How to Install Carpet in a Bass Boat
Spend enough time fishing or relaxing on the lake in your bass boat during warm summer months and your carpet will begin to show wear and tear. Exposure to water rots the wooden flooring of bass boats, but if you replace the carpeting when it wears out, you can extend the life of your boat. Whether you purchased a used bass boat or wore out the carpet in your new one, you can restore the carpet and return your bass boat to like-new condition.
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Things You'll Need
- Sheetrock blade
- Chemical-resistant gloves
- Acetone
- Vacuum
- Damp cloth
- Carpet
- Paint brush or trowel
- Spray adhesive or glue
- Rolling pin
- Black marker
- Contact cement
- Phillips screwdriver
- Carpet knife
Instructions
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1
Remove all screws, bolts, fixtures, compartment lids, handles and old carpet from the boat deck. Put the small pieces in plastic bags to keep from losing them.
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2
Scrape all glue from the deck and compartment lids using a sheet-rock blade. This may take more than one pass to remove the adhesive. Acetone aids in adhesive removal, but take caution to wear gloves that are chemical resistant. Further, clean the area by vacuuming dust and removing debris jarred lose by scraping. Wipe down area with a damp cloth.
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3
Cut the carpet to size beginning with the deck. Leave a little extra to allow for trimming. Notice the grain on the back of the carpet. All grain must go in the same direction once the carpet is in place.
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4
Apply glue or spray adhesive evenly to the surface, working one section at a time. Glue can be applied with either a brush or a trowel.
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5
Position the carpet on the adhesive. Work a rolling pin from the center out to the edges, leaving an inch extra at the edges for trimming.
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6
Run a Phillips screwdriver along the edge. This will work the carpet into the corners and create a crease for trimming.
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7
Cut along the edges with a carpet knife at a 45-degree angle. Take care not to cut the carpet too short and leave a gap exposing the wood.
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8
Put the compartment lids on the upside-down carpet with grain positioned in the same direction as the deck. Using a black marker, draw around each lid allowing an extra 1½ inches on all sides for trimming.
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9
Apply contact cement to the compartment lid and place it on the carpet backing upside-down. Once the adhesive begins to set, cut a 90-degree-angle piece from each corner and wrap the carpet around the edges, securing it with contact cement.
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10
Run a Phillips screwdriver around the edges. Cut along the crease at a 45-degree angle with a sharp carpet knife.
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11
Cut space into the carpet for hatch pulls and handles. Replace all compartment lids and fixtures after adhesive dries.
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Tips & Warnings
If any hardware is old, rusted or bent, replace pieces during reassembly.
Take caution when using acetone. Do not let it come in contact with your skin. Make sure work area is well-ventilated.
References
- Photo Credit bass boat repair 01 image by Joyce Wilkes from Fotolia.com
