floor mats, not rubber. But there's no carpet underneath the front floor mat, so you could glue that down then buy a separate rubber mat to put on top, if that's what you want.

[Esel Mann]

Thanks for all that feedback!

One more question:

Is there a way to install the carpet set such that it can be easily removed and then reinstalled?

Why: Body paint on my '84 is getting old and not so grand prix white anymore. It's also starting to flake off in the rain gutters. So at some point down the road I think I am going to break it all down to do an full repaint. The carpet sets aren't cheap and if one could install it in such a way as to permit it to be removed down the road and then permanently installed when the car is put back together it would save some $$$.

[Christien]

I would think that would be a bad idea. I'm fairly certain you'd either have a) the carpet always sliding and moving a round and generally just looking like crap or b) destroy the carpet taking it out.

The kit's only $250 or so, IIRC. Repainting your car is several thousand. Why not just redo the carpet when you get around to painting it? Though you don't necessarily have to remove the carpet to paint, either.

[NoLift911]

Appbiz will make the RS kit in any color you want. I had my RS kit done in grey-beige sliverknit, you just need to call Bob and ask.

[will hung]

I almost forgot. When I installed mine, I put zip-lock freezer bags over my hands and used them to smooth the carpet out while I was applying it. I would put the bag over 1 hand, set and stretch the carpet with the free hand while smoothing with my "bagged" hand. Then, once it was set, I would do a final smooth with both hands "bagged." Using this technique, I got all the wrinkles out that you'll see around the edges.

[Esel Mann]

Adhesive and crap remover:

I found some stuff at my local Ace HW store which is doing a fantastic job of removing any remaining areas of that felt stuff and adhesive. No fumes which is nice. One needs to be patient with it. That is to say for areas of simply adhesive, goop it on and wait say an hour tops. Then remove using a plastic putty knife. For areas of adhesive with felt that felt stuff, goop it on good and let it sit overnight. Next day it all comes off.

With the adhesive and felt stuff, I've got some questions about the metal interior. I'll post that later with pics when I get a chance.

Here is a pick of the stuff. It was $18 and no need for a respirator!

[Joe Bob]

There was another thread on RS carpet kits and a discussion on the driver's side carpet.

It will wear out FAST if a daily driver or used at the track a lot. I have the Appbiz kit.

I went with a Coco Mat.....so unless you don't mind replacing it on a regular basis or drive with really soft soled shoes.....it's going to cost you.

[rattlsnak]

Just get the rennline track mats...

[tobluforu]

The only tip I have is to have the longest/biggest socket ready to go. You will use this to press the carpet into place as it slides perfectly over the carpet and allows you mold the carpet into the nooks and crannies. It also does not chew the carpet up when installing. Pre-fit and go slow, have a razor blade ready and some contact cement that uses a brush. Are you adding some sound deadening, if so aircraft spuce sells it. I bought two different sizes from them and built up the rear shelf in places. This really wasn't for sound; it was because the rs carpet is super thin and will show some all the contours, divots etc. The foam is laid down before and hides all these imperfections, well worth it.