Re: Best glue for carpeting
The outdoor carpet adhesive from HomeDepot is great. Once it is fully cured, there is nothing going to separate it from the carpet or floor. Don't get it wet for at least 5 days after installing.
I just re-did my fiberglass floor this summer. Ripped out the old flooring and very quickly (36grit flap disk on an angle grinder) ground off some of the worst ridges of old adhesive and any loose flakey stuff. Vacuumed it thoroughly then washed/scrubbed with a solution of TSP and hot water. Rinsed well with clean water and let dry.
Did all the pre-fitting and cutting to size first, then folded the carpet over in half. Spread out the glue according to instructions then waited about 15min to let it "tack up" a little. Had to do this because my carpeting extends up the sides of the boat as well, and if I just layed the carpet right away it would just fall away from the vertical sides. Don't let the glue skin over, it has to have a wet surface.
Layed the carpet back down and rolled firmly into place. The rolling is an important step. You have to spread the glue into the fibers of the carpet backing. Repeated the same procedure for the last half of the carpet.
Be VERY careful not to any glue on the 'good' side of the carpet. In my experience, it is impossible to remove even though the instructions say fresh spills can be cleaned up with warm soapy water. The only thing I found that really works is "Goof Off" solvent after the glue has dried. If you try to remove spilled glue when wet, all it does is spread it around in a larger area.
I used the same product and technique 5 years ago when installing carpeting on new trailer bunks. Carpet was glued to pressure treated 2x4's and is just as stuck today as it was 5 years ago.
