I’m getting ready to install the carpet in my 70 GS automatic with buckets and console. So many questions. What are some tips and tricks. What to do first, second and third. What to watch out for? does anything need to be installed before the carpet like seal belts or seat tracks. current state is cleaned out with some dynamat installed and wire harness in. Have carpet from Legendary. Thanks!
Hopefully, you kept your old carpet to use as a template for where the holes for seatbelt bolts, etc. will need to go. If not, after you've laid the carpet flat in the sun for a few hours, lay it in the car and spread it out as best you can. Using a screwdriver, locate the holes and punch the screwdriver through. Viola. http://www.v8buick.com/index.php?threads/factory-carpet-install.367804/
I centered the carpet to ensure I had the rear against the seat bottom. I also took the handle off the shifter. When everything was where I wanted it I started cutting a hole around the shifter base gradually increasing the size until it fit . You can use a screw drive to poke your seats and seatbelt holes however, I put the screws in and cut an “X” over the head then cut the little points. I had to remove some of the jute backing from around my bolt holes. I think looked great . I left my carpet under a heater overnight in the shop to ensure all the molded section popped out and lay down easily Good luck Jaye
Lay the carpet out of the box a few days to relax it. Get the garage/car warm. Starting in the center of the trans hump work the carpet from the center out to the rockers. I use a sharp awl or ice pick to find the seat / seatbelt holes. Then install generic bolts with large fender washers to fit carpet to floor. A board member suggested to me to use some spray adhesive over the tunnel and that helped. Cut the edges tomorrow, LOL!
Cut big then trim to fit.. Keep your fingers out from under where your cutting with a razor blade. Have Band-Aids close by. Thats all I know except its much harder to put the carpet back together after ya cut it to small.
Cool, thanks! Guessing nothing really needs to be installed prior to the carpet other than sound deadener and jute....And that I should at least put bolts in the holes so that I can find them easier to mount the seat and seat belts. From what I can see, the back seat belt holes aren't covered by the carpet so they should be ok...Old carpet is long gone (removed by body shop) so I have no idea what to look for but it looks like it should line up easily. Guess the biggest hole I have to cut is for the shifter and how much to cut out for the center console to mount.
That was also the most time consuming part for me . Cut a little align console mark with chalk cut som more check console , repeat once it’s cut can’t put it back ( to make it unnoticeable)
I use a big pointed punch and heat it up with a torch to make the holes for the seat belt bolts and seat bolt holes. I just use an awl to find the holes first.
x2. Same process here once the carpet is where it's going to stay. I use an awl to locate holes then a beater soldering iron to enlarge the holes appropriately. Probably doesn't need to be said, but if you use either heat method, hold your breath first! Devon
I like that idea of the hot punch or iron. If anyone has ever tried to drill through loop carpet would understand
It eliminates frays or runs in the carpet....also stops them from happening by melting the edges together. Similar to nylon rope when you cut it. Burn the edge to keep it from unraveling. Technically, for seat bolts, the carpet is supposed to be T-cut and flapped over the track. After several installs on carpet in the last couple seasons, I found that out the hard way when getting my jobs judged at MCACN
I saw that from other threads, but haven't been able to find any pictures yet explaining/showing what that looks like.
I found a hand held garment steamer to be very helpful with getting the carpet to relax. Great for headliner too. I also did the soldering iron trick for holes. I recommend chasing the bolt holes with a tap prior to putting in the carpet. I had to clean out a bit of paint from the threads.
A heat gun on low setting, blowing down on the topside, can gradually help relax the underside of the carpet to help it lay down flatter. Be patient. Don't get impatient.
So I just went to place the rear section (assumption this goes in first) and WOW, is it suppose to go bassically up to the front bolt holes for the front seats? And I thought it would go up under the back seat. Does this look correct? and how far up (towards the front) should it go? Thanks, Nick
Best trick I learned was to take a socket on an extension, heat it with a propane torch and make your bolt holes. It makes a perfect circle whatever size you want, and burns the ends so it doesn’t fray. No cussing and cross threading bolts.
