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zippyslug31 Samba Member
Joined: July 20, 2007 Posts: 799 Location: Central Oregon
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Posted: Thu Jan 19, 2012 9:48 am Post subject: Any good replacements for carpet in westy living area? |
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My big, square carpet in the middle of the van is pretty stained and faded. I don't want to do the laminate floor idea; sticking with carpet. I'd love to find something with similar OEM attributes:
- rubber backed so it's fairly water resistant
- thin, yet heavy & flexible so it stays put
- removable for easy cleaning
Anybody have a good after market solution?
Anybody have one of these and how do they stack up against the OEM carpet:
http://www.gowesty.com/ec_view_details.php?id=4488&category_id=&category_parent_id=
thanks! _________________ previous:
'80 westy
current:
'90 syncro westy 2.5L subi, triple knob, 16" wheels.
'84 sunroof van, 2.1L motor. |
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pb24ss Samba Member
Joined: June 30, 2005 Posts: 1665 Location: sitting around the fire with the bluegrass band - colorado
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Posted: Thu Jan 19, 2012 9:59 am Post subject: |
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i got a large square rubber backed black floor mat at wally world. it's almost a perfect fit in my 1978 westy. all the mud and crap and dirt washes off easily and it drys quickly. i picked up a smaller one that i store under the larger one that i pull out and put outside the bus when camping. i don't know about the vanagon westy, but the late bay westy i have requires removing all the cabinets to take the carpet out. the mat was quick and easy and functional and looks nice. |
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PDXWesty Samba Member
Joined: April 11, 2006 Posts: 6247 Location: Portland OR
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Posted: Thu Jan 19, 2012 10:11 am Post subject: |
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The carpet GW sells is made by Sewfine. I've purchased carpets from them and they are OEM quality. You can also buy direct if you want. Call and they are very friendly people.
http://www.sewfineproducts.com/ _________________ 89 Westy 2.1 Auto |
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dubbified Samba Member
Joined: March 03, 2010 Posts: 1406 Location: Redmond, WA
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Posted: Thu Jan 19, 2012 10:21 am Post subject: |
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yea, I bought a kit from them.. had them add in 1/4 felt into the primary cargo area, and rear mat.
Sadly, I opted to find a rubber floor mat for the front section (OEM supply in some earlier models) and I sold the whole kit.
I'd decided carpet.. just wont do, I am goin to get it really, really dirty.
So, wood ply base in the cargo area, and Tarkett fiberfloor, something in the ambiente line, http://www.tarkettna.com/Default.aspx?tabid=79&sku=5636025
it will keep the vacuum need to a min.. |
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r39o Samba Polizei
Joined: May 18, 2005 Posts: 9800 Location: San Diego
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Posted: Thu Jan 19, 2012 10:27 am Post subject: |
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Two or three carpet options.
1. Leave the old and put a pre-made store bought (Walmart?) on top of the old.
2. Get a custom made "mat" to lay on top.
3. What I did was to get some similar carpet to replace the damaged piece and had binding added at a trim shop to finish it off. Looks like it belongs. _________________ "Use the SEARCH, Luke" But first visit the Vanagon FAQ!
1990 Multivan EJ 22, Rancho trans 0.82 4th, Small Car front AC, CLKs w/ 215/65-16, homemade big brakes 303mm, Konis, Recaros, etc....
Click to see my ads for Cup holders, Subaru clutch fix and CLK wheels (no wheels currently) |
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teej Samba Member
Joined: November 26, 2010 Posts: 897 Location: Seattle
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Posted: Thu Jan 19, 2012 10:33 am Post subject: |
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We bought the GW Berber carpet for our weekender 2 years ago. Quality and fit are excellent. Still in nice shape.
