How to Glue Down Carpet in a Jon Boat
New marine carpet for the floor of your jon boat will definitely increase the value of your boat, but most importantly, it will increase the safety of your jon boat. As we are only human, when we try to walk on water, we have a tendency to slip. New marine carpeting on the floor of your jon boat can help prevent people from falling on wet, slippery spots. You can install new marine carpet in your jon boat in a single afternoon.
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Things You'll Need
- Marine carpet
- Metal putty knife
- Craw hammer
- Coarse-grit sandpaper
- Palm sander
- Shop vacuum
- Broom (optional)
- Dust pan (optional)
- Detergent
- Electric hot knife
- Sheet (optional)
- Double-stick duct tape
- Marker (optional)
- Scissors (optional)
- Marine carpet adhesive
- Notched trowel
Instructions
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1
Purchase your carpeting. Obtain only marine carpet to be sure the carpet is sufficiently resistant to moisture and ultraviolet rays.
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2
Unroll the carpet and lay it out flat, top side down, preferably on a clean driveway, to reduce the curves and increase malleability.
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3
Remove the old carpet from the jon boat. Attempt to keep the carpet intact, as you will use it for a template to cut the new carpet later. Begin in a corner and pull the carpet up. Use a large metal putty knife or the claw end of a hammer to help you pull up the carpet in one piece.
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4
Remove the old dried glue residue from the boat floor. Scrape off what you can with a putty knife. Use coarse-grit sandpaper and a palm sander to remove any stubborn glue that remains.
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5
Vacuum with a shop vacuum or sweep thoroughly with a broom and dustpan. Clean the floor with a solution of 1 ounce of liquid detergent to 1 gallon of warm water. Rinse with clear water and allow it to dry.
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6
Spread out the old carpet on top of the new carpet, with both carpets top-side-down. Cut the new carpet with an electric hot knife, which will seal the edges. If your boat was not previously carpeted, spread out an old sheet in the bottom of the boat to use as a template for cutting the new carpet. Hold the sheet in place with double-stick duct tape, if necessary. Mark the outer edges of the carpet line with a marker, and cut out the shape with scissors. Place the sheet on top of the new carpet and use it as a guide to cut the new carpet to fit.
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Set the new marine carpet in place. Tack it down temporarily with double-stick duct tape on one side of the jon boat. Lift up the carpet on the other side, flipping it upside-down over the top of the temporarily tacked side. Apply marine carpet adhesive using a notched trowel. Set the carpet back in place. Smooth the carpet from the middle of the boat toward the sides with your hands and feet to work out any air bubbles. Allow the adhesive to dry. Remove the double-stick duct tape and repeat the process on the other side.
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Vacuum the carpet.
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Tips & Warnings
Prevent mold by avoiding carpet seams, which will eventually allow water under the carpet. Choose a carpet large enough to cover the whole area.
Use extreme caution when operating an electric hot knife. An electric hot knife will normally reach a minimum of 450 degrees Fahrenheit. Never leave an electric hot knife unattended, and keep it out of the reach of children.
References
- Photo Credit Thomas Northcut/Photodisc/Getty Images
