Wool vs. "standard" carpet

[patrickt]

Originally Posted by lippy

So my question is: How does the quality and look of fairly recent ERA nylon carpet compare to what you would see in something like a Benz, BMW, or Ferrari? Any input is appreciated very much.

Well I wouldn't know about those "high end" type cars, but in the last two years we've bought two new Jeeps and the Cobra's carpeting is on an equal par with the Jeeps' carpeting, in quality that is. And I have the old ERA carpet, too.

[scottj]

Originally Posted by lippy

Still deciding on this, but it looks like the cost is another $1k, so I'm leaning toward using the nylon. I do have another question that I'd appreciate input on. I'm pretty sure the only cars that use wool now are Aston, Bentley, etc. I don't even think Ferrari, BMW, and Mercedes use wool anymore. Also, Peter at ERA mentioned that fairly recently (1-2 years ago) ERA upped the quality of its carpet.

So my question is: How does the quality and look of fairly recent ERA nylon carpet compare to what you would see in something like a Benz, BMW, or Ferrari? Any input is appreciated very much.

BMW, Benz, some porsches use German Velour. German Velour is a wool blend, very tight weave, 1/4" pile. IMHO the Wilton and the Velour are very close. As I said before, I had Wilton Wool previously and prefered the German Velour. I'm not familiar with ERA nylon, but comparing it to Wilton would be similar to comparing it to Benz carpet IMHO.

[Bernica]

Originally Posted by scottj

BMW, Benz, some porsches use German Velour. German Velour is a wool blend, very tight weave, 1/4" pile. IMHO the Wilton and the Velour are very close. As I said before, I had Wilton Wool previously and prefered the German Velour. I'm not familiar with ERA nylon, but comparing it to Wilton would be similar to comparing it to Benz carpet IMHO.

Yes! I was waiting for someone to nail it! Just get a sample piece of Wilton and a sample piece of the top-end Mercedes rug. Just bend each one in half and look at the weave. Also, the Benz stuff follows contours and lays down better than the Wilton with the 1/4" pile. IMHO

[fordracing65]

Wilton is just the weaving process it's not the actual wool... Either way you can't go wrong, it's a Cobra the thrill is driving it...

[lippy]

It's not like I have any Ferrari's, but I just thought it would be a good comparison point to give me a feel for how the carpet looks.

[patrickt]

Originally Posted by lippy

It's not like I have any Ferrari's, but I just thought it would be a good comparison point to give me a feel for how the carpet looks.

I, honestly, do not recall any noticable difference between the carpet in a Rolls Royce, and the carpet in my daughter's Camry (when it was brand new, that is). Seriously, there may have been a difference, and I'm sure there was, it just didn't jump out at me.

[patrickt]

There was a guy I knew back in high school. The back of his Chevy van was carpeted in something plusher than any Rolls, Ferrari, or Cobra. Not sure I would want to have that either....

[lippy]

Originally Posted by patrickt

There was a guy I knew back in high school. The back of his Chevy van was carpeted in something plusher than any Rolls, Ferrari, or Cobra. Not sure I would want to have that either....

I'll bet he had a plate frame that said "Cash, Gas, or Ass - No one rides for free"

[REAL 1]

$1k for the carpet in that car seems a little high. Its not even that much area to cover or is that the cost difference???

Hmmm.

[lippy]

That is the difference to me.

[REAL 1]

That's a lot of bread. Did not think the difference was that much.

Look at the samples then see if its worth it to you.

[fordracing65]

You could also go to an upholstery shop and get any carpet or wool you want, they have many to choose from... I don't think your options are limited to just what ERA has available...

[lippy]

So here is what I was getting at in my previous post. I took the day off today and was in San Francisco with a friend who is visiting. The first photo is the carpet of a ratty Jag Vanden Plas that I'm pretty sure has wool carpet (on the tunnel/in the sun). The second is of a new Ferrari F12 parked next to it. I *think* Ferrari hasn't used wool for a long time, and this carpet to me looks like a high-quality nylon. I like the look and style of the Ferrari carpet better, and if the ERA nylon carpet looks anything close to it that will solve the problem. Separately, I'm not really a Ferrari guy, but I have to say that the F12 looks insanely good in person.

(for some reason the photos are oriented correctly on my computer but uploaded 90 deg CCW. You can see the carpet anyway).

[fordracing65]

Most Ferraris use Wilton Wool, even in there convertible models, just Google, Ferrari carpet wool, it will show you all the models that use wool carpet, if it's not wool it's Velour, much different than a Nylon carpet. the more I have been looking into it the happier I am that I choose wool, it even said it is fire resistant, hopefully I never have to find out, it also said it is used as the carpet of choice in most high end casino carpeting and residential use for its wear quality... Just some fun facts also scotch guard spray will help the life of the carpet...

[KevinW]

- could always match the shade and just do the trans tunnel and footmats in wool.

having read the thread, am thinking of re-doing the trans tunnel as i cant be bothered to rip out the rest of the carpet, which can hardly be seen (I have vynil across the back of the cockpit).

[Bernica]

Originally Posted by fordracing65

Most Ferraris use Wilton Wool, even in there convertible models, just Google, Ferrari carpet wool, it will show you all the models that use wool carpet, if it's not wool it's Velour, much different than a Nylon carpet. the more I have been looking into it the happier I am that I choose wool, it even said it is fire resistant, hopefully I never have to find out, it also said it is used as the carpet of choice in most high end casino carpeting and residential use for its wear quality... Just some fun facts also scotch guard spray will help the life of the carpet...

Huh? We only use Berber in the high-end places. Many different grades up to the wool "hybrid". If someone ran a Wilton on one ,then I stand corrected. But nobody wants it. Also, I have built a few casinos and hotels and trust me, that isn't Wilton. my 2 c

[lippy]

I spoke with a few different carpet suppliers. They mostly agreed that black Wilton is likely to fade in the sun, and velour may be a good upgrade from standard nylon. Fading shouldn't be a problem with the velour.

The cost for velour is $99/yard (60" wide), the cost of the Wilton III is $105/yard (42" wide), and nylon is typically about $50/yard (width varies). I ordered samples.

Do you think velour would look out of place on this type of car?

[fordracing65]

What you have to remember it's not the material so much, it's the way it is woven, meaning Wilton which is a weaving process makes it desirable, there is looped or piled which is a different weave, Velour would look very nice, especially in black, just make sure it is woven in the correct way, a lot of wool these days has UV protection in it, some shops will offer this with there wool, and you need to spray scotch guard on either carpet for extra protection, the samples will help a lot with your decision...

[patrickt]

Man, if every aspect of your build gets the agonizing scrutiny that this carpet thing is getting it will take years to get that car on the road.

[fordracing65]

Originally Posted by patrickt

Man, if every aspect of your build gets the agonizing scrutiny that this carpet thing is getting it will take years to get that car on the road.

Just think if he can't decide between single or double roll bars...