Vannin' Home Forums General Discussion Generic How To ..... Questions about Wall Paneling

So the van is going to get prepped for body ad paint in the next few weeks. While I wait, I am preparing my all of my stored parts by cataloging and cleaning them all up before I can reinstall them. To pass the time, I have started to research installing wall panels and I am playing around with the idea of wrapping them in carpet. I have found a fantastic carpet, it isn't shag but it isn't thin commercial carpet, that would match the paint.

I wouldn't be using foam padding on the panels, just carpet to wood.

My question is, what thickness can I reasonably get away with gluing and stapling the carpet to? I am going to run wood bracing across the metal bracing inside the cabin to help support the panels. But I have noticed that plywood can be in short supply, or very expensive when I can find it. I was thinking about 1/4' sheets to cut to the size panels I want or would I need to use 3/8" panels?

Thank you.

3/8" gets really hard to curve to your walls and ceiling. I used 5mm (very similar to 1/4") stuff from home depot and that seemed to work well. I ended up going back and adding wood braces like you mentioned because the plywood was warping in between since its a fairly complex curve despite being fairly flat. It also gives you more places to screw into if your in between ribs and need to add a fastener.

I ended up using really strong plastic hook lock velcro for my lower upholstered wall panels. I didnt want to rely on the adhesive on the back so I stapled one side of the velcro to the wall and the other side to the upholstered panel so it never comes off and its held great, both of which are 5mm. I bet if you use contact cement, you'll get a really good bond even on the and you can minimize your staples. If you do, use the brush on, the spray on is ok at best, and messy.

That's the answer I was looking for. No pun intended but you hit the nail on the head. I was thinking about a combination of 3m spray glue with the staples on the backside. That is how I did the diamond stitch material to my door panels.

Plus that way I could even mount some speakers in the 1/4 and use some left over 1/2 strips for backing so the screws really bite into it.