rejuvenate rubber mats

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commonone
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rejuvenate rubber mats

Post by commonone »

Searched to no avail. Does anyone know the best way to blacken the rubber flooring in a t3. I've pulled them out and scrubbed them, but once dry, they look crappy grey. Dash looks crap also.

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Re: rejuvenate rubber mats

Post by what2do »

Never done flexible rubber mats but bumpers and hard plastic are a diddle to restore. You need a hot air gun, gently apply heat until you see the plastic darken, then progress to other parts. Nonce it begins to darken it's a bit like spraying with a rattle can only slower if you catch my drift.

Hope this helps, let us know if you have a go.
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commonone
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Re: rejuvenate rubber mats

Post by commonone »

Cheers, will try my heat gun on the plastic dash. Might test bumper ends first.

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Re: rejuvenate rubber mats

Post by what2do »

Good idea, do test a hidden area first.
Why would the glass be anything other than half full?

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Re: rejuvenate rubber mats

Post by gtavalanche »

Tyre treatment works well on rubber mats.
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1664
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Re: rejuvenate rubber mats

Post by 1664 »

Simple (and cheap). Use black shoe polish, the sort you brush on and off. Brush liberally into mat and leave to dry for about an hour. Brush off vigorously and a nice showroom shine will be the result 8)

Trust me :wink:
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Oldiebut goodie
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Re: rejuvenate rubber mats

Post by Oldiebut goodie »

WHS ^^^^^ I have used black shoe polish for car rubber mats for donkey's years, far better than anything else.
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commonone
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Re: rejuvenate rubber mats

Post by commonone »

Thanks for the replies. My wife suggested boot polish........."ok dear" I said to humour her. I will tell her now how clever she is lol.
And for anyone who wants to know, heat gun didnt work for me. I sprayed all the plastic on my last dash, might have to do the same again.

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Re: rejuvenate rubber mats

Post by what2do »

Possibly, the heat gun method only works on thermo plastics, at least we know for future reference.
Why would the glass be anything other than half full?

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commonone
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Re: rejuvenate rubber mats

Post by commonone »

Boot polish works great :ok :ok

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Re: rejuvenate rubber mats

Post by shepster »

This is ace for the mats, just make sure you wear rubber gloves though as it takes ages to get off your fingers!

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/BLACK-TRIM-WA ... 233ac58ad5" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
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Re: rejuvenate rubber mats

Post by syncroandy »

Black wax based products do have their place IMO, they're great for exterior plastics that have gone grey (eg. GTI trim) but on a floor covering, I'm not so sure.. Personally I would use Autoglym Vinyl and Rubber Care, which is pretty much designed for this purpose. It does what is says on the bottle, and dries to a non-tacky finish. Its clear so no risk of black wax getting onto your shoes and then onto the hall carpet !
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Re: rejuvenate rubber mats

Post by mike9009 »

syncroandy wrote:Black wax based products do have their place IMO, they're great for exterior plastics that have gone grey (eg. GTI trim) but on a floor covering, I'm not so sure.. Personally I would use Autoglym Vinyl and Rubber Care, which is pretty much designed for this purpose. It does what is says on the bottle, and dries to a non-tacky finish. Its clear so no risk of black wax getting onto your shoes and then onto the hall carpet !

I would second this. Just done my floor mats (which were filthy) with Autoglym Vinyl and Rubber Care and they look great now. A few applications to get all the grime out of mine.

I am hoping the MOT tester will now take note of how well looked after my van is and it will pass first time later this week!! :D :D

Mike

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Re: rejuvenate rubber mats

Post by commonone »

mike9009 wrote:
syncroandy wrote:Black wax based products do have their place IMO, they're great for exterior plastics that have gone grey (eg. GTI trim) but on a floor covering, I'm not so sure.. Personally I would use Autoglym Vinyl and Rubber Care, which is pretty much designed for this purpose. It does what is says on the bottle, and dries to a non-tacky finish. Its clear so no risk of black wax getting onto your shoes and then onto the hall carpet !

I would second this. Just done my floor mats (which were filthy) with Autoglym Vinyl and Rubber Care and they look great now. A few applications to get all the grime out of mine.

I am hoping the MOT tester will now take note of how well looked after my van is and it will pass first time later this week!! :D :D

Mike

Ha Ha......that's why I'm doing mine,and trying to clean up the engine bay and underneath. First impressions lol.

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pandkh
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Re: rejuvenate rubber mats

Post by pandkh »

Another vote for Autoglym vinyl and rubber. Car detailers rave about that stuff. Back to black also works but leaves the matts very slippy.
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