Removing mold release from new floor mats

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Gordon Watkins
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Removing mold release from new floor mats

#1 Post by Gordon Watkins »

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
Gordon Watkins
1963 356B Super Coupe w/912/SC engine
1986 911 Carrera

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Wes Bender
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Re: Removing mold release from new floor mats

#2 Post by Wes Bender »

3M weatherstrip adhesive remover, p/n 08984.
Some days it's just not worth chewing through the restraints.....

Gordon Watkins
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Re: Removing mold release from new floor mats

#3 Post by Gordon Watkins »

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

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Dan Kalinski
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Re: Removing mold release from new floor mats

#4 Post by Dan Kalinski »

Lacquer Thinner.

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Martin Benade
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Re: Removing mold release from new floor mats

#5 Post by Martin Benade »

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.
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Mike Wilson
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Re: Removing mold release from new floor mats

#6 Post by Mike Wilson »

I'd go with something less volatile. Simple Green perhaps.

Mike
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Jim Nelson
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Re: Removing mold release from new floor mats

#7 Post by Jim Nelson »

Lacquer thinner, getting the mold release off is a bigger job than you appreciate when you first start to take it off.

Gordon Watkins
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Re: Removing mold release from new floor mats

#8 Post by Gordon Watkins »

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!
Gordon Watkins
1963 356B Super Coupe w/912/SC engine
1986 911 Carrera

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Jim Clement
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Re: Removing mold release from new floor mats

#9 Post by Jim Clement »

i just took mine to the car wash and put some soap on it and used the brush, and the power washer..worked okay
 

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Martin Benade
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Re: Removing mold release from new floor mats

#10 Post by Martin Benade »

I think the adhesivr remover has benzine in it, which you don’t want on your skin.
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Wes Bender
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Re: Removing mold release from new floor mats

#11 Post by Wes Bender »

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.....

Gordon Watkins
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Re: Removing mold release from new floor mats

#12 Post by Gordon Watkins »

+1 on personal protective gear.
Gordon Watkins
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1986 911 Carrera

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Bill Waite
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Re: Removing mold release from new floor mats

#13 Post by Bill Waite »

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"

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Ron LaDow
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Re: Removing mold release from new floor mats

#14 Post by Ron LaDow »

Gordon Watkins wrote: Mon Apr 22, 2019 10:01 am +1 on personal protective gear.
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

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