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Replacing the Original Carpet in Your Ride

You got a great deal on a used car but the carpeting has seen some serious use.  If it is heavily stained and/or has gaping holes in it, you have a couple choices. First, you can buy inexpensive floor mats and just cover thenastyareas with them. This is the quick and easy solution. Second, you can go first class and install brand new, fitted carpeting.  This makes the car almost look new again.

Image by keeperrox

Sound expensive? Many people don’t know that you can easy buy preformed carpets for your car and you can install them yourself. Preformed carpets are designed to exactly match the originals in your car.  They will generally be available in the right color and fabric and will be custom molded with all factory pads attached.  Preformed carpets are typically priced in the $150 to $250 range and are available either from your local dealer, local autoparts store or on-line.

If you are considering doing it yourself, here is a step-by-step guide that will help guide you:

  1. The new carpet will be shipped rolled up.  Before you start, unroll it and let it lie on a flat surface for at least a few hours to let it lose its curl.  Placing some books on it to make it lie flat during this time usually helps.
  2. Next, let’s get the front seats out. Unscrew/unsnap any trim pieces from the front seat tracks so you can get to the four nuts that secure the seat to the floor pan studs. You may also have to remove the seat belt anchor bolts. Disconnect any electrical connectors under each seat also.Grab a helper and lift the seats up and out.
  3. If you have a console in between the two front seats, loosen it or remove it.  You may need to consult a factory service manual to see how this is done.  You may also find a Youtube video illustrating the process.
  4. Remove the rear seat cushion.  These usually come out without much trouble but may require some hardware to be loosened or removed first.
  5. When everything is free, pull the old carpet out.
  6. The next step is to transfer the original cutout openings to the new carpet.  Using the old carpet as a template, trace the cutouts onto the new carpet with chalk. Then cut the cutout openings with a boxcutter.  Your new carpet is now ready to go.
  7. Before the new carpet goes in, vacuum the floor pan and check for rust. Treat rusted areas with a rust-inhibiting paint.
  8. When everything is dry, fit the new carpet in and reverse the disassembly procedure.

Cut off excess carpet at the door sills and apply a light coating of spray adhesive such as 3M Spray 77 to the back of the carpet where it rides up onto the firewall.  When finished, enjoy the look and feel of your brand new carpet and buy a set of good set of no-spill coffee mugs!

Thanks to: Ford Dodge Ford

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I am Alizzaa Morrie a freelance contact writer, love to write on new technologies and gadgets. My areas of interests covers Web Designing, Photography, Social Media and WordPress, Technology, Autos and so on.

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