Carpet lining advice?

[spencenpc]

Hi guys - very new to this forum so would be really grateful for any help with carpet lining. I've had a look through some of the threads and seems some of you guys are very handy DIY - i'm... less so Really don't want to bodge it myself so thought there must be people that do this full time.
Do any of you have any recommendations for places that can carry our full lining services on a mk7? Seems to be a lot of vw specialists out there but i'm struggling to find anyone south of Doncaster that does transits - any ideas or past experiences with people?

Thanks in advance for any help

[Beaker]

You will strggle to find anyone anywhere willing to tackle anything other than a VW - the demand is so high for VW's that they can do them full time and know what they are dealing with every time. You can ask, but don't be suprised if they refuse to work on a Transit. If they do say yes, expect to pay a small fortune for it.

Having said that, carpeting is actually suprisingly easy and well within anyone's ability.

Use Easyliner carpet from Harrison's Trim Supplies, Mega Van Mats or any of the other suppliers, and fix it with Trimfix spray contact adhesive. Easyliner is extremely light weight and very stretchy (without being elastic) so you can really easily get it to conform to the most awkward contours. The Trimfix sticks so well that once you press the carpet into place, it's not going anywhere.

All you need is a good pair of scissors and a Stanley knife. Get a couple of packs of curved (not the lino hook shaped) blades - they work MUCH better for trimming the carpet than standard straight blades.

Any Trimfix overspray easily cleans off anyhing and everything with White Spirit.

[hectors-tranny]

As above, if you do decide to do it yourself, make life easy by choosing a highly flexible carpet and decent adhesive. I used this company, who also sell off EBay, and sell whatever quantity you need with the right amount of spray adhesive. The adhesive is top quality and totally temperature stable (vans get hot and you don't want it falling off!) Having used crappy adhesive in the past, this stuff is a class apart. Go for the mega stretch - which as its name suggest is highly flexible. I used their other product - Trim Velour - as I wanted a specific colour. This is less flexible, but still easy enough to fit. And just think things through in advance and take your time.

http://www.megavanmats.com/apps/webstor ... how/298422

[mistericeman]

I second the Veltrim easyfit...

I'm hopeless at trimming BUT even I have managed a half way acceptable job (imho)

I've used some contract carpet on the bulkhead as a contrast.







Take your time.... glue on the wall only until happy you have allowed enough material (easy to pull material back off and adjust at this point)
Then lightly spray fabric as well for final glueing.
Plenty of sharp Stanley knife blades as they blunt for fun.

[Beaker]

Here's the link for Harrison's Trim Supplies:

http://www.harrisonstrimsupplies.co.uk/

They sell the Veltrim and the Easyliner as well as Trimfix spray adhesive. Easyliner is supposed to be the easier of the two for a DIYer, Veltrim is the Pro's choice.

John Harrison is unbelievably generous with advice, so if you have any queires, phone and ask - he will happily tell you everything you need to know.


These are the type of Stanley knife blades I'm on about:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/50-X-STANLEY- ... nQemNfwEVg

They are far better than the normal straight edge blades for carpet use.

As mistericeman says, the carpet is quite abrasive when being cut - it will quickly blunt blades, so swap blades as soon as it stops slicing through the carpet and starts tearing it instead.

[dumper]

Try http://www.weconvertvans.co.uk/

[spencenpc]

You will strggle to find anyone anywhere willing to tackle anything other than a VW - the demand is so high for VW's that they can do them full time and know what they are dealing with every time. You can ask, but don't be suprised if they refuse to work on a Transit. If they do say yes, expect to pay a small fortune for it.

Having said that, carpeting is actually suprisingly easy and well within anyone's ability.

Use Easyliner carpet from Harrison's Trim Supplies, Mega Van Mats or any of the other suppliers, and fix it with Trimfix spray contact adhesive. Easyliner is extremely light weight and very stretchy (without being elastic) so you can really easily get it to conform to the most awkward contours. The Trimfix sticks so well that once you press the carpet into place, it's not going anywhere.

All you need is a good pair of scissors and a Stanley knife. Get a couple of packs of curved (not the lino hook shaped) blades - they work MUCH better for trimming the carpet than standard straight blades.

Any Trimfix overspray easily cleans off anyhing and everything with White Spirit.

Ok - thanks for that info!! will check out those suppliers - thanks

[spencenpc]

Thanks guys - that all sounds great - makes me feel a lot better about having a go - will get in touch with the suggestions and go from there - appreciate that - sure i'll have more questions in the future - will post my results in a few weeks lol!!

[Beaker]

You'll be fine. I had never done anything like this before either and was just as nervous as you are about tackling it.

So yes, if you have any more questions, just ask.

[GuyT]

I back everything Beaker said and also spoke to and bought from Harrisons.

Just a note, if you can, do the work in a well ventilated garage or something because the cans of 'Trimfix' state 'Cancer causing' or something to that effect!!!!! I have completed my conversion (upto now) in the back alley and kitchen of the flat (which hasn't been ideal)

The easyliner and trimfix is really easy to work with and everyone who has any interest, or has watched any progress on your van suddenly thinks your a legend when the 'carpet' goes in

Good luck

[spencenpc]

Thanks again guys - will order the stuff and see how i get on - it's got its new wheels today and hopefully its new bodykit next week Appreciate the help

[666legin]

Not sure if it helps but I have kitted many types of vans over the years for all sorts of uses. latest have been sleep over Abnormal Load escort vans.

Link to my company face book,

https://www.facebook.com/pg/CGenterpris ... tab=albums

I am not trying to sell my services but I can offer any advice needed on the best way to have a go at doing it yourself or you are welcome to come and see me for help.

[JayKay3000]

I'm slowly learning that once you get over the fear that you can't do it, you usually find that you can do it. I know, sometimes you need specialist tools which can hinder mechanical work. I've got to do some flooring in my van and I've never carpeted nothing! But without taking over the OPs thread I've looking into what I need, getting the measurements and doing some planning before parting with the money. It's then a case of finding the time (hardest bit) and then gradually doing it and accepting that you may make a couple of mistakes.

Plan what you want to do
Make sure you have the correct tools / adhesives
Make sure you have enough material
Free up a weekend, start it on a Saturday so that if it goes wrong you have Sunday to recover or finish.

The key is not to panic and do it slowly and methodically. Also, by using advice from this website and even a few others you'll get an idea from people of how they did it and we can all learn from each others mistakes. Sometimes 'experts' can end up doing a worse job than if you did it yourself.

And.. 666legin. Love that conversion!

[Campervan Handyman]

Glad I just read this post and replies..... saves me posting the same topic in a few weeks lol

Thanks everyone for your contributions..... appreciated

[mikecustomcamper]

Hi

I used a place in Congleton called LowLife for my MK8, they charged me no more than they would for a VW and there work was spot on.

They specialise in pop tops on VWs and they couldnt have been more helpful when i turned up out the blue with a MK8 and told them the transit was a better van and T5's are for the brain washed many who like to pay Volkswagen tax!