Interior restoration

[69Z28-RS]

Yes completely split, everyone 69 original carpet I have personally seen in console cars has been completely split.

The Black Z 04C X33 Carpet was JAN dated  with Velcro
The last one was a 12C X66 conv. Carpet was APRIL 68 dated.  Without Velcro

I replaced my original carpet around 15 yrs ago.  Unless my memory is totally failing me, neither the front nor the rear carpet was 'split' into a LH and RH halves.  Nor was the ACC reproduction replacement carpet split into two halves (and I KNOW I would have compared the replacement to the original).  I think I kept the original carpet; I'll have to check my shop.   Also, as I recall, there was either a tag on the bottom of the carpet with the date (or it was stamped)...?   again, my memory is not clear on that until I do some digging.

PS.  When I removed my original carpet, I found UNDER it.. directly under the steering wheel, a original key wtih the numbered punch out still in it...  After a moment of confusion (WHY was this here??), I tried the key in the ignition and it fit/worked perfectly...    If anyone wants to see an unused (basically) factory original key, I'll get a photograph of it..

Gary

[firstgenaddict]

It's because the front carpet set and steering column were both installed at Chevrolet Assembly not at Fisher.

[X33RS]

Yes completely split, everyone 69 original carpet I have personally seen in console cars has been completely split.

The Black Z 04C X33 Carpet was JAN dated  with Velcro
The last one was a 12C X66 conv. Carpet was APRIL 68 dated.  Without Velcro

I replaced my original carpet around 15 yrs ago.  Unless my memory is totally failing me, neither the front nor the rear carpet was 'split' into a LH and RH halves.  Nor was the ACC reproduction replacement carpet split into two halves (and I KNOW I would have compared the replacement to the original).  I think I kept the original carpet; I'll have to check my shop.   Also, as I recall, there was either a tag on the bottom of the carpet with the date (or it was stamped)...?   again, my memory is not clear on that until I do some digging.

PS.  When I removed my original carpet, I found UNDER it.. directly under the steering wheel, a original key wtih the numbered punch out still in it...  After a moment of confusion (WHY was this here??), I tried the key in the ignition and it fit/worked perfectly...    If anyone wants to see an unused (basically) factory original key, I'll get a photograph of it..

Gary

Gary,
Just looked at my original carpet still in the car and sure enough, the front carpet section is split, and I can see the Velcro that James is talking about right in front of the console.

[asm69]

Hi X33RS,
If its not too much work could you look and see if the carpet is split in the rear as well. If enough people posted whom have a 1969 camaro with the original carpet and factory console, maybe the information could be compiled to indicate another fact regarding production. As I said, my carpet is split in the front and rear, essentially, left front carpet, right right carpet and rear carpet.

[firstgenaddict]

Carpet date tag... on rear section,

location - directly under the front of the drivers seat stapled to the rear carpet.

[X33RS]

Hi X33RS,
If its not too much work could you look and see if the carpet is split in the rear as well. If enough people posted whom have a 1969 camaro with the original carpet and factory console, maybe the information could be compiled to indicate another fact regarding production. As I said, my carpet is split in the front and rear, essentially, left front carpet, right right carpet and rear carpet.

I can, when I get to that point I planned to remove the interior for cleaning. 

[69Z28-RS]

...
I can, when I get to that point I planned to remove the interior for cleaning. 

Do you have a process, or any suggestions, for cleaning the houndstooth upholstery?  my back seat has little to no wear, but it seens faded just a tad, which might be due to 46 yrs of dust imbedded in the material.  I wouldn't want to remove the upholstery from the seats, but what means are there for cleaning a seat as removed from a vehicle without damage to the originality?   Anyone?

[Kelley W King]

Back in the 70,s I bought a new Caprice which my wife spilled sweet tea on the front seat on the maiden trip. The cheverolet dealer had a rattle can of cleaner that worked. If I remember correctly it was a white powder (damp or wet) that you sprayed on and brushed in and brushed off when dry. It worked. It had GM on the can.

[X33RS]

I remember all that GM stuff in a can when I worked at dealers during my younger years    White cans, black lettering, and they had a can for everything you could imagine, lol.

Gary I use a mixture of stuff and a lot of elbow grease.  I like the foamy carpet cleaners (smells good) used with a very soft plastic bristle brush and very light pressure on the cloth inserts.  I also like Spot Shot on the stubborn stains.  I'll use a shop vac to suck them dry, but here in Arizona it doesn't take long for things to dry, so sitting in the garage for an hour does it.  I try not to get them too wet though.  In a humid climate it might be more of a challenge.
  There are probably better methods but good ole' fassion scrubbing works for me.  My wife also has a battery powered rotary scrub brush with plastic bristles that I absolutely love using on the carpets and stuff, but she gets mad when I sneak that out to the garage for car stuff 

[ban617]

What about using Simple Green cleaner I think it's biodegradable ....

[firstgenaddict]

...
I can, when I get to that point I planned to remove the interior for cleaning. 

Do you have a process, or any suggestions, for cleaning the houndstooth upholstery?  my back seat has little to no wear, but it seens faded just a tad, which might be due to 46 yrs of dust imbedded in the material.  I wouldn't want to remove the upholstery from the seats, but what means are there for cleaning a seat as removed from a vehicle without damage to the originality?   Anyone?

You are going to have to go the extraction route to really clean them.
I too imagine the HT is extremely dirty...







IT is not easy to REALLY CLEAN the interiors of these cars, the plasticisers leech out of the parts which causes the stickiness on some parts.

[HawkX66]

IT is not easy to REALLY CLEAN the interiors of these cars, the plasticisers leech out of the parts which causes the stickiness on some parts.
[/quote]
I was wondering what that was. The headlight switch on my truck constantly gets a little gooey. I clean it real well and it comes back. I figured I had gas on my hands and touched it or something. Luckily none of my interior on the 69 seems to be like that.

[Kelley W King]

My brothers car had a plastic steering with a vinyl look grain. Never could get the sticky off it.

[z28z11]

My local Chevrolet dealer used carbon tetrachloride on the interior of my '85 Z when we picked it up from detailing, new - had a big ink stain on the headliner where somebody had tucked something behind the visor with a pen in his hand - most amazing thing I ever witnessed. The stain just evaporated, never left a mark, nor did it discolor anything. I guess that's why you can't find carbon tet anymore because it worked (plus it's pretty poisonous).

Local Ziebart shop autoclaved the drivers side front seat after a chance episode with a cat getting in the car - that was exceptional also. I did remove the broadcast copy from the seat springs before I took it in - wish I was as fortunate in finding my X77's like that.

I have always used a combination of Windex and Armor All on my vinyl First Gens - always works.

Regards,
Steve

[KurtS]

Alan,
Can you also post a pic of the backside of the front carpet?
Thanks!