Car looks great man! Eager to see how that carpet turns out
Love your da! You inspire me to fix mine up
Thanks guys!
I was out at Lowe’s today and was looking for something to dye this carpet in… While a big garbage can would work great, a decent one is about $40+. Kind of spendy for my intentions.
I did find a big, 48gallon, plastic (HDPE) tote bin with lid for $20. That should do the trick. The weather is shitty today, but tomorrow I think a pressure wash and good scrub is in order… then time to see the magic happen!
For anyone interested, that’s one of the better examples on how to get it done.
Depending on how your carpet turns out I might try this lol, the carpet in that thread turned out great!
I figure if tan to black can look that good, then the OEM “graphite black” carpet should be cake. While it does have more of a blue/green tone than black, it’s dark enough to be a great candidate.
Be on the lookout for updates!
such a nice build!
[QUOTE=unified112;2295383]
Those are the best pictures I could find that show the antenna… As I said, you can see how it would sit if I installed it in the the way it was designed… it would stick out badly. But turn it a certain way and it sits almost perfect.[/QUOTE]
So, my idea has been to remove the roof mounted window squirter and repalce it with that style of antenna. Would you say that the base of that one would fit up there without hanging over the edge of the roof? This is the best option I have seen yet to make that happen aside from getting one from an older jetta.
Also, is there a gap between the car and the mount since you turned it sideways?
I don’t believe this antenna would work… not easily, anyway.
The base of it is a threaded shaft with a nut that you install (from the under-side of the surface), this holds the antenna to the mounting surface.
Being that you can barely get a finger up in the roof right there, you won’t get this one to fit without modification.
If I remember right, the inner-shell/skeleton of the roof has a decent amount of clearance from the actual outer-skin of the roof. You MAY be able to use a holesaw to get the appropriate access… but definitely be sure before actually attemtping that… I’m just spitting ideas.
[QUOTE=unified112;2295998]I don’t believe this antenna would work… not easily, anyway.
The base of it is a threaded shaft with a nut that you install (from the under-side of the surface), this holds the antenna to the mounting surface.
Being that you can barely get a finger up in the roof right there, you won’t get this one to fit without modification.
If I remember right, the inner-shell/skeleton of the roof has a decent amount of clearance from the actual outer-skin of the roof. You MAY be able to use a holesaw to get the appropriate access… but definitely be sure before actually attemtping that… I’m just spitting ideas.[/QUOTE]
I see what you are saying. I didnt really think of that part. haha. Probably a better idea to get a hold of a jetta one since its meant to be on the roof and see if I can make that work somehow.
For where you put it, is there a little gap between the body and the mount where its turned sideways?
In the top photo, the antenna was NOT bolted down properly, so yes there was a gap
As it sits when it’s installed properly, it sits flush and water-tight.
I’ll try to get a better shot of it later today.
Can’t wait to see how the carpet turns out Sean. I’ve always thought about doing mine but I didn’t want a jet black color since the factory color is more grey. Plus it’s not exactly a priority…
Have you guys ever thought about running a window mounted antenna? Something like: http://www.crutchfield.com/S-Z16aC2eMhb5/p_12044UA200/Universal-Window-mount-Antenna.html Looks like many are iffy, but I’m sure there are some good ones out there. I always hated having an antenna on my car and wanted to shave all those such holes but I never got around to getting one of these other types to test out.
That’s actually a good idea Colin… I’d have to get something rear mounted… Or move my alarm antenna, as it sits in the windshield.
I really don’t mind the external antenna. Just have to be conscious about it. Taking it off before using the car cover, or a car wash, etc. And I think it’s different to keep it, as you said, many people end up shaving them off.
Funny you mention the color… After washing this carpet, I really like the OEM finish. I Almost feel guilty for dying it. But my saving grace is that I will still have the current carpet as a backup if I ever want the OEM color back. I was thinking the jet black will be a good contrast with the red Recaros.
Before pressure washing:
After:
This carpet is almost flawless… As I said, feeling guilty that my intentions are to dye it lol.
Don’t feel guilty, it’ll look great I’m sure! I just have a silly hangup in my head sometimes about stuff that isn’t OEM or at least OEM looking…
I hear ya there man! The only thing that keeps me at ease with this is the fact that I’ll still have my OE carpet, as well as the newly colored one.
Speaking of…
Figure I’ll let that sit until mid-next week and then see where we’re at.
The picture of the Recaros I posted was simply from the seller… Today I came home to a much welcomed surprise:
Can’t wait to get the rails squared away! They’re not as clean as I’d wish them to be… Maybe a SOLID 8/10? I mean, we have to realise that these are 12years old (at the youngest), if not closer to 15yrs old.
I wish so badly my carpet still had the rubber piece for your heel. Instead I has a hole to the metal from previous owner abuse.
Looks amazing after a pressure wash. I’m suprised you still wanna dye it. Did you wash it at a car wash place or did you rent a pressure washer?
For the carpet, I sprayed the entire thing with a product called Purple Power. Even when I had access to a heated upholstery cleaner, I preferred degreaser and heated pressure washing.
I used a portable/motorized pressure washer we have at the shop. While its not heated, it does the job.
When you do it at a car wash/ you don’t have control of the psi output. With a 20 year old carpet, I thought it wise to turn it down quite a bit. Then I used the shopvac to pull as much water out as I could.
I snapped some pictures of the antenna today for those curious.
I decided to wash the Recaros today. There were some stains and scuffs on them that was kill in me. Apparently the Alcantara material is meant to be cleaned with dulited Woolite. After some elbow grease and a suede brush I got them looking a lot better.
And, of course, I had to see at least one seat in the car.
This is the general idea of what was done to them.
Before
After
This past weekend I decided to go for a drive… While it was all highway driving, it’s the first time I’ve taken it for a 200+mile trip in one sitting.
I am pleased to report that there were no leaks, hiccups or issues what so ever on the drive. That set my mind at ease a little bit concerning the reliability of the motor.
Took a drive out to the salt flats…
The obligatory fuel stop…
The worst part of the drive? No AC. It was like 93F outside. Back-sweat is yucky lol.
The carpet came out pretty dang good. There are a couple spots I want to touch up, but overall I am happy.
carpet looks good! mine is holy so i gotta order a new one…keep it up man