started one of my winter projects

[Dave L.]

I'm going to replace all the carpet and insulate the floor in my '81 this winter among some other things. I know this isn't exactly rocket science but I want to take my time and do it right! I've pulled out all the rugs and the floor panels are in great condition. Just some surface rust on the drivers side where you'd probably expect to find some under the drivers feet area (see pictures). I'm going to treat the area with Permatex rust treatment and then paint with Rustoleum or similar coating. The carpet kit I have chosen comes from Mid-America. It has the padding and reflectix heat material attached to it. I'm also going to purchase from Home Depot additional reflectix to glue to the floor. How am I doing so far? I'd like any advice on how to remove the carpet from the back of the seats and side console panels. I'm going to purchase new rear console doors with carpet since mine are a little beat up. At least I won't have to worry about removing the carpet from those doors! Also,I'd like to repaint the seat shells. Has anyone advice/expirience on this? Do I need to sand,primer or can I just clean and paint? One last question is what paint should I use? Is the Mid-America dye/paint good stuff?
Thanks in advance for your help

 

[bill81vette]

as far as the side consoles,I believe they are glued on to a piece on board which is screwed on each side.you may just want to get new boards for the side console to glue them to the new carpets and be done with that part.

I'm sure someone will be here shortly to help you...

bill

 

[Bob Chadwick]

Dave,

Use POR15 on the floorboards. You won't regret it.

 

[Dave L.]

Thanks Bill..good idea.I could probably use some sort of thin wafer board and use the old ones as a pattern? Bob..I like the way your floor turned out. Should I paint over the Por 15 and if so what should I use? I was hoping you'd see this thread.

 

[BruceBed]

I used the interior vinyl dye spray from Mid America. It was excellent. It has help up really well. It makes the shells look brand new. I just cleaned off the back with a thinner (let dry ) and sprayed away. It hides all the minor scratches. I painted them on the top of my trash cans .

 

[Bob Chadwick]

No need to paint over the POR15. It gets chalky if exposed to UV rays. If not exposed to the sun, no need to paint over it.

 

[Yoda]

Dave,

Here is a link to when I did Phase II on Rare

I'm going to replace all the carpet and insulate the floor in my '81 this winter among some other things. ..... ..

I'm going to treat the area with Permatex rust treatment and then paint with Rustoleum or similar coating.

The carpet kit I have chosen comes from Mid-America. It has the padding and reflectix heat material attached to it.

I'm also going to purchase from Home Depot additional reflectix to glue to the floor.

How am I doing so far?

I'd like any advice on how to remove the carpet from the back of the seats and side console panels.

I'm going to purchase new rear console doors with carpet since mine are a little beat up. At least I won't have to worry about removing the carpet from those doors!

Also,I'd like to repaint the seat shells. Has anyone advice/experience on this? Do I need to sand,primer or can I just clean and paint?

One last question is what paint should I use? Is the Mid-America dye/paint good stuff?
Thanks in advance for your help

Sounds like you have everything under control

I used the old side panels for a pattern and used 1/8" pressboard then glued the new carpet to it. You can leave the carpet a bit long on the front, rear and bottom of the new panel for a more blended look with the floor carpet.

I use 3M spray glue on the reflective and the carpet panels. First fit everything then fold back and glue as you go smoothing out the carpets to fit snug.

The rear compartments ... the new ones come with press wood (particle board) inserts already carpeted. They also come with screws holding the panels in place. I removed the new wood panels and used my old panels in the new frame.. the old ones are plastic/glass?? with the original stickers... also used the new carpet from the carpet set..

I used two putty knife's to remove the rear carpets from the seats.. then cleaned it up, taped off the carpet insert area then painted the frame with vinyl spray from True Value then when I set the carpets in the insert, I used 3M spray glue and 50lb bags if water softener salt to compress and keep the corners from rolling up.. even with that I had to go back and use Gurella (sp) glue for the corners ... using the salt bag treatment again

I used 2 layers of reflectix in most area's but ended up removing it from under the seat as the seat dragged on the carpets

I also used JB Weld and aluminum strips to the screw points on the side panels, then placed the new panels in place marked the brackets and drilled them so I got a fantastic fit.

Leave carpets a little long or big, and trim last, once you cut the carpet, it's too late if it ends up short or too small

This is a great project, the finished product makes a world of difference..

Bud

 

[Dave L.]

Thanks Bud. Excellant advice.

 

[Bob Chadwick]

I'm sure it's just a matter of preference but I did not glue the carpet down. The original was not glued and the contours and seats seemed to hold it in place very well.

 

[mikejpss]

My friend picked up a quart of dye and a quart of primer to do the seat plastic parts. Total cost was around $55 . Had enough to redye all the seat parts, rear compartment, kick panels too. He did the shooting of the primer and dye once I had it all prepped. Came out like a factory job.
Carpet: The first kit I ordered came with the passenger side (front) section cut too small. The door threshold section was too short.This nearly blew my mind as it was the very first piece I tried to install. Like an inexperienced idiot, I proceeded installing the remaining pieces before I got in touch with the supplier, who wanted the entire kit returned, so beware as you go.
Like someone else mentioned, I used 3M spray and it worked well.
For the center console sides, I too used the old boards as a pattern and cut new pressboards. The new ones fit really well, like from the factory.
Once I had the new seat cushion foam and covers installed, she looks like a day-one car. This was a very rewarding part of the overall restore project. You will have fun with this part.