Organizing and restraining things in the Element’s cavernous interior can be a challenge. In addition to easier organizing, I wanted to separate emergency gear that’s always in the car from the groceries and things that come and go. My research led me to this Element Owner’s Club thread, and I attempted to duplicate the solution from post #19 by user eyemhess.
I learned how to wrap and staple carpet onto plywood from these two videos:
- How to install boat carpet by Extreme Covers USA on YouTube
- Replacing Carpet in the Boat by StudnickaAquatics on YouTube
Materials
| Item | Details | QTY | Price/ea | Link |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sanded pine plywood | 23/32″x2’x4′ | 1 | $11.98 | Lowe’s Item #7710 |
| Mohawk ribbed utility rug | 72″x96″ | 1 | $20.98 | Lowe’s Item #652450 |
| TEC outdoor carpet adhesive | 1 qt | $5.78 | Lowe’s Item #673004 | |
| Bostitch HD T50 staples | 9/16″ leg x narrow crown 20Ga | 1250-pack | $3.38 | Lowe’s Item #573323 |
| SmartStraps flat adjustable bungee assortment | 10-pack | $15.98 | Lowe’s Item #518170 |
Build
It took some planning to determine the right cuts and folding order.
First I cut notches in the board to accomodate the rear compartment’s wall shape. Then we glued the carpet to the board’s top side, “rolling” the material to the board edges using a glass jar. We allowed the adhesive to cure for several days before starting the next step.
I pre-painted all the edges and the bottom areas where carpet edges join so the bare wood wouldn’t show through.
We used a framing square and utility knife to cut the carpet in straight lines.
Then we wrapped the carpet around, stapling it on the shelf’s bottom side with a pneumatic 20Ga stapler.
Wrapping a small stub of excess material around each corner prevents bare wood from sticking through.
We “troweled” the carpet adhesive onto the board using plastic knives and forks.
Now our tools, emergency bag, and first-aid are out of the way and stay put. We use bungies to secure groceries and things on top of the shelf.
Reclining the rear seats only slightly (as much as seen in the pictures) locks the board into position so it’s not moving as we drive.
References
Element Owner’s Club: Easiest Bed with Mass Storage thread
YouTube | Extremem Covers USA: Replacing Carpet in the Boat
YouTube | StudnickaAquatics: How to install boat carpet