New rug and can't open my livewells?

[twitch]

I recently finished my rug job on my boat and can't get the livewells open , only with the use of a small pry bar ,all the other compartments are tight but open just the 2 livewells I used painters stick and left them in for a week trying to force the nap down but that didn't work . So tight I broke one of the pulls on it and waiting for new ones from Ranger now. any suggestions for me it's a real pain , someone mentioned putting some kind of strap loop on it to pull on instead the plastic pulls ???

[DeGraaf]

Trim edges only on lid with barber clippers. Wahl type from Walmart or wherever
Not hard at all

[WisconsinF]

Spray the edges with Amour All? It's full of silicone.

[paulrodbender]

Be like me and don't catch fish......problem solved. Ok, trim carpet. I had the straps on mine and then installed the plastic pulls, straps were easier to open. I used pieces from the straps from the boat cover on my seats and that has worked pretty good. I've got a bag full of black extra straps here at the shop if you need it, about an inch wide.

[twitch]

might add the straps along with the pulls already have them coming from Ranger ,found some strap in my cellar about 1 1/2 wide should work out ok what did you hold them on with?

[paulrodbender]

3/16" aluminum rivet with a washer I believe.

[billnorman1]

I ditched my latches when I recarpeted and use straps. No more broken nails or sprained fingers. Haven't had a fish force their way out of the livewell yet.

[Amistad Tackle]

Trim edges only on lid with barber clippers. Wahl type from Walmart or wherever
Not hard at all

I had the same issue. Trim the nap with barber clippers. It will likely still be tight, but will solve your problem. Had this issue on several lids.

[twitch]

I will try trimming the back of the lid that way it will not show and still make it a little looser or at least that s the plan will let you know...

[twitch]

well after assessing the problem again instead of trimming I removed the carpet from where the hinge went to the boat and now I can open the livewells no problem put on the neew pulls from Ranger and all is fine now with the lids opening and closing...

[plbass]

[TOUCH OF CLASS]

We have put 20 oz carpet on lids have had to do the clipper trick a few times.