this may help, I posted it a while ago on my private fishing forum
Tools and Supplies
Most of the tools you need to recarpet with are standard Cheap tools that you can get anywhere for a couple of bucks, Power tools :bow: are nice and well worth the price but if your only doing one boat you can get by without them.
Tools and Supplies that are a must- Carpet Knife not a cheap plastic one or a utility Knife, They just wont work it so dont even try.
- pack of 100 carpet razor blades You want to have a sharp edge everytime so you will place them after almost every cut when trimming.
- 2" sturdy scraper
- 10-20 cheap 2"-4" paint brushs
- plastic quart containers
- 1+ gallons of acetone for clean up
- lots of rags
- Shop vac
- 12" and 36" metal straight edge
- Pop Rivet gun get one that will use different size rivets
- Electric Drill will be needed to drill out rivets for hinges and trim piece's
Tools that make it nice- Quality Gasket Scraper
- Cheap spray gun used for glue Harbor frieght has a one pint alum gun for about 20 bucks.
- Hand Held Belt Sander coarse sanding belts
- disc sander withy some 80 grit sanding discs
Carpet
I am in the process of Recarpeting the Cajun again, since the last carpet didnt last but 5 trips before it showed signs of high wear and basically looked like crap. This carpet was bought from home depot and was made by land and sea and is made for boats. I dont recomend it at all. since it was my own boat I figured I would try this carpet because one I could get it cheap and very fast. DONT GO CHEAP OR FAST because you wont be happy with the results.
This Carpet lasted 5 trips before it became seriously worn and looked like crap. I belive there is a total of 8 trips on it now. The Boat is always kept in my shop so sun and weather dont hit it unless I am on the lake. you can see the glue that seeped through the carpet Backing.
The few other boats I have done for people I used Quality carpet bought from a few different places. it made a world of difference. while the cost was about twice as much and the time getting it took longer it was well worth it.
The backing on land and sea carpet absorbs the glue no matter why type you use and will mat the carpet down as soon as you step on it.
Different Types of Backing
There are 2 different types of carpet I have used as far as backing. In the picture below on the left is a backing that will asorb cement wether it be Contact cement or Speadable indoor outdoor carpet cement.
The backing on the left is very brittle and peals off extreamly easy,It will also peal off very easy if used with contact cement. It will litterally leave the backing stuck to the floor and the carpet will come up. This backing also leaks through and soaks the carpet leaving it a matted mess.
The carpet backing on the right of the picture is a semi hard stretchable backing that will not separate or let cement leak through to the carpet.
Home Depot Land & Sea Carpet backing on the left and Carpet from Mesa Sales on the right
I wont go into this to much except to say you want a non looped carpet so hooks will not get caught and tear your newly carpeted boat.
20oz. Carpet is mostly used for bass boats, anything more and your decklids will be extreamly tight to close if not close at all.
The 3 carpet places I have used are:
- Mesa Sales In mesa AZ has a real good selection of carpet in different widths and colors, The sell everything you need to apply it and all the tools needed as well.They are also extreamly helpful and very nice people
- Bass Boat Carpet (internet sales)
- The carpet Barn was another place I used when they were here in glendale. I believe they moved to prescott az. They had a huge selection of carpet and everything you needed to apply it.
How Much do you need to order
Thats the million dollar question.
The way I have done it is if the boat is total length of 18 feet I order that +5 feet, now that being said Rangers with lots of compartments and dual consols I need about 10 extra feet, It also makes a difference as to what width you get as too how much extra you need. and if your doing inside rod lockers and some compartments make sure you get lots extra.
try to buy the carpet all at once. If you need more chances of getting the same lot number is really hard. ( each lots number will vary slightly in color).
Also if you want a PERFECT job make sure you run all your carpet the same direction of cource this will require you to buy more carpet.
Carpet Glue
basically 2 types one is a contact cement and the other is a speadable slow drying type. Both have there advantages. if you buy contact cement, buy it at a carpet store it will be alot cheaper, painting it on you will use about 3-4 gallons for a 18-19 foot boat including all compartments. spraying it on you will use about a gallon and a half to 2 gallons( probally less).
Contact Cement:
If and only if you have someone that is compatent to help you use this stuff, its fast, its easy and it drys quickly.
Its easier to be sprayed and you will use alot less, painting it on with a brush works very well also, however you use alot more. very easily cleaned with Acetone.
Indoor/outdoor carpet cement
Roberts indoor/ outdoor carpet adhesive 6700 I have use this in the past with great results. Its very easy to use and once you get the carpet down you can move it and stretch it to fit. using this cement makes it alot easier for one person to do the job.
you should let it set for 24-48 hours before you use the boat, I would recommend 4-5 days and a few of those days have it in the heat so it will completely dry.
