I am installing new carpet and underlayment in my '68 GS and have never done this before. I have done a search here and found several threads with good info. But I still have a couple of questions. I bought the underlayment from Year One. It is a thick material with what appears to be a paper backing. Does the paper go up or down? And does this stuff get glued down? As for the carpet, I have test fit and trimmed the rear piece and fit it under the sill plates as I have read to do. But this causes the plate to be quite high off the sill. Is this correct? Is the carpet really supposed to go under the plate? And if so, is there some trick to getting the plate to sit down flatter (closer to the sill)?
You might call Year One on the paper question, are you sure this isn't peel-off paper to a sticky side? As far as the sill plates go, less underneath is better. I would let the carpet settle in for awhile then go back and trim off all the carpet under the sill except for a 1/2". Just catch the edge of the carpet under the inboard edge of the sill. That worked for me and it makes the sill tilt outboard slightly which is good.
I did call Year One yesterday, but their tech line is closed on the weekend. Makes sense. Who works on their cars on the weekend! I did peel the paper off on a scrap piece and there didn't seem to be any adhesive underneath that I could detect. Then I thought maybe the paper was an adhesive that is activated by some sort of agent. I tried water, but nothing. That is when I called Y1. Thanks for the tip. I have it cut right now to the middle of the sill, just to the screws. I will do as you suggest and trim it again later. Maybe there is a way to flatten the pile that is under the plate?
Do you have just carpet under the sill plate? You don't want any padding or jute or other material under there. The carpet will compress more after a while. Let it sit for a few...weeks...months! lol Where did you get the carpet? Is it OEM thickness? - Bill
I got it from Year One, but it appears to be made by Auto Custom Carpet. I don't know if it is the proper pile. I assume it is. And yes, all that is under the plate is carpet, no jute or deadener.
Depending on what Y1 says, you should glue the carpet down only in a few spots to keep it from shifting, remember you may want to change it out sometime down the road, so don't go nuts with it. As far as glue goes I've always used 3M spray on glue, that's what most of the upholsters use in bulk form, you can get it at most auto stores.
TS-GS, I know this is off subject, but I noticed in your avitar your car has trim rings. What plant was your GS built at? I am just curious because that style wheel was '68 only (Chrome center w/trim ring) and I have only seen them on non-flint built convertible cars. Could you add your first name to your posts? It helps to know who you are talking to.. :TU: :beer
The car was built in Kansas and delivered to Denver. I was told there was a shortage of Ralleye wheels at the time so these wheels with trim rings were used. Don't know if that is true history or not. Just what I was told. You have good eyes to pick up on that. Tom
I was told the same thing about the shortage of full chrome wheels. My GS came from the Willmington plant but like I said, I have not seen a Flint built '68 with this type of wheel. What is the build date of your car from the cowl tag? Should be a 3 digit code like 01D or 12C. :beer
