DFB5.0
Well-Known Member
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- #1
As far as I'm concerned, if your car is a daily, carpet mats are pretty much useless. While they prevent wet, muddy feet from ruining the carpet underneath, they are a nightmare to clean this side of a carpet extractor. Nor do they prevent debris from getting underneath them like a 3D molded rubber mat would. Dirty carpet mats also age the look of the interior.
While rubber floor mats have been around for a long time, the newer crop of 3D molded rubber mats are a worthwhile investment. Most car companies sell these as OEM accessories now, but there is also a number of different aftermarket items that are just as, if not better than OE.
The main benefit of the 3D-type mats is they act more like a tray, containing mud, water and debris within the mat and reducing the amount of vacuuming needed. The same concept applies to cargo mats, especially useful if you go camping or have dogs.
Care and Rejuvenation Tips -
A big bonus regarding rubber mats is their ease of cleaning. Sure, you can blast your carpet mats with a pressure washer to clean them, but you also need to wait for them to dry before reinstallation.
Cleaning rubber mats is pretty simple, you will need a brush, access to water, an appropriate chemical, a towel and a dressing (optional). The key is which brushes, chemicals and dressings to use..............................
Water - I start the cleaning process by doing an initial rinse with water. A garden hose works fine here as its the chemical that does the work here, but a pressure washer will speed the process.
Chemicals - For the most part, rubber floor mats are treated like any other rubber surface. Typically, you want an alkaline cleaner for this role.
A heavy duty all-purpose-cleaner (Megs D101, Koch Chemie Green Star, Carpro MultiX ect) can be used, however I have found them to lack the ultimate ability of a dedicated rubber cleaner. In theory, you can also use a tyre cleaner for this role, in fact, I have found Shine Supply Wise Guy to work well on mats without introducing an unpleasant chemical smell into the interior.
Get Shine Supply Wise Guy Online | Waxit – Waxit Car Care (AUS)
SHINE SUPPLY | Wise Guy Wheel Cleaner | Car Supplies Warehouse (USA)
The best I have used so far has been McKee's Floor Mat and Cargo Liner Rejuvenator. This product foams up under agitation, rinses freely and has a much better ability to deep clean rubber than an APC.
McKee's 37 Floor Mat and Cargo Liner Rejuvenator - 650ml – The Detail Store (AUS)
MCKEE'S 37 | Floor Mat & Cargo Liner Rejuvenator | Car Supplies Warehouse (US)
Whatever chemical you choose, apply generously to your freshly rinsed mats.
Brushes - For a long time, I used a soft wheel brush for agitation.
However, you really need a stiff bristle brush for mats. Again, you are treating these items like any other rubber material, as such you need that stiffer bristle to cut through the grime. The Detail Factory Tire Brush is absolutely brilliant here -
Detail Factory Tyre Brush (detailingshed.com.au) (AUS)
Detail Factory - Tire Scrub Brush | The Rag Company (US)
Use firm to aggressive movements when agitating the mats. Follow this up with a thorough rinse and then leave them to dry in the sun or via compressed air.
Dressing (Optional) - For the most part, you need to be careful what you use so as to not cause a safety hazard. Most rubber or plastic dressings can be used here. In the past, I have used a weak dilution of Carpro Perl or a small amount of 303 Protectant, working the product in and wiping well to prevent slipperiness.
Lately, I have been using Koch Chemie Guf for dressing rubber mats. This product was specifically designed to offer a non-slippery finish while also lifting the overall appearance. (For those in the US, Guf will be available soon.)
Koch-Chemie Gummifix Guf Interior Plastic Care, Non-Slip for Rubber fl (detailingshed.com.au) (AUS)
Spray the product generously and then work it in with a towel. I tend to apply this every few months.
All clean, dry and dressed, re-install back into the vehicle.
While rubber floor mats have been around for a long time, the newer crop of 3D molded rubber mats are a worthwhile investment. Most car companies sell these as OEM accessories now, but there is also a number of different aftermarket items that are just as, if not better than OE.
The main benefit of the 3D-type mats is they act more like a tray, containing mud, water and debris within the mat and reducing the amount of vacuuming needed. The same concept applies to cargo mats, especially useful if you go camping or have dogs.
Care and Rejuvenation Tips -
A big bonus regarding rubber mats is their ease of cleaning. Sure, you can blast your carpet mats with a pressure washer to clean them, but you also need to wait for them to dry before reinstallation.
Cleaning rubber mats is pretty simple, you will need a brush, access to water, an appropriate chemical, a towel and a dressing (optional). The key is which brushes, chemicals and dressings to use..............................
Water - I start the cleaning process by doing an initial rinse with water. A garden hose works fine here as its the chemical that does the work here, but a pressure washer will speed the process.
Chemicals - For the most part, rubber floor mats are treated like any other rubber surface. Typically, you want an alkaline cleaner for this role.
A heavy duty all-purpose-cleaner (Megs D101, Koch Chemie Green Star, Carpro MultiX ect) can be used, however I have found them to lack the ultimate ability of a dedicated rubber cleaner. In theory, you can also use a tyre cleaner for this role, in fact, I have found Shine Supply Wise Guy to work well on mats without introducing an unpleasant chemical smell into the interior.
Get Shine Supply Wise Guy Online | Waxit – Waxit Car Care (AUS)
SHINE SUPPLY | Wise Guy Wheel Cleaner | Car Supplies Warehouse (USA)
The best I have used so far has been McKee's Floor Mat and Cargo Liner Rejuvenator. This product foams up under agitation, rinses freely and has a much better ability to deep clean rubber than an APC.
McKee's 37 Floor Mat and Cargo Liner Rejuvenator - 650ml – The Detail Store (AUS)
MCKEE'S 37 | Floor Mat & Cargo Liner Rejuvenator | Car Supplies Warehouse (US)
Whatever chemical you choose, apply generously to your freshly rinsed mats.
Brushes - For a long time, I used a soft wheel brush for agitation.
However, you really need a stiff bristle brush for mats. Again, you are treating these items like any other rubber material, as such you need that stiffer bristle to cut through the grime. The Detail Factory Tire Brush is absolutely brilliant here -
Detail Factory Tyre Brush (detailingshed.com.au) (AUS)
Detail Factory - Tire Scrub Brush | The Rag Company (US)
Use firm to aggressive movements when agitating the mats. Follow this up with a thorough rinse and then leave them to dry in the sun or via compressed air.
Dressing (Optional) - For the most part, you need to be careful what you use so as to not cause a safety hazard. Most rubber or plastic dressings can be used here. In the past, I have used a weak dilution of Carpro Perl or a small amount of 303 Protectant, working the product in and wiping well to prevent slipperiness.
Lately, I have been using Koch Chemie Guf for dressing rubber mats. This product was specifically designed to offer a non-slippery finish while also lifting the overall appearance. (For those in the US, Guf will be available soon.)
Koch-Chemie Gummifix Guf Interior Plastic Care, Non-Slip for Rubber fl (detailingshed.com.au) (AUS)
Spray the product generously and then work it in with a towel. I tend to apply this every few months.
All clean, dry and dressed, re-install back into the vehicle.
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