Carpet on the cheap

[pato2002]

If you want professional looking carpet, go with Esty. If you are more function over form, this is a very cheap alternative.

 

I used a roll of plotter paper (36" wide but you could probably use the brown roll from Lowes/ HD). I did not have my old carpet so I had to make patterns by hand. It is much easier if you can just copy your existing set. I rough cut the paper oversize then placed it in the car and trimmed to get it to lay mostly flat. If you can get paper to lay flat, carpet is easy!

Once the paper templates were done, I laid them on a roll of office carpet I bought at Lowes (https://www.lowes.com/pd/Select-Elements-Home-Office-Crestline-12-ft-Needlebond-Interior-Exterior-Carpet/1000411979), and put out the pieces. Cut a little large as it is easier to cut a bit more off than add a bit more on :).

Last, some spray glue (I do not remember if I used 3M #90 or Permatex Headline). Go in 2 foot sections/ lengths as you will need to move it a bit. Once all pieces are in, do a bit of trimming at the edges and you are done.

Edited October 12, 2019 by pato2002
glue update

[jaredmac11]

Once the seat rails are plugged in, you cant see a seam.  Looks great.

[76dailydriver]

neat, tight and cheap... good work!

[NYNick]

I'm guessing you left the sound deadening in place? I little MLV and some insulation would puff that up a little.

Nice work!

[esty]

hey...you'll run me out of business....

 

 

seriously...that's great for budget minded people...looks very nice...good job

 

 

 

[iinca]

yeah office carpet . nice job. what was the total cost?

 

! now where does the fax machine go?

[pato2002]

Some quick/ rough answers:

 

1. I had to remove most of the tar-like sound deadening to repair rust in the floorboards. I replaced it with "Peel & Seal" roofing material. I will probably go back and add some more thermal (if not sound) insulation at the firewall and forward tunnel. With Coco mats on top of the carpet, it is pretty good currently.

2. Cost was Carpet ($50), Peel & Seal ($20) and Spray Glue ($10). Total $80-100 depending on additional insulation or other stuff.

3. You could easily fit the fax machine in the back seat area but powering it will require a bigger alternator and an inverter not too mention the really long phone cord...