Removing mold release from new floor mats
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- 356 Fan
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Removing mold release from new floor mats
I recently got a new set of IM rubber floor mats and they are practically dripping with oily mold release agent. I tried denatured alcohol without much success. IM recommended Armor All (?), kerosene, or gasoline. I never thought of Armor All as a solvent and generally won't take it near my 356 because of the silicone. I saw one old thread on this question which recommended charcoal lighter. Before I start slinging harsh solvents on my new mats has anyone found a better way?
Thanks
Thanks
Gordon Watkins
1963 356B Super Coupe w/912/SC engine
1986 911 Carrera
1963 356B Super Coupe w/912/SC engine
1986 911 Carrera
- Wes Bender
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Re: Removing mold release from new floor mats
3M weatherstrip adhesive remover, p/n 08984.
Some days it's just not worth chewing through the restraints.....
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- 356 Fan
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Re: Removing mold release from new floor mats
Thanks Wes. I actually have some on hand and will give it a try.
Gordon Watkins
1963 356B Super Coupe w/912/SC engine
1986 911 Carrera
1963 356B Super Coupe w/912/SC engine
1986 911 Carrera
- Dan Kalinski
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Re: Removing mold release from new floor mats
Lacquer Thinner.
- Martin Benade
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Re: Removing mold release from new floor mats
I used lacquer thinner but wondered if i was harming the mats a little bit. Its pretty strong. I am surprised IM said gasoline was good. Of course i am not a chemist.
Cleveland Ohio
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- Mike Wilson
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Re: Removing mold release from new floor mats
I'd go with something less volatile. Simple Green perhaps.
Mike
Mike
Mike Wilson
Lomita, CA
'63 B coupe
Lomita, CA
'63 B coupe
- Jim Nelson
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Re: Removing mold release from new floor mats
Lacquer thinner, getting the mold release off is a bigger job than you appreciate when you first start to take it off.
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- 356 Fan
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Re: Removing mold release from new floor mats
Just finished cleaning my mats using suggestions given here. I tried most of the recommendations, except lacquer thinner and Armor All which I didn't have on hand.
3M Adhesive Remover worked great but is a bit pricey at $20/qt. Kerosene also worked and is cheap but stinks. I used it on the back side of the big mat which has a "honeycomb" pattern which would have required lots of 3M. I poured a generous amount of kerosene in the little pockets and let it soak for a few minutes then poured it off and scrubbed it well with soapy water. I also tried a small area using gasoline which worked but is way too noxious.
The big mat was the worst and IM explained that because it's so big lots of mold release is required. The tunnel and rear mats took very little cleaning.
Thanks for the helpful advice. Now I have nice new floor mats!
3M Adhesive Remover worked great but is a bit pricey at $20/qt. Kerosene also worked and is cheap but stinks. I used it on the back side of the big mat which has a "honeycomb" pattern which would have required lots of 3M. I poured a generous amount of kerosene in the little pockets and let it soak for a few minutes then poured it off and scrubbed it well with soapy water. I also tried a small area using gasoline which worked but is way too noxious.
The big mat was the worst and IM explained that because it's so big lots of mold release is required. The tunnel and rear mats took very little cleaning.
Thanks for the helpful advice. Now I have nice new floor mats!
Gordon Watkins
1963 356B Super Coupe w/912/SC engine
1986 911 Carrera
1963 356B Super Coupe w/912/SC engine
1986 911 Carrera
- Jim Clement
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Re: Removing mold release from new floor mats
i just took mine to the car wash and put some soap on it and used the brush, and the power washer..worked okay
- Martin Benade
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Re: Removing mold release from new floor mats
I think the adhesivr remover has benzine in it, which you don’t want on your skin.
Cleveland Ohio
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- Wes Bender
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Re: Removing mold release from new floor mats
You don't want most of the suggested items on your skin. I use the 3M on most cleaning jobs, but wear gloves when I do. Don't know whether it's benzine or naphtha. It smells a bit like charcoal lighter fluid, which I suppose could have been another suggestion for the mold release agent.
Some days it's just not worth chewing through the restraints.....
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- 356 Fan
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Re: Removing mold release from new floor mats
+1 on personal protective gear.
Gordon Watkins
1963 356B Super Coupe w/912/SC engine
1986 911 Carrera
1963 356B Super Coupe w/912/SC engine
1986 911 Carrera
- Bill Waite
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Re: Removing mold release from new floor mats
When I purchased a complete kit of rubber trim for a '67 Sunbeam Tiger I restored... it all came with a very heavy "waxy" mold release. I found that boiling hot water works... just have a rag ready to wipe it quickly off while it is still semi-liquid. I recall that I still used a bit of lacquer thinner after removing most of it... and then I'd recommend 303 Rubber Seal Protectant instead of Armor All.
Bill Waite
Grand Rapids, MI
1965 356C Coupe "Reversible Outlaw"
Grand Rapids, MI
1965 356C Coupe "Reversible Outlaw"
- Ron LaDow
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Re: Removing mold release from new floor mats
I don't touch any solvents without gloves anymore, but one of my customers is an MD specializing in kidney functions (and failures). He advised me to use gloves with green-soap also; the stuff which removes the grease easily passes through the skin and the kidneys have to work really hard to get it out of the blood.
Ron LaDow
www.precisionmatters.biz
www.precisionmatters.biz