really nice
DIY ITR Blue/Red Carpet; OEM Quality, Cheap, and Easy! UPDATE on WEAR 6/30
19
Hello all,
There's nothing fancy or "new" about this DIY, but I just thought I's share my experience with this project, as I think it came out really well.
I had considered the DIY felt carpet project, but then began brainstorming of ways of an even higher-quality alternative that didn't cost that much more.
What's needed for this project:
1. An RSX Titanium carpet (light titanium preferred, though dark titanium may work).
2. Degreaser in a spray bottle; diluted.
2b. Woolite/H20 mix (optional but recommended; see below)
3. Nylon Scrub Brush
4. Gloves
5. Drop Cloth
6. (5) cans of Duplicolor Vinyl & Carpet Spray; Used here: Part # HVP102 "Tuner" or "Vinyl" Blue
I bought the carpet from a salvage yard, used and in pretty rough shape!
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- Step One: Cleaning. I took the carpet down to the gas station to give it a good vacuum. Then cleaned it with water and degreaser, then let it dry over night and through the next day in the hot sun. You MUST do this step. The idea is to get the carpet all to be as uniform in color as possible.
Process I used for cleaning: (after vacuuming) work in sections, spray a section of the carpet with water; liberally spray on your degreaser from the spray bottle; spray some more water on that section to get the degreaser solution nice and sudsy; scrub the heck out of the section with your nylon brush, use your hand to really get the stuff in there; scrub some more; rinse that section off with water making sure the dirty water/grease runs of the carpet and doesn't stay on any part of the carpet (just like washing your car!); go to the next section and repeat process until the whole carpet is done; while a bit of overkill, I did one more full round but with a woolite/H20 solution. this gives the carpet a fresh smell and kills off any old odors; after all panels are cleaned: one more good water rinse all around, drench it good; hang to dry with the carpet oriented in a way that the water runs off very well. If you have pets like I do, hang it up high!
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- Step Two: Time to paint/dye the carpet! Apply your first coat. Notice I just went for sparse coverage the first go around. Spray in light even coats, brushing with the scrub brush to prevent the carpet from feeling "stiff". Tip: Scrub while the carpet is still wet. Only spray small (2x2') sections of the carpet at a time, to ensure you scrub before the paint dries.
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- Another tip: make sure to raise up the molded curves/corners and spray them so that you don't miss any creased spots.
- Step Three: Apply 2nd and 3rd (final) coats. BAM! A nice ITR-esque blue carpet.
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- Step Four: Hang up in the sun for a couple more hours to help kill the smell of the spray.
- Step Five (optional but recommended): Spray the whole carpet liberally with Febreeze. Let dry/de-stink overnight.
- Step Six: Put back in the car and enjoy!
- Step Seven (optional): Sell your black carpet and make your $$$ back (and possibly more):thumbsup:
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UPDATE #1: Pics Installed! D
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...and a pic of my new alcantra stuff, all blue-stitched.
The shift knob is an ebay special (s2K replica). I DIY blue-stitched it and painted the letters blue with model paint to match.
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With Seats in the car (not bolted down yet).
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UPDATE #2: Floor Mats in RED Duplicolor (courtesy of CRSX member SemperFi530, thanks dude!)...
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UPDATE #3: My DIY on Blue Floor Mats and Debadging (removing the RSX logo)
http://forums.clubrsx.com/showthread.php?t=829556&highlight=
Some Pics of the blue mats:
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UPDATE #4: 3 months later and NO signs of wear to report on the main carpet! Little wear spot on the mats near the seat, where I rest my feet on longer trips. However, I'll just tough it up occasionally with the Duplicolor spray. No biggy. Carpet is very subtle, NO hints of stiffness whatsoever. Looks OEM. Friends of all different types (car guys, non-car guys) compliment me on the interior, saying it looks OEM, like it came that way from the factory. NO REGRETS! Would do again! :thumbsup::thumbsup:
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The trick is in using the Titanium color-coded carpet. It's lighter color makes for the perfect color base. Since it's not stark-white in color, it tames down the mega-bright "Tuner Blue" paint just the right amount, making for a really nice OEM-like color.
The other trick involved is the nylon brush. Make sure you don't skip this step! This keeps the carpet supple and avoids any stiffness. You will brush nearly as much as you spray, so don't be lazy in this key area.
Hope you guys enjoy and can make some use of this! Let me know what you think.
-Dan
There's nothing fancy or "new" about this DIY, but I just thought I's share my experience with this project, as I think it came out really well.
I had considered the DIY felt carpet project, but then began brainstorming of ways of an even higher-quality alternative that didn't cost that much more.
What's needed for this project:
1. An RSX Titanium carpet (light titanium preferred, though dark titanium may work).
2. Degreaser in a spray bottle; diluted.
2b. Woolite/H20 mix (optional but recommended; see below)
3. Nylon Scrub Brush
4. Gloves
5. Drop Cloth
6. (5) cans of Duplicolor Vinyl & Carpet Spray; Used here: Part # HVP102 "Tuner" or "Vinyl" Blue
I bought the carpet from a salvage yard, used and in pretty rough shape!
