How To Replace Auto Carpet
After years of spilled soda, dropped burgers, and melted chocolate, your car's interior carpet can become quite a pitiful sight. Luckily, it's not that hard to replace auto carpet. Begin by removing everything from inside your vehicle, including the rugs. Grab your tool box, an awl, and a utility knife. You might want to check the weather forecast as this isn't a job you'll want to tackle when there's a chance of rain.
Purchasing auto carpet at the dealership will likely cost a fortune, so we recommend searching online for vendors that sell generic carpet in the color that you're seeking. Once you've received the carpet, unroll it and lay it out flat on the ground for at least a few hours so it can smooth out. Overnight might be a good idea.
Begin by removing the seats. Hopefully you have your vehicle's shop manual on hand. The first accessory I purchase after buying a new car is an official shop manual. They're much better than the cheap car repair manuals you'll find at local auto supply stores. Review the shop manual for seat removal instructions specific to your vehicle. They'll either be bolted onto the floor pan or will be sitting on a track. Be careful not to break any electrical connections. Remove the seat belts if necessary.
Be sure keep your parts organized. Place all bolts, screws, and fasteners in clearly labeled zip lock bags. It can be a time consuming, pain in the rear to locate replacement bolts for your specific car model. I speak from experience.
Remove the center console and shifter if so equipped. Review your shop manual for specifics, but there are usually fasteners along the edge of the base. Feel around until you find them. The retaining screws may be hidden underneath panels or plastic caps. Remove the shifter by following the instructions in your shop manual.
Now remove the door jam panels and interior molding. There are usually screws or clips holding them in. Consult your shop manual if necessary. Don't force a panel off as you may break it. Remove any other plates, panels, and trim that may block the removal of your old auto carpet. Be careful not to damage any electrical connections that you come across.
Now it's time to tear out your old smelly car carpet! Working from the edge, gently pull it up keeping an eye out for any electrical connections. You can usually just roll it up and pull it right out.
Lay the old carpet right on top of the new. Make sure all contours and holes match up. Once cut, auto carpet isn't usually returnable. So be certain that the new carpet is a correct fit for your vehicle. It will be slightly wider than than the old to allow for trimming.
Before installing the new carpet, take a look at the floor pan. Use a wire brush to remove any rust spots. You may need to purchase a cleaning solvent if the flooring is especially dirty. Visit a local auto parts supply center and ask them which product they recommend. Use a vacuum cleaner to remove any dirt and debris. Be careful not to disturb any electrical connections.
Now lay the new carpet in the center of your automobile. Make sure that the heel pad is in the correct location. Working from the center, smooth the carpet out to the edges. Smooth out any ridges and bumps that form. The carpet should now be lined up perfectly.
Carefully pull back the carpet from one edge at a time, and begin locating holes. Start from the center and work your way out to the edges. Make holes with an awl and trim with your utility knife. Make one cut at a time, checking to make sure that each is precisely lined up before moving on to the next. Always cut small. It's easy to enlarge a cut, but you're stuck with a hole that's too large.
Once your cuts are finished, take a look at the old carpet. Count the number of holes and make sure your new carpet has the same amount. If you're happy with the look, trim any excess and install components in the reverse order that they were removed. Be especially careful when reinstalling the seats and seat belts, and be sure to use a torque wrench. Check your factory manual or call a dealership to find the correct torque.
Hopefully your auto carpet replacement was accomplished without a hitch and your car's interior now looks like brand new. There may be an odd bunch up or ripple here and there but they should smooth out over time. Congratulation on a job well done!