Parking 'Mat' options/ Ideas

[sxk122]

So I don't like to park my car's directly on the floor. I'm worried about hot tire pickup because I have sticky tires, that are often hot.... very hot. Currently, I use the cheap Harbor Freight anti-fatigue mats, in 2 rows to park on. was given a bunch, and bought 2 sets. So I've spent less than $15. Been using this setup for 18 months, and it works ok. The flaws are if i goose it at all, I throw mats all over the place, and occasionally the mats slip apart.

http://sphotos-a.**.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash4/404039_850069816555_1052366066_n.jpg

http://sphotos-a.**.fbcdn.net/hphotos-snc7/320454_864695910745_603325146_n.jpg

I have debated taping the mats together, but I don't know what would hold them together. My best Idea was carpet tape and back it with fabric. My other Idea was to make 4 VCT parking 'mats', perhaps a piece2'x3' or so of 1/4" plywood topped with VCT. Perhaps drill a hole in the floor and use a single pin or something to hold it in place?

Essentially I'm trying to come up with a cheap option that I can move easily because we do use the garage as extra entertaining space during parties.....

 

[Garage Flooring]

The BLT garage floor mats were made for this application

 

[sxk122]

Thanks, I've looked at the BLT mats, and as much as I like them, they are more than I want to spend. Unless I am pricing it wrong, for the 2 cars it would run me $300+ for the least expensive option. Plus, I'm concerned that they would move around just as much as what I'm using now.

 

[Motofixxer]

Strips of those runner entry carpets, or the outdoor carpeting???

 

[bazzateer]

The flaws are if i goose it at all, I throw mats all over the place, and occasionally the mats slip apart.
Essentially I'm trying to come up with a cheap option that I can move easily because we do use the garage as extra entertaining space during parties.....

You've already got the cheapest option and it works. Stick with what you've got and just wait until you're out of the garage before 'goosing' it.

 

[sxk122]

You've already got the cheapest option and it works. Stick with what you've got and just wait until you're out of the garage before 'goosing' it.

I think that really is the key... I'm not used to the ST, maybe that is why I keep flinging mats into the driveway.... I never do that with the miata.....

 

[Burtonrider10022]

Legit question: what is the point of these?

 

[Garage Flooring]

Thanks, I've looked at the BLT mats, and as much as I like them, they are more than I want to spend. Unless I am pricing it wrong, for the 2 cars it would run me $300+ for the least expensive option. Plus, I'm concerned that they would move around just as much as what I'm using now.

Your pricing is about right. The Drymate Garage Floor Mats are less expensive and they are kind of a felt/carpet material.

<<<They will move around>>>

Neither of the products move much. In the rare occasions their is an issue rug gripper works real well.

 

[bdamico]

I can't be the only one who thinks it's sad that you're worried about driving on your floor coating. One of the primary considerations for a garage floor should be that you can park a car on it. And it's not like you got a viper or a cobra with huge really really hot tires. I say just park on it and see what happens. When I lived in Dallas I had epoxy and I worried a bit at first but then just had to get over it and parked my cars on it.

 

[CasesCustoms]

When I had an epoxied floor I would use these all over the place to protect the floor. They are pretty inexpensive, extremely durable, and very heavy. The weight kept them in place and the rubber did not slide well against the clean floor. The rubber is almost like tire material. If you need to cut them, the best way I have found is using a razor blade and a straight edge.

http://www.tractorsupply.com/rubber...reZip=49080&ddkey=http:StoreLocatorSearchView

 

[sxk122]

And it's not like you got a viper or a cobra with huge really really hot tires. I say just park on it and see what happens. When I lived in Dallas I had epoxy and I worried a bit at first but then just had to get over it and parked my cars on it.

Not to sound like a ****, but both cars are on sticky rubber. The Miata has Toyo T1R's but no power. The ST has 250hp and Eagle F1's stock. There was unexpected rain during the drying time frame of my coating install and the area near the rear of the ST suffered from rain splashing on it. I have had issues with adhesion in that corner already with my prior car. I rather not have to patch anywhere else, and the mats make cleaning the floor easier. Also, as I said, with a 1200 sqf home, we use the 480 sqf garage for entertaining space when we have parties. Workbenches get covered and food and drinks go out there. The mats make cleaning the floor easier.

 

[sxk122]

When I had an epoxied floor I would use these all over the place to protect the floor. They are pretty inexpensive, extremely durable, and very heavy. The weight kept them in place and the rubber did not slide well against the clean floor. The rubber is almost like tire material. If you need to cut them, the best way I have found is using a razor blade and a straight edge.

http://www.tractorsupply.com/rubber...reZip=49080&ddkey=http:StoreLocatorSearchView

That cut into 2'x3' sections looks like exactly what I was thinking of........

 

[Burtonrider10022]

Legit question: what is the point of these?

Oh, good question, from reading the responses it appears that these are mostly for epoxy floors, and the "hot pick up" I assume refers to the hot tires causing the epoxy to flake off and look ugly.

 

[Vinci]

I think that really is the key... I'm not used to the ST, maybe that is why I keep flinging mats into the driveway.... I never do that with the miata.....