- Step One: Cleaning. I took the carpet down to the gas station to give it a good vacuum. Then cleaned it with water and degreaser, then let it dry over night and through the next day in the hot sun. You MUST do this step. The idea is to get the carpet all to be as uniform in color as possible.
Process I used for cleaning: (after vacuuming) work in sections, spray a section of the carpet with water; liberally spray on your degreaser from the spray bottle; spray some more water on that section to get the degreaser solution nice and sudsy; scrub the heck out of the section with your nylon brush, use your hand to really get the stuff in there; scrub some more; rinse that section off with water making sure the dirty water/grease runs of the carpet and doesn't stay on any part of the carpet (just like washing your car!); go to the next section and repeat process until the whole carpet is done; while a bit of overkill, I did one more full round but with a woolite/H20 solution. this gives the carpet a fresh smell and kills off any old odors; after all panels are cleaned: one more good water rinse all around, drench it good; hang to dry with the carpet oriented in a way that the water runs off very well. If you have pets like I do, hang it up high!
- Step Two: Time to paint/dye the carpet! Apply your first coat. Notice I just went for sparse coverage the first go around. Spray in light even coats, brushing with the scrub brush to prevent the carpet from feeling "stiff". Tip: Scrub while the carpet is still wet. Only spray small (2x2') sections of the carpet at a time, to ensure you scrub before the paint dries.
- Another tip: make sure to raise up the molded curves/corners and spray them so that you don't miss any creased spots.
- Step Three: Apply 2nd and 3rd (final) coats. BAM! A nice ITR-esque blue carpet.
- Step Four: Hang up in the sun for a couple more hours to help kill the smell of the spray.
- Step Five (optional but recommended): Spray the whole carpet liberally with Febreeze. Let dry/de-stink overnight.
- Step Six: Put back in the car and enjoy!
- Step Seven (optional): Sell your black carpet and make your $$$ back (and possibly more):thumbsup:
---------------------------------------------------------
UPDATE #1: Pics Installed! D
...and a pic of my new alcantra stuff, all blue-stitched.
The shift knob is an ebay special (s2K replica). I DIY blue-stitched it and painted the letters blue with model paint to match.
With Seats in the car (not bolted down yet).
UPDATE #2: Floor Mats in RED Duplicolor (courtesy of CRSX member SemperFi530, thanks dude!)...
UPDATE #3: My DIY on Blue Floor Mats and Debadging (removing the RSX logo)
http://forums.clubrsx.com/showthread.php?t=829556&highlight=
Some Pics of the blue mats:
UPDATE #4: 3 months later and NO signs of wear to report on the main carpet! Little wear spot on the mats near the seat, where I rest my feet on longer trips. However, I'll just tough it up occasionally with the Duplicolor spray. No biggy. Carpet is very subtle, NO hints of stiffness whatsoever. Looks OEM. Friends of all different types (car guys, non-car guys) compliment me on the interior, saying it looks OEM, like it came that way from the factory. NO REGRETS! Would do again! :thumbsup::thumbsup:
---------
The trick is in using the Titanium color-coded carpet. It's lighter color makes for the perfect color base. Since it's not stark-white in color, it tames down the mega-bright "Tuner Blue" paint just the right amount, making for a really nice OEM-like color.
The other trick involved is the nylon brush. Make sure you don't skip this step! This keeps the carpet supple and avoids any stiffness. You will brush nearly as much as you spray, so don't be lazy in this key area.
Hope you guys enjoy and can make some use of this! Let me know what you think.
-Dan
1 - 20 of 164 Posts
Not really. Hardly noticeable. The trick is in using the nylon brush just after you spray.
Even if it is a tad bit crunchy, keep in mind these pro's:
1. Hella better/cleaner than aftermarket carpet or other alternatives.
2. When do you really ever touch/become affected by the feel of your floor carpet?
3. USDM LHD molded carpet; so no need to modify a RHD carpet from overseas to mate up with your LHD chassis.
4. Brilliant/Bold coloring; not tired and faded blue like used JDM ITR carpets.
5. The whole thing will costs $35 and a few hours of time.
6. Easy; anyone can do it (obviously, if I can, ha!)
imp
2
Update on the SEM red: I certianly cannot endorse it at this point.
The SEM paint behaved very differently. It laid on very thin, was all blotchy sticking on my nylon brush (not staying on carpet). It was a hot mess.
I'm wondering how the Duplicolor hot red would do on this titanium carpet?! Anyone want to PP me $7 for a can so I can try some on the last patch of grey on my "practice carpet"?!
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For now, here's the best "in car" pic I can offer, ha! Sorry, rain on the way. Work tomorrow. It will be Tuesday at the earliest before I can tackle the install.
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Back in touch soon. -Dan
The SEM paint behaved very differently. It laid on very thin, was all blotchy sticking on my nylon brush (not staying on carpet). It was a hot mess.
I'm wondering how the Duplicolor hot red would do on this titanium carpet?! Anyone want to PP me $7 for a can so I can try some on the last patch of grey on my "practice carpet"?!
For now, here's the best "in car" pic I can offer, ha! Sorry, rain on the way. Work tomorrow. It will be Tuesday at the earliest before I can tackle the install.
Back in touch soon. -Dan
1 - 20 of 164 Posts
