Carpet is trashed... how hard is it to replace?

[Easter]

I just got my dad's old ford explorer, and much to my dismay there's about 7 years worth of spilled soda on the carpet.. it's really, and I mean REALLY gross.. I've spent most of a day steam cleaning it myself, and get nothing but black water when I empty the tank... the carpet looks "better" but it's still WAY dirty... should I keep cleaning it (I'm just using normal bissel carpet cleaner along w/ oxy-clean) or just replace the carpet? I'm worried that replacing it is going to be more work than I want to manage at the moment. I'm no stranger to stripping out interiors, I've stripped a Dodge Omni and a Plymouth Neon, but as those are both smaller cars, there wasn't a whole lot to do really... and the seats were neither electric, or very heavy...

Any advice? Is there some miracle product I am missing out on that may help get more of the gunk out of the carpet.

Also, anyone have any opinions on putting darker carpeting inside a white X with a tan interior? I was thinking since a lot of the dash and console is black that black or very dark charcoal carpeting would look nice, as well as hide any future spills (I do have a two year old!)

 

[expo5.0]

i have recarpeted my green/blue leather interiored explorer with a black carpet kit from headlinerkit.com (or something close to that) the kit was 150 dollars and the install took me roughly 6 hours. i love the end results.

keep in mind that is just for recarpeting the passenger area, you'll have to go to home depot or menards and buy some matching carpet for the cargo area too for about 30 dollars more.

once again, its easy and i love my results, you should do it too

 

[section525]

Definitely replace it. Its pretty easy to gut the inside of an X. If you search around on here there is a thread or two about replacing the carpet, using different colors, and good places to get them.

I think the stock color would be the best replacement to get. However, black might look alright. But I wouldn't throw any grays into the mix. I think Expo5.0 has black carpet in his ride now. Search through the gallery for his ride if you wanna.

And welcome to the forum! Prepare for your wallet to shrink and your X to get badder (is that a word?)

EDIT: Too slow for Expo

 

[expo5.0]

yeah, i kicked your butt there man.

 

[Easter]

Thanks, it will be a while before I have the cash to replace it (we're behind on bills at the moment), but now I think I definately will. I'm going to give the whole interior another good once over with the steam cleaner tomorrow and just live with it the way it is for a few months.. I just know I don't want it in there like that forever.. eww!