Hi everyone,
`
I own an 84 VW GTI and I`m trying to find good period correct floormats for it. `The problem is that naturally anything 30 years old is going to likely show some wear and tear and I don`t want to buy a set of generic "one size fit`s all" mats from Walmart.
`
So there`s a few different styles of vintage mats that I have seen in either predominantly rubber or rubber with colored carpet inserts. `None of them are generally your typical carpet floor mats.
`
I like the rubber style ones to a certain degree because they tend to either include raised "Volkwagen" lettering or a rabbit logo. `
So what I`m wondering is how can I "deep clean" an old rubber floormat to remove any deeply embedded dirt, road salt, etc?
`
Is there any particular cleaners, (along with a steamer I`m guessing) that would really lift the dirt?
`
If a cleaner fails to work on them would an interior dye like VHT or SEM Colorcoat actually impregnate into the rubber and nut just rub off or scuff easily? `I know they are supposed to be a flexible coating and more of a dye then a paint but I`m concerned about how much flex the mats would get and how much scuffing I would do to them with my feet.
`
Here`s a picture of a set of mats I am considering right now:
`
`
`
And a close up of the surface:
`
`
`
As you can see these don`t "just need a good cleaning" like the seller says, they are FILTHY. `Chalky discoloration in the grain, what looks like rust, etc. `They should be dark blue. `
If I can restore these to a decent uniform color or dye them to a similar shade I would consider buying them. `I`m already planning on having some SEM Color Coat custom mixed to dye some of my interior parts to restore those so if that would work on these as well I would use it. `
`
Any advice would be greatly appreciated!
Bookmarks