I'm in need of sources for carpet yardage. The carpet I was planning on using is no longer available for yardage sales, only pre-made carpet sets,that I can not use.
I appreciate any responses.
Thanks,
John
Did you try any local or next big city Upholstery supply shop? I find every online source is more expensive than actually finding a local Mom and Pop upholstery supply and getting it from them directly. The price is almost double online for everything.
I got mine years ago from Sunbelt Fabrics in Arlington, Texas. Does your son still live down that way? Arlington is between Fort Worth and Dallas
Here's a link to my install. Read the posts below the pic for some hints.
https://57fordsforever.com/smf/index.php?topic=3518.msg21046#msg21046
Rich, thanks for the SunBelt tip........I'll be in Ft.Worth next week, and will stop by Sunbelt.
Thanks
John
Great timing. If you don't have a local upholstery supply shop, you may want to pick up a gallon of Landau roof contact cement.........assuming you're doing a glue-down. I have found the 3/8 felt w/ foil underlayment over the foil-faced rubber sound deadner is very effective keeping out heat. If you can find the 3/8 foil-faced pad, the trick to installing is separating the foil from the felt after you have the shape roughly cut out. Left stuck together, it will not conform to our floorplans (especially the rear footwells, which I know you don't have). I assume/hope Sunbelt is still in business.
Going to watch this for leads. On a side note how you get 'non Ford carpet' to conform to the floor? Glue/heat gun? I will be installing temp carpet and deadener/heat ins. at some point-hopefully this summer.
Mike
Mike, I addressed your question already in the link I added a few post back (#3). read the thread the link brings you too, but it will not help you out if the carpet you pick is a normal backed like a house carpet. The carpet I picked is made for applications like our floorplans. The backing is not solid, but has about a 1/4" "chicken wire" look. Sorry, don't have a piece to post a pic of.
I think you would have to cut and sew darts and angles into the carpet for the dropped areas. Hence the "Cut and sew" I been dabbling in upholstery work on a older home sewing machine using heavy duty needles and upholstery threads, its tough but doable. I did some vinyl work for the convertible trimming and going onto sun visors edge trim which will be about 4 layers of heavier upholstery fabric.
Doing all this before I try to achieve 57 Fairlane inspired door cards for my Hardtop. I cant bare to pay the $$$$ and wait for SMS long wait stories.
If the Carpet Rich talking about is so flexible it might be the way to go. I have only see the one with the heavier plastic.
Ask Gary...he does all his own sewing and is a master.
As Rich pointed out, my Ranchero has flat floors. The FootWells behind the front seat area were rusted through, so a flat floor replaced the footwells. My Ranchero has a full length console, so the carpet installation should be easy.
I should add, that I won't be the one installing the carpet. A friend is an outstanding upholstery man (he did cars for Boyd Coddington), and he will be doing the interior.
I can tell you that he uses a professional steamer on the carpet to make it conform to odd shapes
John
well that all makes a little diference, lol. My mistake for assuming.
Let us know what you find at Sunbelt. I haven't been there for a decade.
If I still had an 'outstanding upholstery man' friend, I'd be asking him. Masters in the game know the materials, where to get them (solvent venders with inventory and prompt delivery) and how to beat things into submission when things go wrong (and they usually do). Flat floors and center console are pluses for easier installs. I use steam but cutting and seaming will also be required. Some sew the seams and some use seam tape. I also have a binding attachment for my sewing machine so I can finish exposed edges. From a Mark Twain book, I invite you to install carpet in the '65 Galaxie. I'll supervise, of course!
So there is this place I go to because it's really local to me, but the other one is Lee's Upholstery it bit out from me.
But i think veterans is set up to ship.
Veteran's upholstery supply (https://www.google.com/search?q=vetrans+upholstery&rlz=1C1GCEJ_enUS1029US1029&oq=vetrans+&gs_lcrp=EgZjaHJvbWUqBggAEEUYOzIGCAAQRRg7MgwIARAAGAoYsQMYgAQyBggCEEUYOTIPCAMQABgKGIMBGLEDGIAEMgkIBBAAGAoYgAQyGAgFEC4YChiDARjHARixAxjJAxjRAxiABDIJCAYQABgKGIAEMhUIBxAuGAoYgwEYxwEYsQMY0QMYgAQyDQgIEAAYkgMYgAQYigUyDAgJEAAYChixAxiABNIBCDE5MjBqMGo3qAIAsAIA&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8)
Quote from: gasman826 on 2025-01-07 10:01If I still had an 'outstanding upholstery man' friend, I'd be asking him. Masters in the game know the materials, where to get them (solvent venders with inventory and prompt delivery) and how to beat things into submission when things go wrong (and they usually do). Flat floors and center console are pluses for easier installs. I use steam but cutting and seaming will also be required. Some sew the seams and some use seam tape. I also have a binding attachment for my sewing machine so I can finish exposed edges. From a Mark Twain book, I invite you to install carpet in the '65 Galaxie. I'll supervise, of course!
