Hi everyone, I am planning on laying carpet in my 1952 Buick and had a few questions before I start. I have been to home depot and found some good options but there are a few different types of carpets. What type of carpet backing is recommended? Ive seen the rubber back and also the typical backing found in home carpets. Any tips on forming the carpet?
Wool is the best quality carpet-longest wearing and best color retention. There are some good synthetics, but remember your car will be subjected to temperature extremes, water,dirt and sunlight (UV) that no home carpet ever will. Skip THE Home Depot and buy quality automotive carpet from a reputable carpet source. Try yourautotrim.com or Gary's at http://www.garysupholstery.com/products.html Both quality places-and get a good upholstery book. And, don't forget a good underlayment,too.
I may have some help for ya on post#54 of my sew tech; http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=604077
Avoid any "residential" or "commercial" type carpets (like you find at Home Depot) as it is manufactured to be installed on FLAT surfaces. It has a "secondary" backing attached to it for dimensional stability, and is simply not suitable to be used for vehicle trim. Automotive carpet does not have that "secondary" backing and is much more pliable, and will make your life much easier. Trust me ... 40 plus years in the trade.
I found a local auto upholstery material shop. I'm going to make a trip out there to get the correct material. Thanks!
Out of curiosity, What would be the reason to stay away from rubber back? Thanks Im a designer in multiple fields, and the newest one is my classic car. 1952 Buick creativepile.com
It doesn't follow contours as well as a non rubber backed so unless your floor is perfectly flat it will be a pain to get it to follow the ups and downs of your floor.
Check out this neat idea for doing the edge binding of carpets if you need to do so. http://www.bondproducts.com/instabind/
Ever leave a rubber mat in the trunk of your can for a long period of time?, only to be surprized to see rust forming and leaving behind it's mark.
http://www.stockinteriors.com. They have carpet for your Buick...$159.95...can't even mess with Home Depot stuff for that price...!!! R-
Thanks Gman0046 & 40StudeDude, I just checked ACC Mats and SockInteriors.com and non of them had 1952 buick flooring. I know of another place that sells them around $160 not including shipping. I just wanted to save some money because eventually I will be restoring the car the right way. Right now I'm trying to get it looking decent with a little amount of money.
Hmmmmm, that's strange...I just entered the (fictional) info below and came up with this...looks to me like they have carpet for your car. Only difference in what I posted is it's not $159.95...it's $175.00... 11093 Buick All Models (41-64) '41-'64 Cut and Sewn Carpet Color: 501-Black 80/20 Loop ($16.00) Doors: 2 Door Body: Hardtop Year: 1952 Trans: Auto Column Model: x Seats: Bench Seats R-
Hmm I have never had that happen to me before... I live in Arizona so its not as humid as most places. But I can see what you are talking about. If there is no ventilation between the metal and rubber, there can me condensation or water build-up. I will be making a trip to the auto upholstery shop sometime to see what they have to offer. Thanks!
Your Right!! how did I miss that!? I was looking through their menu system and it wasn't giving me anything before 1952. Im going to call to make sure it will fit in my car. Thanks
I don't know if this is the same as ACC mentioned above but, I just ordered carpet directly from the factory in Alabama(Auto Custom Carpets), that supplies many of the auto interior places they have most anything you want I got the 80/20 loop with the backing that can be heated and formed the phone number is 800-633-2358. Ordered on Wednesday arrived on Saturday.
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