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MG MGB Technical - Can you recommend interior carpet?

Hi everyone,

Im about to launch into the reupolstering of my 67 Mk1 B roadster in black with white piping.

I have made the decision not to buy a kit, but to instead purchase automotive carpet and do it myself.

I'm fortunate in that I have a relative with an industrial sewing machine, so that will help with making each piece.

Any recommendations in what to look for in choosing a carpet? Such as loop or cut pile? Grade of carpet? Backing material etc etc...

Also... what should I avoid?

Any advice gratefully accepted.

Thanks

Mark
Mark Duggan

I find your attitude commendable but I think you will find it difficult to fit the carpet over the transmission tunnel and rear wheel arches. I had a set of flat precut pieces that I was going to do my '68 roadster with but in the end bought a preformed set. If you do go it alone I expect a latex backed carpet would work better than a hesian backed one.
Steve Church

Mark
I used a kit, but the pieces for the arches were flat and I managed to fit these so they looked good. So you should be fine with these.
The tunnel is a real @*$#er! - I ended up ditching the kit piece which was hopeless, and redid it myself. However, it is not a good fit (too loose / baggy) so I intend to get an upholsterer to tweak it or make a new piece and fit it.
All the other bits are flat and won't provide any major hassles.

John
John Minchin

Hi Mark,

Over in Oz, we have Clarks Rubber chain. They carry nice automotive carpet, at about $45 per metre, 2 metres wide.

Herb
Herb Adler

We have a similar chain (Para Rubber)... I will try them to see what they have in stock.
Cheers
Mark Duggan

The flat arched carpet pieces can be coaxed to perfection using spray or brush contact adhesive and a heat gun, Use darts to locate the start point, make first stick at the lowest middle of the arch at the package tray ( bat cover) and use heat gun ( which hopefully you've already warmed the piece with) and pull up sticking your piece in a stright, thin line up the middle to the fender wall. Then stretch the carpet right and left, "Fanning" the stick down for a perfect contour, sans wrinkles, on the whole enchilada. Worked for me many times.
I too paid the price for that contoured tunnel just once. Again heat gun and sticky adhesive spray, will provide and acceptable look which is mostly covered by seats and seatbelt attachment, and sometimes a console and armrest. This tech also works for the end footwell pieces that wrap around the steering column wall, and the passenger side tunnel to firewall pieces. Good luck, how about some pix of the end product from the proud father? Cheers, Vem
vem myers

This thread was discussed between 22/10/2012 and 30/10/2012

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