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Rubber mat cleaning

scootsity5

scootsity5

AK Subscriber
Subscriber
Hello all

The most comprehensive thread I've found discussing how to best clean and restore ancient rubber turntable mats is now over a decade old. So, I thought it might be a good idea to discuss it in a new thread, and to see if anyone had new advice. The prevailing wisdom in 2011 was cover the mat in dawn (or equivalent) dish soap over night, scrub with a scrub brush. And, maybe use a meguire's rubber product that is no longer on the market.

I've followed all (but the meguire's) instructions with mixed results. I initially used a thick mix of Alconox (lab soap), which seemed to remove more surface crap than dawn, but perhaps darkened the rubber less. The mat I'm currently working on continues to have a weird sheen and I'm considering lightly wet sanding with 600-800 grit. I've also reached out to meguire's for an update and will post their comments if/when I get a response.

So, any updates on your rubber mat restoration techniques?
 
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For whatever it's worth, I like Griot rubber cleaning and dressing products, for my car. Cleans well and dressing doesn't leave residue like other commercial products.
 
I always go the old-fashioned route. White vinegar cleans about everything, including scum from coffee pots. I'd try soaking the mat in the vinegar for awhile and see what happens.
 
If you have a mat that looks relatively clean but once rubbed with a finger goes grey or whitish the outer
layer of the compound is breaking down.
I have successfully brought back a particularly nice OEM mat using the rubber renew product
it was a lot of work with multiple applications needed and in some cases buying a replacement is an easy option.
 
On mats where the dish detergent soak method still leaves them gray and / or splotchy, I've had very good results with Mother's Back to Black. It's an automotive trim restoration product carried by most auto parts stores. When dry, it leaves no residue or sheen.
 
So here's where I'm at, I did the dawn/alconox thing. Got the surface clean. Then, I used scotch bright pads to clean more. One of the previous owners must have been a smoker. Woof. Scrubbing left some minor scratches, and it was still a little shiny/oxidized. So, I lightly wet sanded starting with 600 grit, working my way up to 1000 grit. It looks new, dark black and took appreciably no time. For mats that are relatively flat, I'd strongly recommend light sanding.
 
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