Carpet Preference

[SpideySense]

In the process of tearing down and re-doing most of the interior of my newly acquired '78 Spider. I'd like to know what type of carpet I should go with. Cut Pile or Closed Loop. Looking at the "ACC" brand carpet kits sold @ "stockinteriors.com". Pros and cons and opinions appreciated.

Thanks,
Don

[Ragzz]

I decided to install nylon loop because it was the closest thing to the original. I ordered from Newark-Auto. It was fine.
This was the only time I've installed new carpet in a car.

[SteinOnkel]

That's the kit I got. The fitment is atrocious.

Get yourself a yard or two of some sort of vinyl in the same color as the carpet. You will need it to patch up spots where the bare metal shines through. I'd say all in all the carpet is about 10% smaller than the original.

I was installing it with my brother, who helped optimize various interor assembly lines throughout North America. He said that if the carpet comes out within 5% of spec, they call it a win and install it. And that's an OEM carpet, so I'm not surprised this aftermarket stuff is even worse.

Cheers
Steiny

[SpideySense]

That's the kit I got. The fitment is atrocious.

Get yourself a yard or two of some sort of vinyl in the same color as the carpet. You will need it to patch up spots where the bare metal shines through. I'd say all in all the carpet is about 10% smaller than the original.

I was installing it with my brother, who helped optimize various interor assembly lines throughout North America. He said that if the carpet comes out within 5% of spec, they call it a win and install it. And that's an OEM carpet, so I'm not surprised this aftermarket stuff is even worse.

Cheers
Steiny

Is the kit you are referring to the "ACC" one from stockinteriors.com or the one from Newark?

Thanks,
Don

[SteinOnkel]

I can't recall exactly. But I bet you it's all the same stuff that rolls off the same assembly line somewhere.

I've heard that there is a company on ebay Germany that actually hand makes these carpets and they are much, much better fitment. They are also twice the cost.

[manoa matt]

Home depot or Lowes sells a grey ribbed loop outdoor carpeting that is very very close to the original grey carpet and its only $0.50 per square foot. Comes on a 12 foot long role, so I had them roll out 6 feet, and there is enough left to do the trunk comes out to $36. I never liked the stock carpet or carpet kits as there was always gaps between adjacent pieces and you could see the body or the underlayment, plus the price. I also went to a carpet store and bought mineral wool underlayment for relatively cheap, was over 10 years ago, but it may have been $15 for the underlayment.

Covered the entire floor, fire wall, trans tunnel, etc. with the underlayment using contact cement or spray adhesive. Then used the stock carpet pieces to trace on the back of the carpet. Cut around 3 inches wider on all sides. As you install the pieces, you trim them so they overlap and fold and fit nicely. Very quiet, no gaps, and looks stock but better. No shipping and no waiting.

https://www.homedepot.com/p/TrafficMAST ... /203240740

[F16Waldo]

I bought the full carpet set ($289) from Auto Ricambi for my '83 (nylon loop). Pretty good fit except for the area behind the pedals on driver side which was about 1 inch too narrow..thus revealing part of the plastic sidewall flour mount. Really only see it while sitting in the car. I'd recommend them as another option.

[SpideySense]

After much feedback from several sources, I've decided to pass on the after market carpet kits. I've ordered some German Square Weave carpet and will use the existing OEM carpet as patterns. An upholsterer friend is doing the binding and heal pads for me.

Another question. The factory sound deadening material on the floor pan is dried, cracked and loose in a couple of areas, especially above the catalytic converter. the other 90% of it is in good, original condition. I was thinking of thoroughly cleaning the existing material and then spraying over it with a Rhino Liner/Flex Seal type product. Any thoughts/opinions/suggestions?

Thanks,
Don

[RRoller123]

Mine was completely clean, dry, and had not had coolant etc contaminating it. So I used truck bed liner spray, from a couple of rattle cans, and that was 10 years ago. That stuff dries as hard as a rock, takes vibration without cracking, and is impervious to just about everything. No way was I chipping all that gunkcukrus off, especially as there was nothing much wrong with it, and it was in generally pretty good condition. Just try to keep the triangular "emergency" drain holes open, in case you leave it with the top down and a thunderstorm roars through and drops an inch or two of water before you know it.

This pic was after the first coat, I put at least one more on, I think maybe two, just to use up the stuff. Two or Three cans I think, did the whole job, a very inexpensive solution overall.

[DieselSpider]

The best to me currently is bed liner and just a disposable rubber floor mat since I pulled out all the carpeting, cleaned it and stored it away in the garage. No extra padding, jute or foam rubber padding to soak up water and keep it wet.

Mine is not a concourse restoration but a daily driver and beach car so its set up to see regular duty and not as a showpiece.

[Cooter]

Just want to say "Thank You" for this thread. I know it's old, but it helped me make my decision for my 79.

Attaboy to yall