this is something i did to help with an ill fitting new carpet

[strokerpost]

I got a new carpet for my Dart years ago that at first seemed like it was not going to fit well at all, and as this was January I couldnt lay it out in the sun for a few hours to "relax" it, I propped it up in the shape of a pup tent using some tomato sticks, right outside my shop, and stuck my torpedo heater at one end of it and let it blow hot air though "the tunnel" . Every 30 seconds or so I would reposition it to make sure I was heating it evenly. Keep in mind here, I had the doors on the car open, my path to the car clear and a helper (optional but handy) then when it was obvious the fold marks and wrinkles had relaxed and the whole carpet was plyable, we took it to the car, placed it where it should be and started pressing it down into all the corners and low spots and when we were done, about 15 min worth of fenessing it looked like it had been there for years. The main idea here is just applying some kind of heat source to to make the whole thing soft. I dont think it even left a kerosene smell on it. Just thought I would share something that helped make a usually long job not so bad. Did this same thing to a piece of house carpet for the kids playhouse, took out every wrinkle.
Ken.

 

[detmatt]

That's a great idea, thanks for sharing it. I'll give that a shot in my RR.

 

[polara71]

fire extinguisher handy?

 

[strokerpost]

fire extinguisher handy?

Always a good idea, but hopefully you wont have it that close to the heat source. The way I had mine arranged, at the heater end the carpet was a good 6 inches away from the heater all the way around, then at the end furthest away from the heater I had it taper down slightly so the hot air didnt just blow through. Keep in mind, when I did mine it was in the twenties outside and that's why we had to hurry to the car before it cooled to much. Lol.. I actually got the idea when I was working in a seat plant building seats for Buicks, Olds, and Pontiacs. There they would put some of the leather seat covers and headrest covers in what was basically a clothes dryer to soften them up enough to be able to get them over the foam. Whatever works.

 

[commando1]

There they would put some of the leather seat covers and headrest covers in what was basically a clothes dryer to soften them up enough to be able to get them over the foam. Whatever works.

Brilliant. I have to file that one away.

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