New life in rubber floot mats

Wayneezy

Wayneezy

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I am wondering if anyone has some insight on how to clean weather-tech floor mats and rubber all season mats.

I usually pressure wash them and use an APC on them but they still look dull when they dry. I was wondering if you have a product you use to make them look new and shiny.

Obviously tire shine or interior protectant will work but im looking for something that will not make them too slippery.

Thanks for the help and happy detailing.
 
Clean with APC as usual. Not too concentrated as it dries out the rubber further. Then you might want to give Duragloss #251 (8oz) or #253 (19oz) Tire and Mat Dressing with rain repel a shot for an inexpensive solution. Spray it on and let dwell for 5 min and then wipe off excess. Semi dry to the touch after a while and not as greasy as most tire dressings.
 
For my non Weather Tech mats I use 303 protectant and never had a slippage problem, so I bet you wouldn't either. At work we'll use Meg's Hyper Dressing and no slippage. And I know my dad uses Meg's Natural Shine on his Weather Tech mats and I've never heard him complain about slippage and he's in and out of his truck a lot.
 
Weathertech now has a non slippery treatment for their floormats. It is on their website under TechCare Floor Liner and Floor Mat Protector. I bought some when I got the new Weathertech mats for my truck in May and it works well. It will not make them really glossy, instead they will have about the same gloss as when new and will not be slippery. Also doesn't attract dust when dry nor have a strong odor. I'm pleased with it.
I clean the mats with an APC and a brush, rinse, dry, then treat with their TechCare and good to go. I even used it on the footboards of my John Deere garden tractor which are made from a similar material.
The price may seem a bit steep to some but it works well, and you get quite a bit of product (39 oz). After using it the past few months that 39 oz will last quite a while although YMMV.
Just some food for thought.
 
I was just about to ask the same question, I just received a set of the weathertech digitech floor mats for my car
 
chris.ganucheau said:
I was just about to ask the same question, I just received a set of the weathertech digitech floor mats for my car
Click to expand...

When I picked up my mats at their store last month, they supplied some samples of their cleaning products but I haven't used them yet.
 
chris.ganucheau said:
I was just about to ask the same question, I just received a set of the weathertech digitech floor mats for my car
Click to expand...

If you are referring to the DigitalFit liners. DigitalFit liners are made of a different material then the regular WeatherTech mats TPO (ThermoPlastic Olefin). I have had them in 5 cars so far and with regular maintenance they maintain a satin finish. Regular cleaning with a mild APC should do the trick. They do tend to get dull in any spots with frequent scuffing after time but I have found no totally effective way to eliminate this. The regular WeatherTech mats get dried out and dull after time. I would refrain from using to harsh a chemical on then as it will speed up the process of deterioration. I have also had more than a few sets of these mats also so I speak from first hand experience.

Quick tip... Weathertech mats (not the liners) seem to wear out rather quickly at the top of the ribs in high traffic areas. simple fix is to clean well, flip over and run a bead of black silicone into the groves of the high traffic parts of the mat. When the mat wears through the silicon keeps it from completely wearing through. This can be done before or after they wear through as it also forms a pretty tough bond with the mat. I made my first pair last 13 years that way.
 
I had the same as the op. every time I cleaned my mats they would be very dull and never really look clean. I used a steamer and everything just wiped off. NO SCRUBBING it was amazing how easy and how clean they staid.
 
I know this is an older thread, but anyone else chime in. I have cleaned a few work trucks and have issues getting them back to black and not looking dull.
I am referring to the digital fit liners
 
I've had my WeatherTech floor liners (digital fit version) since April 2008 in my van - that's almost 7 years old. Nothing but Optimum Power Clean (1:3 or 1:10 depending on dirt level) and a nylon brush have touched them in all these years, once every month or so. Rinsed off with a hose and air-dried. They always look new and have that satin sheen to them after each wash.

When I remember, I'll take pics after the next wash. Never had the problem of them looking dull, so maybe consistency is the key. Don't let them go too dirty for too long.
 