Gary, you are spot on about asking my upholstery buddy regarding what materials to use.He has been doing car upholstery for 40+ years, but encouraged me to "shop" for another carpet source, as his main suppler did not have a red color that we liked.Since I'll be in Ft.Worth, I'll visit The Larry Dennis Company and hopefully the firm that Rich recommended.I'll report back on what I found.
IF you recall, what RED carpet did you use?
I only get to do this once, so I'll spend a little extra time to get it right the first time.........I hope.
John
Lots of red vinyl choices. Very few red leather choices. But even fewer red carpet choices. My upholstery friend had stacks of sample books. Pictures don't do...must see and feel samples. I have made floor mats from residential carpet samples and/or remnants but residential carpet is way too thick/stiff to contour to car floors. Everyone needs to visit a upholstery supply store at least once.
I'm back from my recent trip to Ft.Worth, and while I was there I was on the hunt for red carpeting for my Ranchero. Rich had suggested SunBelt Fabrics in Arlington. They are no longer in business by that name. They are now called South West Fabrics and they are located in Dallas at 4908 Sharp St.They had very little to offer in red carpet.
I also stopped at J&J Supply 601 N.Beach St,Ft.Worth. They did not have any bright red carpet, but they are a upholstery supply house. The largest business I visited is Larry Dennis Co., in Ft.Worth. They confirmed that the red carpet I want is not available by the yard. Only as precut carpet sets.
I'll be in Florida next week and the hunt will continue.
Please note that if you are using red carpet, I would recommend seeing if you can spray it with some sort UV inhibitor. Or if they have marine grade for boats.
My wagon has bright red loop and was in a garage mostly before I got it, but is an out and about car with a car cover now. and the Carpet is slightly yellowing.
Also note I asked at the Veteran's Supply and they said they ship samples, so maybe you can call them and ask for some sample carpet.
Not being a carpet expert by any stretch...I am curious...can you get a red that is close, and have someone dye it to match what you want? Just thinking out loud here...no other ideas.
Thanks Abe and Hugh.........I'll contact Veteran Co. As to getting carpet dyed, I don't rule it out,but I'll keep looking in the mean time.
I'll be in Florida, next week, on the West coast.......There are a lot of boats thus I should be able to find an upholstery supplier of some description. Stay tuned.
Finally got out to Veterans Supply.
Here some of their carpet.
More pics.
Thanks Abe, I appreciate you thinking of me and helping.
John
ACC in Anniston, AL?
I'm in the middle of carpeting the '65. I bought formed carpet set. Very disappointed! I'll post the vendor later. The carpet was delivered on time but was sold through a car parts vendor, shipped from a supplier in Texas who got it from a company in Mexico. The rear, 'molded' carpet section almost fits but the front isn't even close. I have a little experience with carpet and this carpet is very thick and stiff like residential carpet not automotive carpet. The front and rear section are NOT from the same batch and the shade and texture are slightly off. The front carpet should have binding across the rear edge to have a finished edge between the seats and seat to door...no binding. The glued padding missing the correct location. The heel protection under the pedals isn't under the pedals. I expected to finish molding the install with minor heat and stretching but this will require cutting and seaming. I'll get it but I would have been just as well off ordering a roll of quality, automotive materials. '57 floors make for a simpler install but if ordering a custom, formed carpet set, get vendor recommendations from someone who has successfully installed a kit in a '57.
BINGO Bill !........Yes they are the source of the carpet I would like to purchase/use.BUT they refuse to sell more than 2 yards of extra carpet material. Frustrating, to say the least.
What I've found is that ACC has multiple independent sellers of their carpet.These sellers,in many instances,have a website and a phone number, but no bricks and mortar, and no inventory.The carpet sets are produced as they are ordered.
Other points one needs to consider when buying carpets produced by ACC...... ACC will accept returns,customer pays the return shipping, back to Alabama,(that is a normal stipulation) AND incurs a 30% restocking fee.
