I've decided to quit trying to make my 280zx look pretty on the inside and just gut it except the seats and dash. Upon carpet removal I've noticed that the jute (as stated by most of you who have done this before) acts like a sponge and basically will rot your floorboards from the inside out. Sure enough, mine had very damp jute and rust to boot. My question is how to remove all of the tiny pieces of jute and carpet that seem to be attached to the metal by forces stronger than I. Also, the door panel plastic was held on by some kind of white and yellow sealant that is also as stubborn as cold carbs. Any cheap alternatives to just scrapping it off with a putty knife? Thanks, Mak

Well Makdiesel,

You have to use the special jute scrapper. Funny thing is, is that it looks exactly like a putty knife!!! Just having a little fun with ya!!! Boy didn't they use some killer adhesives on these cars. Heck, if they had used more the floor boards wouldn't rust.

Seriously, what you might try is some acetone to loosen the stuff up. Just remember about flammable materials!!!

I know that some people have just used a wire wheel on a grinder, but that does make a mess. You could try those Sotch-Brite wheels on a grinder as well.

It's either a mess with acetone or some other thinner such as laquer thinner, or a dusty mess with a grinder, or the putty knife.

There's really no easy, no-mess solution.

Ditto that 2ManyZs!!!

I used a putty knife and then acetone to clean up the residue.

if its the same as the bitumen mat deadening on the 260Z i used a chisel and momentum.

On my first 260Z which had been a shell for a while, the matting had dried out and become brittle, sliding a chisel between it and the metal with force shattered it into flaking sheets.

On my 1977, the bitumen was as new, the above method worked, but with much slower results as it was still sticky. I found that using a heat gun on the matting long enough for it to become plyable but not long enough for it to become almost liquid worked well and i was able to lever the bulk of it off with a chisel.

I used a putty knife, a heat gun, and a big tub of elbow grease. To get the "fur" off I used laquer thinner.

I used the same method as drunkenmaster, a putty knife and a heat gun also helps... or you could try using a wire brush.

Paint scraper, putty knife, wire brush, dust mask, heat gun. You will need the heat gun to put new tar mat back down. Replace the jute and the adhesive is most like 3-M's brand yellow adhesive contact cement. Pain-in-the, isn't it?