carpet edging/sealing on do-it-yourself job

[lombrozo]

1973 240Z, original carpet looks OK but the underlying plastic is horrid and cracking.

All the carpet pieces are flat - just the floor mats, the rear deck, and the pieces that go behind/under the seats - no fancy seams.

I would like to find some Home-Depot black carpet (or even go to a carpet store) and cut new pieces, using the stock pieces as perfect templates.

Any suggestions on how to prevent unravelling of the edges (including the cut in the middle of the rear deck to allow opening individual tool compartments?

Is there a glue-on edging that is commonly available? Is there a type of carpet that has secure edges when cut with scissors/razor blade?

I am planning to glue an underlayer of mylar bubble-wrap insulation to the underside of the carpet, perhaps I can make a nice seam this way, maybe with some sort of silicon rubber at the edges?

Any advice appreciated.

[EScanlon]

What is your budget for this do-it-yourself project?

If it's over $150 then it might be easiest to buy brand new and cut to fit carpets made to the OEM pattern.

Just my 2¢

E

[hls30.com]

I bought a three needle Singer serger off Ebay last year for $60 including shipping just for that purpose! It come without a motor, but can be "hand run".

I spent about three hours cleaning it up, and getting to know it(circa 1900), seriously heavy duty, wick lubricated, but binds edges beautifully-cool and interesting machine! It will also bind books-I had forgotten this, but in light of a current project, it could prove useful!

The prior set of carpets I made I took to an upholstery shop and had the edges bound-$40 and they wrapped every edge(even the strap holes) with the vinyl that matched my tunnel! I was happy with them, but I want this job to look more factory.

I have seen an applied edge of some adhesive like material, but have no idea where to get it or what type of machine it would take to apply it-probably crushes the edges and saturates the fibers with goo!

You might be able to use a door edge molding, it is "C" shaped and had an adhesive stripe down the center!

If you are in driving distance of Savannah, you are welcome to come and give the serger a try.

WIll

[Bruce Palmer]

Several of the carpet outlets here had rolls of black automotive carpet. Picked the one I liked, cut the pieces, took 'em to an upholstery shop for binding & for like $75 the job was done.