Are they the exact same as the regular panels just with the carpet attached? If so, what is it attached with and how can I remove the carpet without damaging it? I bought some and the driver side plastic wasn't in a good of shape as I expected but the carpet it pretty good so if I can I want to pull the carpet off and put it on my kick panels.

 

As dry as the glue has gotten over the years, I would't be surprised if you couldn't simply pull in off, then reglue on your kick panels.

JamesC

 

I started to pull the carpet off the driver side one and the glue still seems to be holding on pretty well. I just stopped because I didn't want to tear the carpet up, I'll try it slowly and see if I can get it off.

 

GM's General Purpose Adhesive Cleaner, or a product like it, might be helpful if used sparingly (and it would certainly clean the kick panel up after the carpet is removed).

JamesC

 

Sorry for hijacking the thread. But my the capeting is starting to peel off. What kinda glue should I use to reattach the carpet? My carpet does have some bad stains so I should just get new pieces, anybody know where I can find replacement carpet for the kickpanels? I really want to add the carpeting on the rear plastic trim too. And while I'm at it, might as well change the passenger and rear carpeting too. I took out my split rear seats and installad a full set of seats out of a 2002 Camaro. I removed the bar on the tunnel, so the carpet has the slits in it which you can see. So It needs to go anyways.

 

The Paddock used to sell pre-cut pieces for this area.

JamesC

 

GM used 2 different kinds of glue over the years to hold the kicks on. One style hardens and allows you to pull the carpet off very easily. The other kind stays soft, and is a major pain in the *** to get off. If you can get one corner up, I usually use a combo of a razor blade knife and a flat razor to cut the glue as I pull up on the carpet. If you're trying to save the carpet, this is going to be a slow process, but the carpet is pretty strong, so you can tug on it while you use the razor to cut the glue away.

For attaching the carpet to new kicks, or to re-attach your old carpet, I've found that 3M Spray Adhesive works well. Hot Glue works well too, but may soften in hotter climates.

While the Paddock does sell the pre-cut pieces, if I remember correctly, they were a bit expensive. These pieces are extremely easy to cut yourself if you buy some bulk carpet. Automotive carpet looks the best, but if you want something real easy and a bit cheaper, unbacked car audio style carpet works great as long as you can find a color that matches.

I've been thinking about going to my carpet manufacturer with a pattern to have them start producing pre-cut kick panel carpet inserts, but so far I hadn't really found that there was enough demand. If there are enough of you guys who would buy a set of pre-cut pieces, I'll approach them about getting them made.

 

Would those pre-cut inserts have the sewn "trim" edge on the bottom like the stock ones do?

 

I don't believe that the ones currently available have it. My carpet company can add them, but I think they're going to be too large to look right, and if that's the case, I think they're better off without it.

 

Heatgun on MEDIUM heat to the BACKSIDE of the panel to soften the glue up and simpy pull it off. DO NOT, I REPEAT DO NOT use the heat gun on the carpeted side, it INSTANTLY melts the carpet. Ask me how I know. Better yet, ask my center console carpet.