Workshop Basics

Handy techniques that’ll smarten your interior at zero cost

How to clean and repair your classic’s shabby carpets.

Scrappy carpet can ruin an otherwise immaculate classic car interior. We showed you how to replace your carpet completely in the July 2014 issue of Practical Classics. Such a drastic measure isn’t always necessary – it’s surprising what can be achieved through cleaning, grooming and localised repairs. Rescuing your old carpet will also preserve the car’s originality.

If the carpets aren’t too bad, you might be able to tend to them in situ. Removing them from the car does have advantages, though. You can get into cracks and crevices, beat dust out and even run a garden hose through the pile. Remove as much dust and dirt as possible when the carpet’s dry to avoid creating a muddy soup. Hang the carpet vertically and hose it until the dregs run clear. Ideally, do this on a warm, sunny day to avoid lengthy drying times. Don’t use a pressure washer – it’s too violent and will create an airborne mist of evil pathogens.

This feature demonstrates a few basic cleaning and repair operations and shows you how recreate small moulded sections. While you’re there, it’s worth having a close look at the carpet’s underfelt. If it’s crushed and lifeless, the carpet will feel flat and thin. Treating the car to new soundproofing felt in the footwells – first attending to any water leaks – can have a transformative effect, both visually and aurally.