Re: Carpet replacement...
Re: Carpet replacement...
ell I have finished the carpet on the boat--front deck, main floor, and lids. Will get pics posted this weekend. The carpet I used was 20oz marine carpet and I used Formica 145 contact cement. The contact cement worked perfectly. With 6x21 carpet (18ft 85 inches wide( i believe) 7 lids) I had just enough left that I can recarpet the trailer steps. I have a few pointers for anyone who may need them.
1. When taking the old hinges off of your lids try not to bugger the holes in the lids. (using the same holes makes alignment much easier)
2. Mark your hinges exactly how they came off and where they go
3. Save your old carpet for templates (I ended up using my old carpet as a template after a couple of weeks of measuring and drawing)
4. When using your old carpet add an extra 1 to 2 inches for safety sake--this will give you more room for error
5. Mark your latch lids on the carpet (will make alignment of carpet on lid much easier)
6. Buy lots of new screws
7. Keep the direction of the carpet the same front to back and side to side
8. Lay your lids and cut them first
9. Since your carpet is bottom side up. Make sure to turn your templates (old carpet) bottom side up before you cut
10. Use a thin bladed professional carpet knife
11. Use a hawkbill to get the edges tight in the corners
12. Have 1, 2, 5 inch paint brush (if using contact cement) and have enough of them for multiple days (if you can't get it all done in one day)
13. Take your time
This was my first time doing anything to a boat and must say it turned out pretty nice. I did enjoy it and still have a few things to do (remount everything and get new fishing seat) but the carpet thing I really wanted to get done. I hope the above info