We also have an interlocking anti-fatigue mat underneath (Home Depot) and it makes the carpet very nice to kneel on when reaching in for stuff, adds quiet and insulation. We are a little careful with mud and snow, sometimes use an entry mat when it is nasty. _________________ 1986+ Wolfsburg Weekender Pop-Top 2.3 WBX Manual Trans |
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RCB Samba Member
Joined: September 05, 2005 Posts: 4143 Location: San Francisco-Bay Area
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Posted: Thu Jan 19, 2012 12:21 pm Post subject: |
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Why not just clean the carpet as good as it will get and then get one of the rubber mats that Bus Depot sells. I find that the fit is damn near perfect and they clean up real well. Check out the Bus Depot site...maybe Go-Westy has em too. |
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snuf Samba Member
Joined: April 15, 2008 Posts: 237 Location: TN
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Posted: Thu Jan 19, 2012 12:23 pm Post subject: |
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Try going to a couple of carpet stores and ask if they have any remnants of commercial grade carpet. Takes a lot of wear and tear. Usually you can get a good price on remnants.
I had gotten some to replace what was in my passenger area, wasn't exact, but was able to get color to blend in nicely with the rest of the interior. _________________ 1986 Wolfsberg Limited Edition Vanagon.
AKA: Poptop with rear corner cabinet, fold down side table, rear-facing jump seat and a 12v fridge/cooler. |
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rcook52459 Samba Member
Joined: August 24, 2011 Posts: 492 Location: PORTLAND ORE
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RCB Samba Member
Joined: September 05, 2005 Posts: 4143 Location: San Francisco-Bay Area
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Posted: Thu Jan 19, 2012 1:00 pm Post subject: |
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Yep, thats the one I was refering to. |
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zippyslug31 Samba Member
Joined: July 20, 2007 Posts: 799 Location: Central Oregon
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Posted: Thu Jan 19, 2012 1:18 pm Post subject: |
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RCB wrote: |
Why not just clean the carpet as good as it will get and then get one of the rubber mats that Bus Depot sells. I find that the fit is damn near perfect and they clean up real well. Check out the Bus Depot site...maybe Go-Westy has em too. |
I was thinking about cleaning it up and tossing a remnant down on top as somebody above suggested.
What are you suggesting/what have you done? You cleaned your carpet and then tossed the mat down on top? Why bother with the factory carpeting at all then? _________________ previous:
'80 westy
current:
'90 syncro westy 2.5L subi, triple knob, 16" wheels.
'84 sunroof van, 2.1L motor. |
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PDXWesty Samba Member
Joined: April 11, 2006 Posts: 6247 Location: Portland OR
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Posted: Thu Jan 19, 2012 1:32 pm Post subject: |
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snuf wrote: |
Try going to a couple of carpet stores and ask if they have any remnants of commercial grade carpet. Takes a lot of wear and tear. Usually you can get a good price on remnants.
I had gotten some to replace what was in my passenger area, wasn't exact, but was able to get color to blend in nicely with the rest of the interior. |
Carpet without a backing is like sandpaper. If you put it down on the rubber floor it will destroy the finish. Beware. _________________ 89 Westy 2.1 Auto |
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RCB Samba Member
Joined: September 05, 2005 Posts: 4143 Location: San Francisco-Bay Area
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Posted: Thu Jan 19, 2012 1:32 pm Post subject: |
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There was a carpet cleaner doing a house cleaning job nearby where I live and I paid em a few bucks to clean my cargo area carpet. Even though it came out way clean, I got one of those rubber mats a few months later. Its been a few years since I got the mat but it fits the space just like a glove....its a quality product....and the tan color kinda matches the brown interior of Madam Helga my 82 Westy. |
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Ahwahnee Samba Member
Joined: June 05, 2010 Posts: 9810 Location: Mt Lemmon, AZ
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Posted: Thu Jan 19, 2012 2:40 pm Post subject: |
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For years we used a thin indoor/outdoor carpet in that area -- carefully cut a thin carpet will tuck under the rear seat panel and can be secured under the metal trim along the slider. We added some thin wood moulding along the cabinets and front edge to fully secure it.
Now we have vinyl flooring secured in a similar fashion -- so much more practical as much of our camping is desert and beach and the vinyl sweeps clean in seconds.
In both cases store remnants were used -- really really cheap for the small piece you need. |
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snuf Samba Member
Joined: April 15, 2008 Posts: 237 Location: TN
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Posted: Thu Jan 19, 2012 3:58 pm Post subject: |
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PDXWesty wrote: |
snuf wrote: |
Try going to a couple of carpet stores and ask if they have any remnants of commercial grade carpet. Takes a lot of wear and tear. Usually you can get a good price on remnants.