I was not aware of their "2 yard" rule. Never had a need to go there. I can say unequivocally that every set I purchased from them was perfect. Even the 65 Bird set had the pieces for the door panels. The first I knew about them was when I ordered a set for the 66 Falcon Ranchero. Ordered from Autokrafters, came in an ACC box directly from Anniston. Drove over there after that to do face to face and purchase what I needed.
Looking at the Veteran swatches I am guessing I would purchase the "Detroit automotive loop Pile" in Black for my wagon. am I correct in that assessment?
Mike
Update on my search for carpet for my Ranchero.
I've done a lot of internet searching for red carpet and I finally got what I wanted. YEA!
I stumbled upon Automotive Interiors and Accessories Inc., in Belchertown MA., and bought an Auto Custom Carpet (ACC) carpet set and FOUR YARDS of additional carpet. Every other ACC vendor told me 2 yards of additional carpet was the limit.
Now I'll tell you the things I learned about buying carpet sets from ACC.
I've been shopping for carpet on and off for several years. I didn't need it right away,but wanted to do the research,so I'd be ready when the carpet was required.In calling various sellers of ACC carpet,they would offer to send me a small sample,and I always accepted. As I said previously,I made many calls over several years,hoping to find a vendor that would say yes to my additional yardage needs.The sample would come with a tag with the name of the color, and a number and the current year,2022, 2023 etc.
I didn't understand why they were dated with a year,until I placed them all side by side. The color,in this case red, is not always the same year to year.None of the vendors have confirmed this to me,this is my observation/opinion,but the samples are slightly different by year.
So,if you are going to buy an ACC carpet set,I would strongly suggest that you obtain a current year sample,regardless of color.
Another thing I learned,only applies to Rancheros.In looking at the photos on the Automotive Interior website,of the ACC carpet sets,the Ranch Wagon has more carpet,as it is made to fit up under the rear seat. Same price as the set for a Ranchero.I ordered the Ranch Wagon set.
You might be asking as to why I need 4 yards of additional carpet.The console is from a '66 T'Bird.There is a SS "Hockey" stick on either side of the console,and carpet will be installed below the"Hockey"stick.It's about 4 inches until it gets to the bend in the "Hockey" stick,towards the front, and then there is quite a bit more carpet required. The lower 4"- 5" of the door panels and kick panels will be carpeted as well. Then there is the area below the bulkhead,that will be carpeted also.And finally,I want 2 sets of floor mats made from this carpet,as I now know that the color could be different, if I wanted some yardage in the future (IF I could get it) for new floor mats or a partial replacement of worn carpet.
Regardless of which vendor you use, the carpet ships from Alabama.
My Ranchero is two hours away being painted and in a couple of weeks, the seats and door panels will be re-upholstered (don't need the vehicle to do them). Photos will follow.I'm really looking forward to getting this project finished.
John
'65 Thunderbird interior in a '57. Just showing the console 'hockey sticks' and the door panels.
Not related, but Automotive interiors is where I got my headliner kit, and was extremely happy with it. My carpet was bought as yardage from Sunbelt Fabrics in Arlington (?)Tx because I could not find anything close to the color I wanted in pre-formed.
some pics: https://57fordsforever.com/smf/index.php?topic=3518.msg21046#msg21046
Gary, thanks for posting the photos.
Might you have a photo of the seat,showing the pleating?And possibly a photo of the upholstered console cover/arm rest?
It looks like the metal skirting at the bottom of the seat is covered in whatever was used to upholster the seat.Is that correct?
Did you cover the metal back of the seat "shell" in whatever upholstery material you are using?
Thanks
john
John the seats I used were 63 Bird. Fundamentally the same from 61 - 65. The covers were made locally, the skirts came from a Bird supplier and were the correct color (strictly chance), the trim also from a Bird supplier. The skirts were molded, screwed onto the mounts perfectly.
I tweaked everything. The '65 Thunderbird dash was modified by forming and welding in 1/2" tubing on the leading edge of the dash so the vinyl could be stretched and shaped over the edge. The lower portion of the dash is painted. The bucket seats are not '65. The '61-63 seats are smaller than the '64-66 Thunderbird seats. With the larger seats, console and armrests, the '57 is not wide enough. The console is '65 and has vinyl stretched over it as well as the console lid. The back of the '63 seats were originally vinyl covered so those are covered as OG but with the red material. The floors are quite flat so I just used bulk carpet material. The fitted, seamed areas are jointed with some stitching and common carpet binding tape. Carpet binding tape is available in self-stickie and hot iron types.
more PICs
Thanks, Bill and Gary, I appreciate your replies.
John