Modifying Auto Floor Guard for drainage hole?

[wookinpanub]

Have been looking at containment mats that can hold the snow melt here in Colorado. My garage floor has a drain hole under the engine bay area where I park, but the slope to it doesn't extend around the entire vehicle so a lot of the melt drains towards the door

My thought is to use this for containment, and as a funnel to that drain hole. So I am looking at alternatives on how to make a 3" circular hole in this material above that drain hole without it fraying or compromising the integrity of the mat in general.

They can make me a custom mat, but for an extra $120 just to add that drain hole - so I'm looking for recommendations on a DIY option to do a similar thing.

Thanks!

 

[GMBracing]

use a hot knife to seal the edge as you go or after you cut it seal it with something like a soldering iron

 

[Garage Flooring]

Have been looking at containment mats that can hold the snow melt here in Colorado. My garage floor has a drain hole under the engine bay area where I park, but the slope to it doesn't extend around the entire vehicle so a lot of the melt drains towards the door

My thought is to use this for containment, and as a funnel to that drain hole. So I am looking at alternatives on how to make a 3" circular hole in this material above that drain hole without it fraying or compromising the integrity of the mat in general.

They can make me a custom mat, but for an extra $120 just to add that drain hole - so I'm looking for recommendations on a DIY option to do a similar thing.

Thanks!

I believe you chatted in on Thursday or Friday about this issue to my office. You spoke with Sami who provided you a quote on having it done at the factory and also advised that we could not instruct you on how to do it on your own.

At this moment that still remains the case. However, I am concerned with the idea of having advice floating around, other than the manufacturer.

As I am typing this post, I received an answer.

First, the Price difference: All custom mats are American Made in Toledo. The mat would be full custom, charged at the custom price plus extra for the hole.

Second, cutting the mat in any way, shape or form voids your warranty. That said, the manufacturer feels it is not generally possible to get the heat weld they would do at the plant on someones garage. They believe the best method would be to cut and X over the drain. Then Use Tear-Aid for PVC and outline the cuts, top and bottom, making sure it extends past the end of each slit -- where the material is most likely to tear further.

PLEASE understand that in doing this you do so at your own risk.

I HAVE NOT personally tried this. I do have the Tear Aid in stock and I know it works well for incidental tears. I have just never used it lit this. If I was going to try this in my own garage I would be tempted to teak it a step further and fold the Tear-Aid over the cut itself so that a single piece was adhered on the top and the bottom. Again, NEVER TESTED.

The ultimate solution for a garage with drainage would be the ribbed garage tiles.