Cargo Floor Carpet Restoration

First I gotta get my doors sealed good. I had to rip out the old carpet cause it got soaked before I started garaging the wagon. You guys are ahead of me on the restorations it seems. Mine runs pretty good though Also mine definetely doesnt have all those chrome trim pieces. That musta ben a caprice thing. Nice!

 

contact cement (glue) is what we used to use to glue the carpet down when I worked in the body shop more than a few decades ago. This is the cement that they use to glue Formica counter tops to the wood. You start by rolling or brushing on the contact cement to the surface in the car. Then while that dries, you coat the backside of the carpet. Then let that dry. The next step is to place wooden slats across the floor every 6" or so, so when you put the carpet on top of the slats, it doesn't come in contact with the glue on the floor until you are ready to set it permanently. You only get one chance at this, because when the two glue surfaces contact each other, they lock together and trying to pull them apart will just tear the carpet to pieces. Once you have everything aligned, you start removing the sticks at one side, working to the other. Using your wifes baking rolling pin, work the carpet toward the end where the sticks have not been removed to work out any bubbles or wrinkles. Keep doing this until all the sticks are removed. Do any final trimming with a single edge razor. Install the trim, and it will look as good as the day it left the factory.
You can purchase the glue in quart containers wherever they sell plastic laminate (aka Formica, Wilson Art, etc.)

 

Permatex Automotive spray contact. Quick, and easy.