after trying various methods at removing the carpet I was given this tip by David at Southbound Trimmers in the UK....and it is SOOOO easy, no hacking with a knife, no heatgun then burning your hands with molten glue, no little bits of glue stuck to your hands, arms, hair etc....

The secret is to use a steamer! one with a nozzle, and just steam the glue...it comes apart almost by itself with little or no pulling, which saves possible damage to the 10 year old rubber sound deadening.

I removed the whole back section in about 30 mins ish this morning using this method.

just remember to open both doors and sunroof first (unless your lucky enough not to have one) and make sure the car it properly aired and dry after you finnish.

I hope this tip will be as useful to others as it was to me.

cheers

Lee

 

F*UCK!......Now you tell me!!!!

 

Are you saying that the hateful adhesive comes off very easily with the steam??

 

Where were you about 3 weeks ago...

 

Yeah...where were you about a month ago!!!! I took me days to remove the carpet. The padding came out with the carpet.

 

Perfect timing!!!!!!!!!!!!! My Body Shop will be taking out my carpeting very soon. This will be a huge help.

Thanks a million!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

Great tip! I've stored the salvaged carpet still glued to most of the grey rubber backing from a parts car ... looks like the ugly hide from a bad skinning job on a woolly mammoth. I'll try this to see if a recovery operation can be done

 

Is installation of "off the shelf" carpet as easy?

 

glad to help guys!

I'm about to embark on it myself, i'll let you know in a week or so! wish me luck...

 

also, just to clarify...you MUST use a steamer with a hose and nozzle, so you can direct the steam right at the glue. I found the best method was to pull the carpet gently while directing the steam the carpet and rubber in an up/down motion along the 'join', if you do hit a big blob of glue just blast some steam at it for a while then try to pull it off with your fingers should come of easy.

 

Thanks for the clarification, Lee.

 

I've taken my sound deadening off but have the RS carpet and have been thinking of removing everything, what kind of stemer you used?

 

this is similar to the steamer I used:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Vax-V-081-Co...sbs_kh_title_8

 

Thanks.

 

I have to say that this steamer idea did not pan out as well as planned. The foam comes off fine, but the adhesive still stays behind. I actually found that it was easier to use a heat gun and a plastic scraper. The heat gun does leave a bit more foam behind, but that is easy to remove. It's all the adhesive that is the PITA. The steamer just got everything in the cabin soaking wet.

Still trying to find the best technique to remove the gobs of adhesive everywhere. So far, it appears that spraying generous amounts of "goo gone" (sears) followed by a blast with a heat gune works the best to soften up / liquify the adhesive. You can mop it up with a dry rag while it's still hot. However, it still took me over an hour to do one small section on the rear deck. Also tried "goof off" and denatured alcohol.

Any collective wisdom on how to get this adhesive off easier?