I had gotten some to replace what was in my passenger area, wasn't exact, but was able to get color to blend in nicely with the rest of the interior. |
Carpet without a backing is like sandpaper. If you put it down on the rubber floor it will destroy the finish. Beware. |
Replacemet carpet has been in for several years. Had to pull it up recently to mount propane tank. Everything under carpet looked like it was when I installed it.
If the piece is just thrown down not secured and slides around everytime one gets in and out, then, yes it could Possibly abrade the rubber floor. _________________ 1986 Wolfsberg Limited Edition Vanagon.
AKA: Poptop with rear corner cabinet, fold down side table, rear-facing jump seat and a 12v fridge/cooler. |
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DAIZEE Samba Member
Joined: January 26, 2010 Posts: 7552 Location: Greater Toronto Area Ontario West Side
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Posted: Thu Jan 19, 2012 4:26 pm Post subject: |
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I put laminate in the main salon and it is so much easier than carpet to keep clean.
I removed the OEM (it looked awful and had years of rodent urine in it)front and centre and rear brown carpet, pressure washed it A LOT and it eventually dried and looked fresh and almost like new. Just a few weeks ago I removed it and hosed it down with hot water and let it air dry and like new again. _________________ '09 2.5L Jetta 5 cylinder, 5 spd, super turbo, see thread in H2O Cooled Jetta, etc...
83.5 Vanagon L Riviera Model with 98 1.9L TD AAZ 4 speed Daily Driver 3 out of 4 seasons (sold)
84 Vanagon GL Wolfsburg Westy WBX 4 speed (sold) |
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randywebb Samba Member
Joined: February 15, 2005 Posts: 3815 Location: Greater Metropolitan Nimrod, Orygun
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Posted: Thu Jan 19, 2012 4:47 pm Post subject: |
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Wilton Wool _________________ 1986 2.1L Westy 2wd Auto Trans. |
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pigryder Samba Member
Joined: January 17, 2012 Posts: 162 Location: south central PA
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Posted: Thu Jan 19, 2012 6:18 pm Post subject: |
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I wanted to stay carpet too but thought more about the way we were going to use stinky. I figured with the dog, lots of camping and outdoor activities a laminate floor would be the least maintenance.
_________________ 1982 Westfalia L Diesel "Stink"
1982 Vanagon GL Diesel "Charlie"
1983 Rabbit GTI a 20 year love affair
1988 Cabriolet diesel |
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chojinchef Samba Member
Joined: February 17, 2011 Posts: 1539 Location: Central Massachusetts
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Posted: Thu Jan 19, 2012 6:43 pm Post subject: |
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DAIZEE wrote: |
I put laminate in the main salon |
The main salon, I love it. Is the driver/passenger area the 'foyer'? _________________ Its a mistress; an expensive, whiney, needy bitch of a mistress. She is a chunky, dirty girl with bad skin, little motivation and yet she always makes me smile. She sure has been around before shacking up with me. She has a direct line to my wallet, plays with my emotions, is consistantly jovial yet with a sarcastic and sardonic side, is consistant in her inconsistancy, and every once in a while gives me a great ride and a fantastic memory. |
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DAIZEE Samba Member
Joined: January 26, 2010 Posts: 7552 Location: Greater Toronto Area Ontario West Side
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Posted: Fri Jan 20, 2012 3:30 pm Post subject: |
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Well I ride with the passenger seat facing aft and when I roost I put a leopard throw on it to match the back and curtains. That's my easy chair, so not the foyer for sure
I have blonde laminate but I'd prefer dark but with the blue inside and dark curtains, etc... blonde is probably better, Just use a damp cloth and it washed and vaccumed in a lick and a spit!!! The blue laminate came off the fridge so we "blonded" that too. Looks great! _________________ '09 2.5L Jetta 5 cylinder, 5 spd, super turbo, see thread in H2O Cooled Jetta, etc...
83.5 Vanagon L Riviera Model with 98 1.9L TD AAZ 4 speed Daily Driver 3 out of 4 seasons (sold)
84 Vanagon GL Wolfsburg Westy WBX 4 speed (sold) |
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