WP_20141230_11_00_17_Pro.jpg



AFTER

APC (10:1)

Blue Cyclo Brush on PC, Speed 5

Rinse with hose

Spray with Megs Natural Shine Protectant (1:1)

Blow off with exhaust from vacuum, using concentrator nozzle


WP_20141230_13_35_36_Pro.jpg



Machine scrubbing is a huge time saver and the results are better too


I mixed up the mats when taking the photo. Both front mats were equally soiled
 
1Z has a vinyl and rubber cleaner/protector that is supposed to last awhile. I've never used it though. It's said it will darken plastics/rubber.
 
allenk4 said:
WP_20141230_11_00_17_Pro.jpg



AFTER

APC (10:1)

Blue Cyclo Brush on PC, Speed 5

Rinse with hose

Spray with Megs Natural Shine Protectant (1:1)

Blow off with exhaust from vacuum, using concentrator nozzle


WP_20141230_13_35_36_Pro.jpg



Machine scrubbing is a huge time saver and the results are better too


I mixed up the mats when taking the photo. Both front mats were equally soiled
Click to expand...
I was looking for experience with the digital liners, not the mats. That does look nice though.

expdetailing said:
1Z has a vinyl and rubber cleaner/protector that is supposed to last awhile. I've never used it though. It's said it will darken plastics/rubber.
Click to expand...
hmmm hopefully someone who's used it will chime in
 
dwolson2 said:
I was looking for experience with the digital liners, not the mats. That does look nice though.


hmmm hopefully someone who's used it will chime in
Click to expand...

What are the significant differences between the "digital liners" and rubber/plastic floor mats?
 
allenk4 said:
What are the significant differences between the "digital liners" and rubber/plastic floor mats?
Click to expand...
Different material. The digital perform better, but the rubber are easier to clean.

allenk4 said:
Since these Weather Tech Digital Liners are very different from any other similar floor protection, you should follow the manufacturers cleaning instructions very carefully

WeatherTech® TechCare® - FloorLiner™ and Floor Mat Cleaner | WeatherTech.com

Apparently, they require a very special cleaner and Protectant

Make sure to carefully watch the video on the website linked above
Click to expand...
I've seen that stuff, but I've read elsewhere that its simply degreaser. Ford's call for motocraft 5w-20, but you can use other oils in their cars. I was hoping for alternatives to their product since the reviews of it are mixed.
 
dwolson2 said:
Different material. The digital perform better, but the rubber are easier to clean.


I've seen that stuff, but I've read elsewhere that its simply degreaser. Ford's call for motocraft 5w-20, but you can use other oils in their cars. I was hoping for alternatives to their product since the reviews of it are mixed.
Click to expand...

How different are the materials and how does this affect what products and methods are suggested for their proper cleaning?

You asked for alternatives and have been given several.

Here are additional suggestions via the Forum Search function:

Auto Geek Online Auto Detailing Forum - Search Results
 
allenk4 said:
How different are the materials and how does this affect what products and methods are suggested for their proper cleaning?

You asked for alternatives and have been given several.

Here are additional suggestions via the Forum Search function:

Auto Geek Online Auto Detailing Forum - Search Results
Click to expand...

The digital fit are High-Density Tri-Extruded( a plastic ish material) the ones you showed are more rubber. The rubber I have used products desined for tires on, but they don't work on the digital.

I've been looking online for around 5 hours today, and most searches say APC. I have tried it many times, but its not up to my standard.
 
dwolson2 said:
The digital fit are High-Density Tri-Extruded( a plastic ish material) the ones you showed are more rubber. The rubber I have used products desined for tires on, but they don't work on the digital.

I've been looking online for around 5 hours today, and most searches say APC. I have tried it many times, but its not up to my standard.
Click to expand...

WOW!

Looking.forward to the full "Show & Shine" featuring you floor mats

Please take lots of picture, including before, after, in the car, out in the sun and a few sexy wet shots of them laying provocatively on the driveway
 
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