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Upholstery for a camper shell?

Discussion in '1st Gen. Tacomas (1995-2004)' started by Cutter_, Jun 14, 2017.

  1. Jun 14, 2017 at 9:43 PM
    #1
    Cutter_

    #1
    Cutter_ [OP] I probably could have googled this

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    I have a DIY camper shell project going on for my 1st gen halfcab. I bought it without any upholstery, just bare fiberglass on the ceiling. I bought some 3M spray glue and acrylic felt from Hobby Lobby and did a semi decent job on upholstering the ceiling, but it is way too thin for my liking and not the CLEANEST job. What kind of upholstering "carpet" is used for the ceilings of campers? Similar to subwoofer boxes? I want to use something to keep heat in as much as possible while eliminating humidity for when things get hot and heavy in my stabbin' wagon ;) What kind of adhesive would you recommend me to use for upholstering?
     
    Cutter_, Jun 14, 2017
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  2. Jun 15, 2017 at 7:11 AM
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    FirstTimeFirstGen

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    FirstTimeFirstGen Less active than most

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    Not enough to have a build thread.
    I started out similar to you. I used 3M super adhesive with carpet squares. The 3M didn't hold up and I've lost about 3 squares due to heat. I'll be using real carpet glue soon. But I think you're on the right track - use real carpet or carpet squares like I did.
     
    FirstTimeFirstGen, Jun 15, 2017
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  3. Jun 15, 2017 at 9:31 AM
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    Aquatic Tacoma

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    Aquatic Tacoma Well-Known Member

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    Google boat interior restorations. Most power boat interiors are carpet headliners and walls. There's alot of write ups on that.
     
    Aquatic Tacoma, Jun 15, 2017
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  4. Jun 15, 2017 at 10:45 AM
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    lukester78

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    lukester78 Well-Known Member

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    Go for 3m Super 90 spray glue, it's the industrial strength variety. Should be able to find it at most hardware stores. I carpeted and added a layer of reflectix insulation to my shell in March and so far the Colorado sun hasn't done any damage.

    Check my thread for that project here.
     
    lukester78, Jun 15, 2017
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  5. Jun 15, 2017 at 2:16 PM
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    FirstTimeFirstGen

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    FirstTimeFirstGen Less active than most

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    Not enough to have a build thread.
    I used super 90 but the heat caused it to melt/not hold and dropped 3 squares
     
    FirstTimeFirstGen, Jun 15, 2017
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  6. Jun 15, 2017 at 2:20 PM
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    Drainbung

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    Drainbung Somedays you are the show....

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    Drainbung, Jun 15, 2017
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  7. Jun 26, 2017 at 8:36 AM
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    lukester78

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    lukester78 Well-Known Member

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    Your carpet is probably unnecessarily heavy. I found a super thin indoor/outdoor carpet at HD that hasn't had an issue yet.
     
    lukester78, Jun 26, 2017
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  8. Jun 26, 2017 at 9:07 AM
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    FirstTimeFirstGen

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    FirstTimeFirstGen Less active than most

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    Not enough to have a build thread.
    it's really not that thick, probably like 1/8"
     
    FirstTimeFirstGen, Jun 26, 2017
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  9. Jun 27, 2017 at 8:42 AM
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    lukester78

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    lukester78 Well-Known Member

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    Are the squares backed with rubber or anything? That's how I've usually seen them... A single one of those is heavier than the entire 8x10 carpet I used

    Did you wait for the glue to get tacky on the shell and carpet before placing it?

    The first can of super 90 I used had a broken nozzle or something, sprayed out like silly spray instead of like spray paint. Didn't hold at all. Maybe you got a bad can too?
     
    lukester78, Jun 27, 2017
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  10. Jun 27, 2017 at 1:58 PM
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    FirstTimeFirstGen

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    FirstTimeFirstGen Less active than most

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    Not enough to have a build thread.
    No backing to them. I'll take some pics of the squares later when I get home. And yes, we waited for the glue to tack up. They only tend to fall off in the middle of summer when its triple digits. That's why I was thinking its a glue issue
     
    FirstTimeFirstGen, Jun 27, 2017
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  11. Jun 30, 2017 at 12:37 PM
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    lukester78

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    lukester78 Well-Known Member

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    I guess I'll have to keep an eye on mine as we hit higher temps in the next couple months
     
    lukester78, Jun 30, 2017
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    FirstTimeFirstGen[QUOTED] likes this.
  12. Nov 6, 2017 at 4:05 PM
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    Cutter_

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    Cutter_ [OP] I probably could have googled this

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    Cutter_, Nov 6, 2017
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  13. Nov 7, 2017 at 1:38 PM
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    lukester78

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    lukester78 Well-Known Member

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    Went through this process last winter, here's the thread I posted.

    I used 3M 90 glue, did a layer of Reflectix insulation under the carpeting. I used an indoor/outdoor carpet from Home Depot.
     
    lukester78, Nov 7, 2017
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