Making a Mat Last

[pwschuh]

I use vinyl parking mats to catch stuff falling off of my vehicles (water, slush, dirt, leaves, rust, misc nuts and bolts ). They usually last about 4 or 5 years.

Obviously I need to be careful to make sure the floor is completely free of debris before putting them down and then keeping the tops generally clean, but other than that, what do you do to make your parking mats last longer?

One thing I have noticed is that the heat of the tires of a just driven car has a tendency over time to cause the mat to pucker and thin out underneath the tire spots. In the past I have purchased 4 cheap rubber door mats to put down on the tire spots to insulate the mat from this heat. Any better ideas?

 

[Fish-man]

I had some before getting my floor done. I used them only in the winter months. Used them for 10y or so, and other than looking dirty and stained, no degradation. I think it helps to not turn the steering wheel on them, as it wrinkles. I also cut mine in half, so that the front axle was parked on its own section separately from the rear. I think that relieved any tension in the mat.... it also made it easier to drag them outside to clean.

 

[Shea]

I use vinyl parking mats to catch stuff falling off of my vehicles (water, slush, dirt, leaves, rust, misc nuts and bolts ). They usually last about 4 or 5 years.

Obviously I need to be careful to make sure the floor is completely free of debris before putting them down and then keeping the tops generally clean, but other than that, what do you do to make your parking mats last longer?

One thing I have noticed is that the heat of the tires of a just driven car has a tendency over time to cause the mat to pucker and thin out underneath the tire spots. In the past I have purchased 4 cheap rubber door mats to put down on the tire spots to insulate the mat from this heat. Any better ideas?

What brand of polyvinyl mat are you purchasing? There is a big difference in quality between U.S. mats and those overseas. Most U.S. mats use 100% polyvinyl while overseas brands use fillers.

 

[pwschuh]

What brand of polyvinyl mat are you purchasing? There is a big difference in quality between U.S. mats and those overseas. Most U.S. mats use 100% polyvinyl while overseas brands use fillers.

Current one is AFG - Auto Floor Guard.

 

[Shea]

Current one is AFG - Auto Floor Guard.

OK, that is a winter containment mat. They are designed to be used in winter only to catch snow, melting ice, and other liquids. They are not intended as a year-round parking mat. They use a thin waterproof polyester scrim fabric so that they can be rolled up and stored away for 3 seasons out of the year. That is why they are wearing out in 4 to 5 years.

 

[pwschuh]

That's WAY too much work, plus my truck drips rain, dirt, and/or leaves the other three seasons of the year. As usual, I've picked up 4 rubber door mats to place on the tire spots to insulate from the heat.