STEP by STEP guide to Carpet Lining your Campervan – Arches to Roof !
Firstly, lets go over the materials you need to carpet line your van.
Here’s what you need:
- A good supply of High tempeture spray glue such as trimfix.
- 4-way stretch carpet liner.
- Plenty of latex gloves,
- A plastic straight edge for stretching and smoothing the carpet during application.
- A good strong Stanley knife, – with plenty of blades!
- Good Quality Insulation
1: Insulate the metal panels of the van and cover holes using strong duct or foil tape.
2: Fill the metal pillars with spray foam or fiberglass insulation. This will stop any cold bridging between the outside and inside and should help avoid damp spots.
** Option to install Plywood on to the insulation layer to make for a smoother carpet finish and achieve a better level of insulation. **
3: Spray glue the carpet lining and the bare metal with a generous layer of glue. Hold the carpet in place for about 30 seconds until the glue has set and begin to work the carpet into place by stretching across curves and working into corners.
4: You need to shape the carpet liner around the joints between panels and pillars,
If you plan on living in the van for an extended period, a warmer van is most definitely preferable!
1: Cutting the Felt / Carpet to size.
Start on a small panel to find your bearings – a good place to start is the back door.
Cut your carpet liner about 4 inches larger all around the door frame.
Once the liner is cut, rest the liner down on the floor or on a sheet of plywood.
The backside of the carpet liner is slightly harder and less fluffy!
Make sure it is facing backside up when placed on the floor.
2: Applying glue to your carpet liner.
Spray the back of the felt with a light layer of spray glue.
Use a smooth consistent back and over movement.
Overlap the spray slightly every time.
Now move on to the panel.
Spray the contact areas of the panel with a generous coating of spray glue using the same method of application.
3: Placing the carpet liner on the panel.
Start at the top of the panel.
Lift the liner up off the ground and let it hang freely.
Now press the liner against the top of the panel.
Hold in position for 30 seconds so that the glue begins to set slightly.
Once the liner is hanging on the panel with the glue,
Begin to rub the liner onto the panel from top to bottom, working your hand around the material to get rid of any wrinkles.
You can stretch the material and mold it around corners, always rubbing with your hand to fix the liner.
4: Cutting off excess carpet liner.
After the carpet is fixed correctly and all adjustments have been made, it’s time to remove the excess carpet liner.
Use a sharp Stanley blade to score the felt inside the edge of the door panel.
Make sure to leave a metal surface where the rubber door seal meets the door because the carpet will cause the seal to leak.
Repeat the same process on the larger panels.
For the larger panels you will not be able to spray the whole sheet of carpet before fitting it to the wall, you will have to hang the carpet at the top first.
Then spray glue each piece underneath while working it onto the wall of the van.
It is a tricky process, and you will need help if this is your first time.
Carpet lining a van with removeable panels.
1: Remove all the hardboard panels from the interior of the van.
2: Remove all the plastic fittings and screws.
3: Measure and cut the liner, leave 2 inches of excess liner around the edges.
4: Spray the surface of the panel with a generous covering of glue.
5: Spray the back of the liner with a light covering of glue.
6: Fit the felt liner to the hardboard panel and work it on with a smooth rubbing motion – work all the wrinkles out by rubbing, and stretching at the same time.
7: Fold the excess around the back of the panel and glue in place.
8: Punch a hole in through every fixing point.
Carpet lining the metal frames around the panels of your van:
1: Make sure you have all your insulation and wiring complete – you will not be able to access behind the pillars or through the access holes once the carpet is fitted.
2: Start at the top and work down – cut a strip for the top section, leaving enough to overlap the edges into the removable panel sections.
3: Spray a generous layer onto the metal.
4: Spray a light layer onto the back of the felt.
5: Stick one end to the metal surface and work your way along the liner to the other end.
6: Go over the felt again, stretch out the material to work out any wrinkles.
Carpet lining the roof of your van.
Carpet lining a campervan roof is a little harder, so you will need some help with this one!
1: Cut the liner with enough excess to allow for error and edging correctly.
2: Spray the ceiling with a generous layer of glue before fitting.
3: Start at the front end of the van and spray a light layer of glue to the back of the felt about 4″ wide.
4: Fix the front edge of the felt to the ceiling, holding it in place until it is set.
5: Now begin to work your way back along the ceiling – apply some glue to the back of the liner each time before you apply the liner.
6: Work the wrinkles out by stretching and rubbing at the same time.
How to carpet a wheel arch of your van.
1: When carpet lining a wheel arch, start in the middle and work your out – cut the liner leaving enough excess to allow for good coverage and folding under the panels.
2: Spray a generous layer of glue to the wheel arch first.
3: Spray a light layer on the back of the liner.
4: Work the liner into the crease in the center of the wheel arch.
5: Now start to rub from the center outwards, making sure you fix the carpet to the arch everywhere.
Remember, you can stretch the carpet to suit.
