Trunk detailing

[Ghoste]

So how many of you guys out there with the amazing show cars care to offer what things you did to get this area up to snuff?

[Dino]

I was just looking for a nice piece of carpet I could fit in my trunk so I'll keep an eye on this thread.

[Ghoste]

Could you use a good piece of short nap stuff just cut to the shape of the vinyl mat and maybe hemmed?
(personally I'm hoping to see factory correct shots but I was curious about show cars in general when I started the thread)

[Dino]

Could you use a good piece of short nap stuff just cut to the shape of the vinyl mat and maybe hemmed?
(personally I'm hoping to see factory correct shots but I was curious about show cars in general when I started the thread)

That's what I'm thinking.  A plain piece of carpet with a seam around it should look just fine.

I really don't like the stock vinyl mats in any aspect so that's not going in.

[twodko]

For 2nd gens just the OEM rubber mat.

Personally I wouldn't put any kind of carpeting in the trunk.
It's draws and retains moisture. 

[polywideblock]

what about the water proof stuff they use in boats     

[WHITE AND RED 69]

what about the water proof stuff they use in boats     

I used some outdoor water proof carpet I got at home depot and trimmed it to cover the mat.

[myk]

For 2nd gens just the OEM rubber mat.

Personally I wouldn't put any kind of carpeting in the trunk.
It's draws and retains moisture. 

Oh really?  S**t!  Thanks for the heads up...

[indreams84]

For 2nd gens just the OEM rubber mat.

Personally I wouldn't put any kind of carpeting in the trunk.
It's draws and retains moisture. 

Wait, isn't the OEM rubber mat a major contributor to moisture....

[Ghoste]

I don't know that it draws it but it sure doesn't let it out. 

[green69rt]

I don't know that it draws it but it sure doesn't let it out. 

For the purists, it's a requirement.  I always thought it was pretty ugly.  If you are not into the "make it like it came from the factory" thing then do what makes sense.  Not a dig at those that want the factory thing,  they are cool also..

[Ghoste]

And factory is what I'm going for personally but clearly many don't.

[twodko]

For 2nd gens just the OEM rubber mat.

Personally I wouldn't put any kind of carpeting in the trunk.
It's draws and retains moisture. 

Wait, isn't the OEM rubber mat a major contributor to moisture....

I don't know that it draws it but it sure doesn't let it out. 

I don't know that it draws it but it sure doesn't let it out. 

For the purists, it's a requirement.  I always thought it was pretty ugly.  If you are not into the "make it like it came from the factory" thing then do what makes sense.  Not a dig at those that want the factory thing,  they are cool also..

All true. OEM rubber does not breathe so moisture does not escape. My car came with a new OEM rubber mat so that's what I use. I do buy bags of desiccant at my local gun store and put one under the mat from time to time. It's fairly arid where I live in NorCal and my car is always garaged, not a lot of moisture has a chance to build up.

[green69rt]

A little off the subject, but what about the pad under the trunk floor that goes between the floor and the gas tank?  What's that made of and is it a problem??  Seems like a perfect place to catch and hold moisture, mud, etc.

[Ghoste]

It's a fibrous mat of some sort and yes, I think it does attract moisture up there but perhaps the saving grace there is the air moving around while the vehicle is in motion?

[indreams84]

My car has an OEM mat in place and is very stock in appearance, something I love. BUT there is surface patina underneath that I am debating on how to proceed on....sucks because it is rust-free otherwise 

[twodko]

Annoying but true that's why I put small bags of desiccant under my mat. They're cheap and I change them regularly.

[Lord Warlock]

If the trunk isn't leaking, not much moisture should be under the mat to start with.  But if water is getting in, I wouldn't want to put either carpet or rubber mat in due to water retention.  If its rusting, any moisture will form and continue its job, even if stored inside/garaged.  I don't expect mine to rust again after fixing it, and the window leaks.  While I prefer the looks of a trimmed carpet, I'll probably have to put another plaid rubber mat in since it was there when I got the car, although i didn't know or care why at 17 years old and at some point over the years it got removed and tossed. 

[Ghoste]

For those of us in the right climate zones, I wonder how much condensation could form under that rubber mat?

[green69rt]

For those of us in the right climate zones, I wonder how much condensation could form under that rubber mat?

Probably not much, but I will be taking my mat up every few weeks or months to check and wipe down underneath (something I never did on my old charger.)

[fy469rtse]

The rubber mat, cheap way to finish of this area to car , lucky for us Chrysler was great at a few other things ,
I prefer the tailored carpet look ghoste, I would rather carpet soaking up moisture than it just sitting under a rubber mat that sweats when car is running , source of heat ? Hot exhaust mufflers,
It's just one of those things you should watch for on these cars , read maintenance 

[Ghoste]

As an fyi, the trunk was carpeted in the 66-67 Chargers, I guess today they'd call it decontenting.

[Dino]

Carpet or rubber or vinyl in the trunk, it really has no bearing on moisture.  Leaks in the friggin' car on the other hand.   

Stop the leaks and you can put anything you want in the trunk.