Carpet Overhaul

[smoot504]

I thought that I might post some pics of my carpet overhaul on my '92 Javelin in case there is anybody that has any questions or SUGGESTIONS on anything. I think it is going pretty well so far being that ALL of the glue came off relatively easy. I never thought that it would all come off without leaving some kind of trace of it. I've got one more piece of carpet to remove while I'm waiting on my carpet to get here from http://www.bassboatcarpet.com and some friends to help install the new stuff. If anyone has any suggestions that may help me in my journey for newly installed carpet or any questions as to how I'm doing it, please gimme a shout ya hear?


This is a pic of how the carpet looked before I did anything to it.



Here are some pics of the boat while removing the old carpet. The glue came off suprisingly easy with the help of a little lacquer thinner and a razor scraper.

[Rollo331]

Cool looks like you are well on your way,the ard part is done (glue removal)

[HydraSport205]

The best thing I can suggest is to have LOTS of sharp carpet knife blades handy. I used all the ones that came in the bassboatcarpets kit plus a few more. Oh yeah, those blades are sharp!!. I got 2 major slices in my index finger to prove it. I had never worked with a carpet knife before and a sharp edge on the top and bottom of the knife is easy to forget! If you follow the instructions with the kit you will be good. Lookin' awesome man!

[smoot504]

Ran into a problem today while taking the last piece of carpet up off of the floor. "A CRACK". Luckily after removing some of the fiberglass, I found that the plywood is not cracked, it is just the fiberglass that was overtop of it. Little grinding to remove the cracked fiberglass, and another coat of glass over top of it, and I should be O.K.

[DR Stratos]

Are you going to re-fiberglass and tape that area? IMO, I think you should. Looks like everything is coming along though.

[smoot504]

Not sure what exactly i'm going to do with it yet. After I removed some more of the carpet, I ran into a bigger problem. There are some parts of the floor that are rotting.

[Skarfer]

Only suggestion that I have for you is to get a big container of contact cement! I just recarpeted my boat LAST NIGHT and all went relatively smooth.....after reading up on how to do it and what to use on here I tried it myself. I used indoor/outdoor carpet glue for the lower floor area - and this is the only part I'm not happy with - the glue actually started working it's way up through the carpet and there's a couple of spots that might stain - I might have to redo this part. The front and read decks along with the lids turned out GREAT! Thanks to everyone that suggested contact cement (DAP - found at Walmart) this stuff is awesome! Just brush it on both surfaces, wait about 15-20 min and WHAMMO! It's stuck! I was up till 1am putting lids back on and all the hardware....I am using rust resistant bolts - unlike the gentleman I bought the boat off of last year - every nut and bolt was rusted together when went to take it all apart! That was the hardest part for me!!

Good luck!

[smoot504]

thanks Scott. what kind of carpet did you use. You have me a little concerned about the indoor/outdoor carpet glue cuz that's what I was going to use. I bought 20oz marine carpet from http://www.bassboatcarpet.com and it has a rubber backing on it. Is that what you have?

[Skarfer]

No - I got my carpet from my brother in law. He's got an open bow ski boat that he had recarpeted and this is the carpet he had left. It is indoor/outdoor carpet - and doesn't have the rubber backing on it.

I really think the reason it started to come up through is that I walked on it too soon! I walked on it initially to get the glue spread out - but then continued walking on it to do the front and rear decks.....and I think this caused the glue to work it's way up through........

If I do it all over again, I'll just use that contact cement for the entire floor! That stuff is the cat's ass!!!!!

Little hint for you - make sure you mark all the holes before you lay the carpet on anything! I forgot to mark holes and spent all day Sunday locating them with a nail! Side note to self: buy an awl before next carpet job!!!!!!

Needless to say I'm in pain trying to type right now! My fingers are so dang sore it's unbelievable!!!!!!! HAHA - live and learn, right??

Hope all this helps - learn from my mistakes! That's what this board is for!!!!!

[HydraSport205]

I used the bassboatcarpets stuff. No problems with the carpet glue bleeding through at all.

[Skarfer]

Difference is - my carpet was free.............

I only have the cost of the glue in my boat.........2 quarts of contact cement and a el cheapo brush. I had the carpet, razor blades already..........

[DR Stratos]

You get what you pay for. Get the carpet from Bass boat carpet, with the rubber marine backing. You'll be happy with it and will last.

Good luck with your boat.

[Skarfer]

You are exactly right - and you also have to consider something else. This is my first bass boat - and we scraped together enough money to buy it, it's a 1983 Procraft 1540V.............she's old, but she's still looking sharp! I don't have $30,000+ to spend on a nice shiny new boat and have to make due with what I can afford.

She treats me right, gets me out on the water ...........takes me to where the fish are and gets me home. That's all I can ask for.....hell, she'll even get up to about 50 mph!

Someday I hope to have a nice, new rig - but until then I am happy to just be able to get out and fish! I recarpeted my boat for about $25. No kidding. Carpet glue and 2 quarts of contact cement...........and she looks good. Only a little browning where the glue came up through - and i've got enough carpet and cement left that if I want to change it, I can.

Can't beat the price - and especially the satisfaction of knowing you did it yourself.

[HydraSport205]

Nothing wrong with that man. I dont have 30 large either! Glad your carpet turned out well.