Rubber Backing on Snap In Carpet

Sun Chaser

Sun Chaser

Member
Oct 13, 2006
177
Bellmore, NY
Boat Info
280 Sundancer 2001
Engines
T 4.3 w/Alpha I CR
I removed the snap in carpet for the winter and alot of the rubber backing is sticking to the deck. The carper is about 7 years old but still in good shape except for the backing. Anyone have an idea what type of solvent I could use to remove the rubber backing sticking to the deck?

Glenn
 
Last edited:
Soak it with hot from the tap (not boiling)water first. Then a stiff hand brush. Comes right off.
 
Hot water may work in NY............after a carpet bakes in the Florida sun, I've removed welds from steel plate easier than carpet backing comes off cockpit non-skid.
 
Thanks for the replies. I will give the hot water a try tomorrow and am looking into using Durabak to put on the back of the carpet.

Glenn
 
I have a similar but slightly different problem. When I went to remove the carpets to get at my engine hatches the backing was stuck to the fiberglass deck, so I stopped. I need to get the hatches open but I'd like to do it without destroying the backing. Any ideas how to pry the backing off the deck without seperating it from the carpet and then cleaning the mess up?
 
I just let it sit for a few weeks in the cold and hosed it off the nonskid. Came right off.
 
I used a stiff scrub brush too.
FWIW - A trick I have used to salvage the carpet for a few extra years was to purchase thin clear vinyl at Walmart (like shower curtain) and cut it to match the bottom of the carpet. I used spray 3m adhesive to glue it to the black foam underneath the carpet. I re-installed the snaps thru both the carpet and the new backing. I am on my third year re-using what I thought was shot carpeting.
Mark
 
boatrboy said:
I used a stiff scrub brush too.
FWIW - A trick I have used to salvage the carpet for a few extra years was to purchase thin clear vinyl at Walmart (like shower curtain) and cut it to match the bottom of the carpet. I used spray 3m adhesive to glue it to the black foam underneath the carpet. I re-installed the snaps thru both the carpet and the new backing. I am on my third year re-using what I thought was shot carpeting.
Mark
Click to expand...
Do you have trouble with mold under the shower curtain material?
 
Four Suns said:
That almost looks like sarcasm.
Click to expand...

It is not.

It is a good idea since replacement carpets are several hundred dollars each, and if like mine, the backing has failed and the carpeting is still good.

My thought was that cotton sheet material would provide the same insulation effect, and at the same time not trap moisture between the carpet and fiberglass.
 
You would just glue on a new shower curtain or bed sheet to cover it up?

So let me ask this... If you were buying a used boat from someone and you raised up the carpet and saw a shower curtain or bed sheet glued on the back, what would that tell you? Anything in general about the boat? Would you make them replace it or deduct the amount from the boat price?

These threads about "the carpet is in great shape but the backing failed" always end up the same. The reality is, the carpet is more than the looped thread on the face. It consists of thread, backing, etc. When the backing fails, the carpet fails. That thread will last 100 years in a landfill and look like new when washed off... but the other stuff making up the carpet is not durable enough and Sea Ray put the cheapest backing they could on. The newer backings, like those from snapincarpets.com, are durable, midew resistant, have water channels to wick water away to avoid a petri of bacteria, germs, growth, and viruses, and last in the direct sun without sticking to the deck. I've got two seasons on my new carpets and they look like new... backing included.
 
ImpulseIII said:
How would cotton NOT attract moisture and cause mold. Sounds like you would be redeveloping a sea borne petri dish.
Click to expand...

The rubber backing appears to be an open cell foam allowing moisture to wick through the carpet and evaporate. Using a cloth backing would allow the evaporation process to continue.
 
Then have at it. Just like letting a wet towel sit on the cockpit floor, sooner or later little microscopic critters will appear and stake out a homestead. Your choice, I am just making a suggestion that cotton may not be the way to go.
 
Four Suns said:
You would just glue on a new shower curtain or bed sheet to cover it up?

So let me ask this... If you were buying a used boat from someone and you raised up the carpet and saw a shower curtain or bed sheet glued on the back, what would that tell you? Anything in general about the boat? Would you make them replace it or deduct the amount from the boat price?

These threads about "the carpet is in great shape but the backing failed" always end up the same. The reality is, the carpet is more than the looped thread on the face. It consists of thread, backing, etc. When the backing fails, the carpet fails. That thread will last 100 years in a landfill and look like new when washed off... but the other stuff making up the carpet is not durable enough and Sea Ray put the cheapest backing they could on. The newer backings, like those from snapincarpets.com, are durable, midew resistant, have water channels to wick water away to avoid a petri of bacteria, germs, growth, and viruses, and last in the direct sun without sticking to the deck. I've got two seasons on my new carpets and they look like new... backing included.
Click to expand...

Looks like you are right on the cheap carpet thing. I just found my backing is coming off some of the cockpit carpets. It looks like something else to buy new before spring splash. It’s a good thing I have this boat to spent money on, keep the economy going and all!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Forum statistics

Threads
113,241
Messages
1,429,113
Members
61,122
Latest member
DddAae
Back
Top