Installing carpet, how to "cut in place" without damage?

[tmh]

OK, I'm REALLY needing to get my boat fron storage and get the floor put back in and finish it up! I'm just ticking off some "how to" details now so I'm all ready to have at it when spring comes.

Carpet install: I know some say "skip the carpet" but I'm putting it back in to match the carpet on the sides, seat boxes, etc. I've read all about how to do it and I'm pretty sure i have it down, no big deal. However, the very final step concerns be a tad bit - I'll basically have the "rough cut" carpet laid in the boat, now I have to take an Exacto (sp?) knife and trim in place around the perimiter. Easy enough..but....won't the exacto knife be using the boat floor as a backing to cut the carpet? Won't that basically "score" the fiberglass/plywood around the perimiter and give water an easy way to get to the plywood?

Yes, a minor detail, but one I'm wondering about! Thanks.

 

[Bondo]

Re: Installing carpet, how to

Re: Installing carpet, how to

Use Scissors............

 

[hard-3]

Re: Installing carpet, how to

Re: Installing carpet, how to

get a carpet blade for your utility knife,rough cut to shape, put down your adhesive, I use an outdoor carpet adhesive from Lowes, (note: make sure you have enough adhesive before you start, get extra, you can always return it) roll back half of the carpet on it's self, to spread adhesive with a notched trowel or plastic notched spreader. Roll carpet over adhesive , spreading out all wrinkles and stretching to edges. Lift carpet a little and trim with razor blade carpet knife to fit. press down firmly, repeat for other side. It's not as hard as it seems to be. My Cobalt has some areas that are not held down with trim, so I had to roll the edge into a groove in the deck with a chisel to hide the cut edgein the groove. Once the adhesive sets up place any screws and trim in place to hold down the edges. I took about an hour to do my 24 ft Cobalt 223, The Mrs. says it looks "awsome" so I guess thats all that counts anyways!
Jeff

 

[tmh]

Re: Installing carpet, how to

Re: Installing carpet, how to

So I trim it with nothing behind it? Just kind up off the deck a few inches held in hand? WITH adhesive already down? OK, it's only a 19' BR so not all that much edge work anyhow. Most has cover-up trim also, if I recall (I need to visit my boat in storage, I miss it!).

I have the old carpet i ripped out still so I can use that for a rough cut, just an inch or so bigger for the new one then trim in place.

Thanks, that takes one more job I'll be doing for the first time on my Spring to-do list off the "worry list".

 

[tmh]

Re: Installing carpet, how to "cut in place" without damage?

Re: Installing carpet, how to "cut in place" without damage?

I've got my boat ready for the water after re=doing the floor/etc. during the off-season. Just going thru some threads where i asked questions and updating them so folks who helped me out know the outcome.

This one about carpets proved just as hard-3 had said.... not as tough as i thought it would be. I followed the advise and it turned out very nice! Makes the whole boat seem new again!

Thanks again for the help!