Fishingbud... I got a question for you

[_tyler_wright_]

Okay you know how in the back floor of your boat you have the storage in the floor. I've been looking around and can't figure out how you carpeted the inside lip thing. How did you make it around those curves? The reason i'm asking is because i'm getting another jon and it's either a 1436 or 1438 and i'm wanting to do some storgae and like the clean look of yours when you open it. Could someone give me a close up pic of it and tell me how you did it.

Thanks alot!

[BassChump]

Well, finally a subject I can talk with some authority. I'm 48 and I was a carpet installer since I was a kid until 4 years ago when I finally opened an RV dealership. I've carpeted boats, motorhomes, travel trailers, mobile homes, new homes, remodels, etc. When it comes to carpet, I've been there, done that!!!!!!

I'm assuming you are wondering how the carpet completely covers the edges of the "hole" in the deck looking from above.

Carpet gets more plyable the warmer it is. Take a blowdryer and heat the bottom of the carpet at those edges and make your cuts in the carpet but only within an inch or so from the side. That way when you start to fold it under the lip, it will bend and actually stretch just enough to make it completely around the lip without showing the wood, aluminum or fiberglass underneath. If you get a good quality glue, it will hold it just fine. Read the directions carefully concerning the glue. Most adhesives for carpet must get "tacky" before you adhere the carpet. In other words, the glue must be partially dried before you put the carpet to it.

Another good idea is to take some kind of roller such as a small vinyl roller or even a piece of PVC pipe and use this to roll the carpet into the glue. Put pressure on the pipe and roll it all over the carpet as you're installing it. That spreads the glue and squishes into the backing of the carpet so it won't come of down the road.

Hope this helps and it answers your question.

[_tyler_wright_]

Thank you VERY much! I thought i would have to use a heat gun or blow dryer and use it. But if i form it and don't get it glued down but for a couple more days, will the carpet flatten out again?

[BassChump]

That depends. If you leave the carpet in place but don't glue it until later, that's fine. Just use the blow dryer or heat gun, reheat it to make it plyable and glue it. If you use an actual heat gun, the temp coming out of the nozzle is up to 1500 degrees so don't get the backing too hot or it will melt the carpet. Also the top of the carpet (the fuzzy part) melts at a lower temp than the back so I would suggest just using a regular blow dryer. That usually doesn't get hot enough to melt anything and it will get the backing of the carpet plenty warm enough to mould around the corners.

If you are going to cut the carpet in then remove it and put it back at a later time, personally I would advise against that. In theory, yes the carpet should lay out the same way when you put it back on but unfortunately it has been my experience that most of the time when you go to relay the carpet, it just doesn't fit quite the way it originally did when you cut it in and you have to really work it to get it back into shape.

I would suggest to cut it in and glue it in place the 1st time. I promise you it will save you a lot of work and heartache.

Also remember that all carpet is directional. Even the marine stuff. Not that critical on a boat but if the different pieces of carpet (ie, the tops of the storage doors, etc.) are laid in a different direction, the color of the carpet will not look the same as the rest of the carpet. Also it won't feel the same when you rub your hand across it. Most carpet manufactured in the US today has arrows or lines printed on the back to let you know what direction to install it.

Are you using the rubber backed marine carpet or the nylon backed carpet? (action back is what it's called in the biz). The nylon backed carpet is quite a bit tougher but it's typically more expensive and harder to install. The rubber backed stuff probably wouldn't even need to be warmed up to mould around the edges. It's pretty plyable in any temperature.

Hmm, I'm rambling on so if you have any questions, I'd be happy to help.

[_tyler_wright_]

I'm using just regular indoor/ outdoor carpet. It's got a kinda tough back to it, not the rubber stuff.

[BassChump]

Great! It should last you a very long time. Just use a blowdryer to get it good and warm and you should do just fine.

To cut it, just use a regular utility knife and keep the edge sharp by either keeping a sharpening stone on it or just replacing the blade when it starts to cut hard and that's what works best.

In the corners, you can use a putty knife or some similiar blade type tool to tuck in the edges once you cut it.

If I can be of any help, just let me know.

         

[FishingBuds]

hey Tyler, good to see ya getting answeres.

been busy.

I agree with what they're saying to ya.

I ended up using as glue the 3M adhesive spray instead, much faster

still used the tools as mentioned (the wifes' dough roller, her hair dryer and a putty knife) and a staple gun on the wood(for those tuff edges) this was a big help, I was able to keep moven

I did use the carpet glue from Lowes, but I used the spray on the edgse and as I went I just stuck with it and finished the whole project that way, cost more but I'd do it again

Let me know if ya still would like a pick.

good luck on the project and keep us posted

[_tyler_wright_]

Don't worry about the picture i think io got it figured out. I'm just waiting on the guy to call me back that has that boat

[BassChump]

If you decide to use the spray glue, the best in my opinion is stuff called "Wolf Grip" and it holds better than any spray glue I have found by far. Good stuff.

You can get it at most carpet installer supply places. Even some carpet stores carry it but I've never seen it in any retail outlet.

It usually runs about 8 bucks a can but it's a large can and it works great.

Let us know how it turns out.

Good luck.

[Low_Budget_Hooker]

Thanks Mav, great answers.  I'll look into wolf grip next time I replace my decks.

About the "directional" aspect of the carpeting, Mav is talking about the weave or the 4-way/2-way stretch aspects of carpet.  I'm going to add to that and keep in mind which way your lines are running when you lay it all out.

You don't want all the lines running different ways.  Side to side or front to back.  If a small boat, front to back makes it look longer