Replacing carpet on alluminum gunwales?

acarter92

Petty Officer 2nd Class
Joined
Dec 25, 2011
Messages
198
Well, I just bought an 89 "Blue Fin" 17' sportsman fish n' ski alluminum. I'm getting ready to replace the carpet on the gunwales and front deck. It's about 6"-8" wide and goes all the way around, covers both consoles, and a small deck on the front. I'm looking at the cabelas "Deluxe" Marine carpet for the job. The problem I'm having is what glue I should get, the stuff that cabelas sells has horrible reviews. I'm going to be glueing the carpet directly to bare alluminum, what glue should I use? Any specific brands? This is quite a job, remove all the trim work, lights, hardware, windshield, and dash boards. So I don't want to have to do it twice, at least not any time soon.

Thanks in advance,
Austin
 

Fireman431

Rear Admiral
Joined
Sep 17, 2007
Messages
4,292
Re: Replacing carpet on alluminum gunwales?

Try this:

http://www.pontoonstuff.com/marine-boat-carpet-glue.aspx

Follow the instructions closely. Aluminum will need to be sanded to remove residue and oxidation and then wiped with a solvent prior to the application. Most are 2 part applications. Spray to the boat and the back of carpet & wait till tacky, then apply.
 

5150abf

Vice Admiral
Joined
Aug 12, 2007
Messages
5,808
Re: Replacing carpet on alluminum gunwales?

I used outdoor carpet glue I got at Lowes and it worked pretty good, I didn't try it on aluminum, only wood but it seemed really tacky and should work.

The stuff Fireman put should be alot bettet though so I think I would go with that.
 

Georgesalmon

Lieutenant Commander
Joined
Apr 14, 2012
Messages
1,793
Re: Replacing carpet on alluminum gunwales?

I have used weldwood contact cement for many years in my boats with no problems. Manufacturers I worked for also use contact cement.
 

jigngrub

Fleet Admiral
Joined
Mar 19, 2011
Messages
8,155
Re: Replacing carpet on alluminum gunwales?

Weldwood contact cement, the kind that comes in the can.

One coat on the aluminum and 2 coats on the carpet.
 

ezmobee

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Mar 26, 2007
Messages
23,767
Re: Replacing carpet on alluminum gunwales?

I never understood having carpet on the gunwales.
 
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