You probably don't fling mats with the Miata because by the time the drive tires are on the mats, you should be stopped and not on the gas. The Focus is FWD, so you might still be on the gas when coming into the garage. Just a guess.

 

[woodersen]

Wow. A bit ocd much??? Its a car in a garage. Not a loaf of bread in a bag.

 

[Munich77]

Your pricing is about right. The Drymate Garage Floor Mats are less expensive and they are kind of a felt/carpet material.

<<<They will move around>>>

Neither of the products move much. In the rare occasions their is an issue rug gripper works real well.

How do those mats hold up? They look like a great alternative for floor covering.

 

[sxk122]

Wow. A bit ocd much??? Its a car in a garage. Not a loaf of bread in a bag.

Sure


What does a loaf of bread have to do with my floor? I like to keep my garage looking nice because as I stated earlier (had you read), with only a 1200 sqf home, we use the 480 sqf garage for entertaining space when we have parties. Workbenches get covered and food and drinks go out there. I'm happier with my home when the floor looks nice, as opposed to a scabby stained mess. Additionally, the mats make cleaning the floor faster and easier. Lastly, there was unexpected rain during the drying time frame of my coating install and the area near the rear of the left parking spot suffered from rain splashing on it. I have had issues with adhesion in that corner already with my prior car. I rather not have to patch anywhere else, as it never looks as good as the first install. Obviously, such a long paragraph was difficult to read, so I'll break it down in a simpler fashion for you.

For the reading impaired--
-Parties
-Cleaning
-Floor boo-boos (daren't use a more technical term, as it might not be understood)





This is why I shouldn't be allowed online whilst sick and on meds. My ability to deal with poor metaphors and pointless posts is greatly reduced. A

 

[sxk122]

How do those mats hold up? They look like a great alternative for floor covering.

Based on the glowing reviews on TS, well. People have even commented they've used them for interior flooring. I'm hoping to drive out to TS this weekend to grab one to try.

 

[sxk122]

You probably don't fling mats with the Miata because by the time the drive tires are on the mats, you should be stopped and not on the gas. The Focus is FWD, so you might still be on the gas when coming into the garage. Just a guess.

You are probably spot on. The funniest is if I swap directly between cars, and not thinking apply miata gas pedal pressure to the ST, causing the mats to launch out from under the car like Frisbees. (The Miata has a lead foot gas pedal, whereas the ST's requires a feather touch.)

 

[CNGsaves]

Why not sew/stitch all your mats together into one big mat (as possible)??

Then use the double-side tape method every so many inches to hold the mat to the epoxy floor. Or could try those new 3M products that hold things up on wall without damaging the surface?? If those come off without damaging paint, surely they could be used on epoxy floor.

 

[Garage Flooring]

How do those mats hold up? They look like a great alternative for floor covering.

I think they are awesome. I have been selling them for over a decade. They are not perfect, nothing is. They hold up great. If you are one of those folks who wants a perfectly clean floor forever they have a topcoat. I have never top coated mine and have had them forever and they loook fine. I like the 75 Mil because they lay better.

 

[djgcue]

I use the same HF pads in my garage with epoxy floors. I have a C6 Corvette (Non-op) and Ford Edge Sports parked and the pads work great. I'm an **** clean freak and I hate driving rain wet tires directly onto my epoxy makes for a cleaning nightmare.

 

[Munich77]

I think they are awesome. I have been selling them for over a decade. They are not perfect, nothing is. They hold up great. If you are one of those folks who wants a perfectly clean floor forever they have a topcoat. I have never top coated mine and have had them forever and they loook fine. I like the 75 Mil because they lay better.

Sounds like a great option - I am wondering if I could do an entire garage in it. How bad would it be after one winter.

 

[Garage Flooring]

It's done all the time. Great option. I would go with gray or black.

 

[Spudland_Dave]

Wow. A bit ocd much??? Its a car in a garage. Not a loaf of bread in a bag.

This is true...but what brought me to this thread was up here in the North where it snows...the DOT absouletly pounds the Calcium Chloride & Salt on road...after a couple of years your shiny new concrete is trashed because of it. I like the roll up mat idea! I was actually going to look into some cheap linoleum in a somewhat decent color, but these mats might be even better...
If I could get a 10'x20' piece with a small lip all around it, it could be considered heaven!

 

[Garage Flooring]

This is true...but what brought me to this thread was up here in the North where it snows...the DOT absouletly pounds the Calcium Chloride & Salt on road...after a couple of years your shiny new concrete is trashed because of it. I like the roll up mat idea! I was actually going to look into some cheap linoleum in a somewhat decent color, but these mats might be even better...
If I could get a 10'x20' piece with a small lip all around it, it could be considered heaven!

AutoFloorGuard has a stock roll 8.5x18 with a lip. BLT Makes a 10x22 garage floor mat with ribs that contain moisture and road salts and channel them towards the door. You can add a piece of edging to each end for $58 (1 25' piece)

 

[Spudland_Dave]

Thank you Justin! I will most definetly be contacting you next fall...too late this year, plus I'm still doing construction in the garage..but before winter next year I'll be getting 2 of those mats.