Cargo Floor Carpet Restoration

Okay, so as I type this, I have no idea if I'll be successful as posting pics, but thought I'd share a restoration project I have just started.

The back-sides of my two rear seats (aka cargo "floor" when they are unfolded flat) have carpet panels on them, each one trimmed in chrome. I've decided to replace these faded, dirty and aged panels with new original carpet. Thus far, I have removed all 60 pieces of trim and the seven panels of carpet. I've also ordered the carpet which is due to arrive in a week or so. While I'm waiting, I'm going to polish the chrome pieces and scrub down the metal flooring to remove the carpet glue residue (Mineral Spirits is working pretty well for this so far). The carpet is coming in one large (3 yards) piece, so I'll have to cut the seven panels out myself, using the old pieces as my patterns.

By the way, if anyone out there is looking for an automotive upholstery place, "SMS Upholstery" is my supplier. They are located in OR. They have a "sample request" form on their website. I filled it out and they sent me samples of the correct carpet, seat cloth and vinyl as well as headliner for my car; all were a perfect match. I'm very excited.

 

Hey Glide-Aways,
I am excited for you. I am doing the same thing right now with my Estate Wagon.
SMS is wonderful! They seem to have everything, and if there is something they don't have, they can make it!

My cargo flooring was rusty from a big piece of extra carpet that would get saturated when it would rain. Luckily, it never went down in the trunk compartment below. I sent all of the panels to another great resource, Metal Rehab Technologies in Arlington, TX. Just got them back totally rust-free and in epoxy primer inside and out, as they are double walled.

I will order the carpet soon and get it back together.

I look forward to seeing your results!

David

 

I was looking at the pic you posted back in Aug of your cargo area carpet (and your adorable nieces) and it looked in quite nice condition. Just making it fresh and new? How is the rest of your carpet?

 

I can't wait for the finished product. The cargo floor seems to be the most un-restored area of many wagons I've seen for sale.

SMS is a great source for all those hard to find fabric needs. My cargo floor area was much more simple being as that it's all carpet.

 

Hey David,

It's so cool to hear of someone else in the midst of a similar project, on a similar car, using the same supplier! Yes, I'm excited about SMS too; can't wait for the carpet to arrive!
I was debating whether or not to restore my floor panels too (not to mention how). Mine are not rusted, but could use a "make over." I don't have the $ for that tho right now. Did you pay a lot to ship the panels to TX (if you don't mind me asking)?

Matt

 

Oh, yeah, the carpet panels nearest the tailgate actually were not original. It appears they were household grade carpet pieces, probably replaced 10 or more years ago. The four panels behind my nieces were original, and much darker than the floor carpeting (age +dirt). The non-original panels appearing in the photo are darker brown, evidently the original owner's attempt to match the older original panels. So yes, I'm doing this just to freshen up the cargo area.
My floor carpeting is still in great shape. When I removed the chrome pieces from the original panels, the edges revealed the original color...still very close to the floor.
I think I'll call the place in TX you mentioned for some ball-park estimates on refinishing my metal panels.
How's your project coming along?

 

Another SMS satisfied customer? Great to hear!

I'm heading out today to clean the glue residue from the metal surface. The panels I removed are here in my living room, waiting to serve as my patterns for cutting the new panels when the SMS delivery arrives. Oh, then there is the refinishing and polishing of the 60 pieces of chrome!

 

I just ordered some samples myself for my Torino in Blue. I am still waiting on my painter to finish up the cargo floor and seat metal portions of the wagon before I get her home for re-assembly. I can't wait and it seems SMS has it all carpet, headliner, and vinyl to get the wagon's interior back to original. Good luck guys on your projects!

 

Hey Matt,
I live in Dallas, so the Metal Rehab place is just a short drive from home. I use them a lot, and have for years. Their prices are quite reasonable, but if I had to ship my parts, I think the expense would become prohibitive.

I think that if someone has a very hard-to-find tailgate or other extremely rare part that is rusty, this place would certainly be worth it. They would dip the panel, remove all rust and epoxy prime the part. You could then have a good metal guy patch in fresh metal to any areas turned into swiss cheese by the removal process. The benefit of this is knowing that the part is completely rust-free and rust won't come back through a nice paint job later.

One just has to weigh the cost of working with the panel you already have vs. the cost of finding a better panel as a replacement.

Your cargo panels don't sound bad at all...you probably could just sand down the scratches and repaint them with the right semi-matte saddle colored paint. An automotive color store could match a sample for you.

I haven't received carpet yet, but I will post pics of my work on my cargo area soon.

Looking forward to seeing how your's turns out.

Thanks,
David

 

Seems to be the season for new upholstery. I was lucky to find a near mint condition interior from a 1983 sedan to change from the one I got from a 1982 sedan. I have to modify the rear cushion for the flip-down rear backrest on the wagon.

I'll need a headliner one of these days though. Mine's kind of odd. Fairmonts and Zephyrs got the cardboard backed liners in the US and Canada, and my Mexican-built wagon got the hoop-mounted system. Maybe an LTD II or Granada wagon are the same.

 

Yeah, I hear ya. I'll need a headliner some day too. Mine is in great shape other than coming a bit loose just above the two passenger doors...a little wrinkly. My two clothes hanger clips are also missing. Some day...

 

Was lucky to buy a bargain last month on eBay: new carpet, exact color and pile match for only $1.00
Since I only needed the front, I can now change the discolored piece on the lid in the rear compartment

 

Maybe a stupid question, but did the 78 Colony Park originally have carpeting in the cargo-space? I've seen 2 Colony Parks here in the Netherlands including my own and they all don't have carpeting. It looks kinda cheap.

I was thinking of cutting my own carpet but don't have any addresses for the correct carpet. What is 'SMS' ; someone have a website (try searching for SMS on google )

 

I can't imagine a Colony Park without cargo carpet. I'm sure it did.

Here's SMS Interiors. It also in our Site Directory with other interior and carpet suppliers:
http://smsautofabrics.com/

http://www.stationwagonforums.com/forums/local_links.php?catid=5

 

Hey All,

I thought I would post a "progress report"

Today I finished polishing the chrome trim pieces and have nearly finished removing the glue residue from the cargo floor.

My new carpet arrived a few days ago. By next weekend I aim to have the new panels cut out. I've not yet figured out the proper glue or adhesive to use for the installation, but hope to soon (any advice on this would be welcomed!).