I picked this tip up from a guy a long time ago when I was learning to apply tolex and carpet. It works so well, I still do it. It takes 30 seconds and a little cure time.
Try and get an idea of how the carpet will lay out on the cabinet. Once you do, use flat spray paint the same color (or close) as the covering material and spray where you think the seams will fall. That way if you get a less than perfect seam, you won't see the white wood through the gap. Here's a wedghorn build with the planned seams painted as an example:
Let the paint dry overnight and the adhesive will stick to it as well as the wood.
I measure and cut my carpet so all of the seams fall on an edge. I then cover all the edges with plastic moulding and plastic corners. Looks professional! Works for me.
LelandCrooks wrote:DURATEX rules. I'll never carpet again. I sprayed 4 cabs last nite in 3 hours. I'd have barely finished carpet on one in that time.
It just takes getting used to. I'll cover that wedgehorn in about an hour tonight. But I do intend to try the Duratax once the weather warms and I can spray in the garage.
I don't care for the plastic molding strips. I've never seen a manufactured cab yet that has them. To me, it looks exactly like what it is: plastic molding covering up seams.
Yes, brush it at the seams. Also, wipe the seams with a rag made damp by mineral spirits. It'll pull off any adhesive that may have got on the carpet and make the seam all but invisible.
If you do it correctly, you should have to search for the seams.
vexorgtr wrote:I spray my edges too....... the other thing I learned is of you brush the carpet around the seams you can reduce the visibility.
What do you mean by "brushing" the carpet? And how does that help cover up the seams?
Just brush over it with a rag. It kind of 'fluffs' the fibers in the immediate vicinity of the seam. If it's really visible you can try a soft bristle brush, but be careful or it'll look like your cab is having a bad hair day....
Yep... do the same stuff here... vote of confidence...
1) Use the mineral spirits thing (w/ a black rag - - important!) to rub over the seams of the carpeting. Gets the overspray off and makes the seam harder to see.
2) Instead of using black spray under the carpeting, I actually put a rolled on coat of Duratex first. I know it takes longer, but the reason I do it is if a beer or something is spilled on the carpeted speaker, it won't get into the wood plys and cause damage. So, if I had to replace the carpeting, difficult, but it could be done... whereas, if I had to replace a cab top or side, damn near impossible after PL is used!!
Because it's paint and therefore classed here as inflammable goods, the cost of paperwork and containerising bla bla bla makes it prohibitive to import even 440 gallon drums!
Duratex are looking for an Aussie agent so hopefully that will mean they'll make it available here in NZ - but at what price????????
Gosh I'm still grumpy about the Poms beating us at cricket - maybe I'll go for a drive and have some road rage to get it out of my system!
Harley
Semi-retired: Former Australia and New Zealand Authorised BFM cab builder.
Semi-retired: Former Australia and New Zealand Authorised BFM cab builder.
