How to Install an Automotive Carpet
I am going to use a Camaro for the project so a few things may vary but the basic idea will be the same. First off we need a new molded automotive carpet. Now let’s gets started get the new carpet out of the box and lay it out in the sun. This will help the carpet smooth out. Now we can start taking out the seats first most Camaros have bucket seats and there is 4 bolts on each seat. Make sure you put these in a can so nothing is lost. The back seat you have to take the bottom out first and in the middle of where someone would sit there is a hook that holds the seat in. One hook on each side. Put your hand in the middle and push back and up on each side and now take it out and put it some were safe. Now for the back part of the seat there are 2 bolts towards the bottom take those out and on the back top of the seat there are 2 hooks one on each side. Put your hands one on each side in the middle like you did the bottom and push up that should free the seat. Now we have some room to work. Most Camaros have a console and it is 2 pieces. Haven’t done one of these in a while so this isn’t 100% but were the horse shoe handle is there is 4 screws then lift that up and you should be able to take off the horse shoe shifter. There should be some screws in the glove box part of the console. Pull the ash tray out unhook the wiring for the back light and the rest of the console wiring unbolt the console. Next to do is simple the sill plates 4 screws on each side. The next thing is always a bare for me is the kick panels. For this is up to you. 1. You can take them both out or 2. You can loosen them enough to get the carpet underneath them. I myself usually have the whole car a part but if I had my choice I would probably just loosen them enough. One thing you may have to take out the emergency brake from the left side generally it is 2 nuts underneath the hood on the firewall under the master cylinder. Take out the old carpet.
Installing the Carpet
Now for the fun part this is what I do, the carpet has a backing on it but I recommend you use a carpet sound deadener and I also (optional) use the foil insulation to keep the heat off the carpet. You see this at the car shows and we have it too. (Reason why the carpet will last longer.) But I cut it to fit from the firewall to the back on the floor not the hump. If you use this make sure to cut all holes out for the seats and the shifter. Lay the warm carpet in the back first then the front carpet and do your trimming. Plus the edge has a piece of vinyl sewed to make it look nice. Every carpet maybe a little different, sometimes you have to trim around the kick panel area and were the carpet sill plates are. Find your holes for you bolts and put thing back the kick panels, console, back seat, buckets and then carpet sill plates. I trim the sill plate area last just in case. Last note: don’t cut too much when you do the kick panels area you want a nice tight fit. Hope this will help you out when installing your carpet.
