1950 Ford Custom, Ready to install black diamond plate rubber matting in my ride. The heat/sound part was easy. Can you guys direct me to a thread or some advise on this part of the job? Looks like some close and precise cutting is in order. Never done this before and want to try and keep from screwing the pooch on this. As always, any help is appreciated.
I've never done it, an idea would be to go to a fabric store and get some felt, or heavy fabric, should be 36 inches on the roll and use that as a template. Cut your diamond mat a little large and make final cuts in the car. Make plenty of reference lines on the floor and felt and rubber mat. Maybe even grid the floor.
And just a thought......Maybe a cheapy HF heat gun for a lil persuasion in some places, and something that has weight=IE some old weights from a bench press,or anything similar to hold shape. Wise idea above^^^^^ to cut a dummy pattern first before you cut into the good stuff...... Even the pro's that do auto carpet have to make cut's...........
Some good ideas above for starters. Probably going to do it in two pieces. The back section looks like it will be easier. It's just the pedals and trans inspection cover that will be a little more of a challenge. Measure ten times, cut once....................
Clear vinyl is the easiest to make patterns with as you can obviously see through it and mark what needs to be marked very accurately. It is usually available at fabric stores in different weights.
Okay, got some clear vinyl, made a template. Looked pretty straight forward, not! I cut out 3 holes for pedals and MC cover. It was an epic fail. Nothing lined up, reminded me of a monkey*****ging a football. So now I'm thinking of just getting a vinyl mat from Mac's. Has anybody here purchased one and how did it come out? I attached a couple of pic's for the comedy factor.
Was the problem transferring the hole pattern, or the diamond plate material not being flexible enough to go over the trans tunnel? Check out "rubber floor runner" it's more flexible than the diamond plate and has either a lined or stipple pattern that closer matches a factory floor mat. It usually comes in 4 foot widths. Carpet stores have it, not sure if home depot carries it.
Have you tried a heat gun on the vinyl? It may soften/ shrink it. Or maybe not, but better than throwing it out.
It was transferring the hole pattern. The rubber mat is perfect thickness, very pliable. I'm going to give it another try. For a old man, its just an awkward area to work in where the pedals are. I'm not going to throw it out. I have other uses for it, so it won't go to waste. The problem is getting pedal holes to line up. Old eyes, old bones, old man, but not giving up. I was going to do it in two pieces, but will do it in three now. It will still look okay. I will use a heat gun to conform to floor.
Well, I finished my floor matting today. I decided to do the toe board area in carpet. Easier to conform and manipulate. It looks pretty good, nothing like a pro could do though. The overlap in the middle area is where the seat goes (hidden) Good learning experience and happy the way it came out. Thanks much for the advice.
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