'68 Carpet Underlayment

[Joel K.]

I just went through the archives looking for info on the proper way to install carpet underlayment in a '68, but didn't find what I was seeking. I bought the jute underlayment with the black "tar paper" like material bonded to it, and the material came with absolutely no instructions, diagrams, etc. Called the supplier and they said the underlayment is installed with the black surface down, but some posts in the archives made it sound like the black should be up. Since the car I'm working on had all interior stuff already removed, I have no clue as to whether it goes on with the black surface down on the floor pan or up so the carpet gets glued to it. Thanks in advance for any information!

[Joel K.]

Re: '68 Carpet Underlayment

Wow! 20 views as of 9:15 pm tonight and no replies!!! Doesn't anyone out there have any thoughts on the subject? Most unusual for the NCRS Tech Forum!! Help!!!!

[Mike G.]

Re: '68 Carpet Underlayment

On my '65, the jute was glued to the floor, making the removal process a fuzzy mess.

[Joel K.]

Re: '68 Carpet Underlayment

Mike,

Thanks for the reply. The carpet and underlayment on the car I'm doing was already long gone, so at least I didn't have to deal with the removal. On the other hand, no old material to use as a guideline for fitting the new stuff!

[Patrick H.]

Re: '68 Carpet Underlayment

I've seen a couple of different arrangements.

On a 1970 350 4 speed with AC, there was a very thick (1/8" or more) tar-paper like insulation that lay directly on the fiberglass.

Over that was a jute-and-rubber pad. The j-&-r pad had the jute down, the rubber up, and the carpet glued directly to the rubber. I still have this pad and use it as reference when installing carpet in vehicles.

I've worked on other cars that did NOT have the thick tar paper-like insulation on the floor under the jute. I do not know the specifics of when and where it was used, just that some used it.

Patrick

[Joel K.]

Re: '68 Carpet Underlayment

Patrick,

Thanks very much for your reply and info. I believe I'll go ahead and glue in the underlayment I have jute down, black surface up. Clearly like so many restoration-related issues, there's no clear-cut one answer fits all solution. Time to pick a method and press on.

Joel