Best Carpeting Adhesive?

I bought new carpeting for the boat. Just curious what adhesive you guys have used on your carpeting projects? I found Roberts 6700 at Home Depot, and have ready that Henry's 263 is decent. Any suggestions? Trowel on or spray on?

I used 3M spray contact adhesive. Some may use a spreadable adhesive, but I prefer the spray because it goes on much easier with less mess. You can also control how strong of bond you want by the density of your spray pattern. Edges & rolls spray thick and when it fully cures in 2 or 3 hours the edges won't peal up. Light, thin spray can peal up more easily later for patches, repairs or replacement. It worked extremely well for me and went very fast compared to the spreadable, which usually needs longer flash times before laying the carpet and also usually has a much longer cure time - this based on the automotive and commercial applications I've done.

I recently bought some from Overton’s. It is spreadable. Don’t think a spray will be strong enough. Plus they recommend spreading it on. I will be doing that some time soon. Pull it up ( hopefully it has given way with age). Cleaner the floor the better. When I do mine, I plan on sanding and getting a good clean base. I don’t want to have to do it any time in the near future.

I am interested to hear what folks have used as well. Henry’s appears to be a commercial item you can’t pick up just anywhere.

Here is a good article from Bass Boat Central. They talk about all the stuff we have mentioned here. Someone may need to insert the link properly.

Henry's 263 is highly regarded. Roberts 6700 also mentioned.

On Roberts 6700, I have seen articles that guys that install boat carpet swear by it. However, the company says.....NOT FOR USE IN BOATS!!!! Must be some sort of liability thing going on.

http://www.bbcboards.net/showthread.php?t=323833

I got gallon of contact cement from home depot. used roller to apply.

I've used "Tec Skill Set" indoor/outdoor carpet flooring adhesive from Lowes .... "used to install marine grade carpet on deck boats". Very happy with the results.

That 3M is very similar to what I used on mine, but allows for a greater working time. If you've never (or rarely) done this sort of work with contact or flash dried glue products, this is probably the better choice for an aerosol based product. The spreadable Henry's is probably the best overall and seems to be about the only product that claims to be completely water proof and would also allow for a much greater working time. I've had a ton of experience with contact and flash dry adhesives for flooring, including carpets of all kinds, so I was very confident in my ability to do the install with a quicker product.   While the Henry's is the only one that claims 100% waterproof, there are several products that are water resistant the are in actuality nearly waterproof, they just aren't willing to put that in printing - again, probably one of those 'liability" issues. Using the 3M product in a multitude of applications, I am very sure it will be good for years to come.

As for strength which was brought up earlier in this post?   SUPER strong once cured, which only takes a few hours, not days.   Below is a test I performed early on with a thick, wet coat on both. This is what I did on the high stress and perimeters to ensure it doesn't peal up, but is not something you would do in the main body of the carpet. Moderate pulling would not get the carpet up very well. In the test I had to start with a corner and use a commercial carpet puller (hand held model). Lighter coats of adhesive in the main body held very well, but were more easily pulled without the use of the puller and did not pull the carpet fibers through as shown in the picture.



AGAIN, this is certainly not what I'm recommending for everyone, it's just what I did, and I am very comfortable with its performance, installation, strength and water resistance.

Well David, I've always been an advocate of folks using what they are comfortable with and what is more suited to their abilities.   And I too wasn't implying that everyone has to take my advise ... was just responding to the original post question: "Just curious what adhesive you guys have used on your carpeting projects? "   The subsequent "instructions" were more for those who might read this thread in the future and feel they may want to give it a try.   It does look like you've found a very good product that appears to be very user friendly. Give it a go and let us know
But I didn't read anything into your comment, so no worries. I've been 'corrected' so many times on this site with other matters you tend to shrug it off and go on, most of the time.   

I don't know what CC used for adhesive back in the day, but, my carpet lifted right out. Very easy, except for taking out the bulk heads. I think I ready they used spray adhesive. If that is the case, I may rethink using a spread on type. IF I ever had to take the carpet out, it would be nice to lift it right out. Old carpet looks like absolute CRAP after 30 seasons of use.

How would you rate the application process?

Some old vs. new pics. It was a blessing that the old carpet came out in on piece. It was nice to have the template.