Painting a rubber floor mat - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

Ozark Tim · 11-07-2014, 10:22 PM

Has anyone ever painted a rubber floor mat to replace an original color keyed mat. The blue on my original is rather faded and I would like to do it right if anyone has suggestions.
Thanks for any help
Tim

**Joesjunk** · 11-07-2014, 10:25 PM

I'm wanting to do this to my truck as well

litew8 · 11-07-2014, 10:52 PM

I almost did. Actually got the vinyl paint mixed and all. Just ran out of time. Still might do it. I did paint my interior door panels and all. Here's a recent pic. Holding up great. More pics in my build thread.

thepenguin99 · 11-07-2014, 10:55 PM

I don't think it would hold up if you drive the truck a lot. Vinyl paint holds up well in spots that aren't heavily trafficked but not so well on areas that are. For example on bucket seats with bolsters that you routinely brush past getting in and out. Lasts for about 1-2 years on those.

litew8 · 11-07-2014, 11:02 PM

What do you think they used at the factory (for the rubber mats)? Not sure I'd paint seats.

70LonghornCST · 11-08-2014, 12:45 AM

I believe, if GM did the same process for its mats as Chrysler, the mats were formed with colored rubber.

BruthaMan · 11-08-2014, 01:40 AM

I've had good luck using Rit dye (yes, the laundry dye) on rubber and plastic, though I've only done it on black trim and rubber.

Anything paint related is not going to hold up. A dye will penetrate the pores and be absorbed where a paint will simply rest on top until disturbed.

Might be worth picking up a bottle and doing a test on the backside of the floor mat (that isn't seen). It might take more than one coat to soak in enough to cover up stains. You can get the basic colors at most supermarkets or Walmarts in the laundry isle. Fabric stores, like JoAnnes, have a larger selection.

**70cst** · 11-08-2014, 02:55 AM

I would agree with others ...Painted rubbber will not last and cracks will soon show up in the paint

**DANTIP** · 11-08-2014, 06:56 AM

I changed a set of floor mats from cream to saddle with vinyl dye and it worked well. You can see wear spots but overall I was surprised how nice it looks and how well they are holding up. If I can remember to do it, Ill post a few pics.

Dan

sboris · 11-08-2014, 11:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 70LonghornCST

I believe, if GM did the same process for its mats as Chrysler, the mats were formed with colored rubber.

Im kind of leaning towards a dye or something. 68 custom mat here, blue on front, black on back, blue wearing off expising black.

litew8 · 11-08-2014, 02:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 70LonghornCST

I believe, if GM did the same process for its mats as Chrysler, the mats were formed with colored rubber.

I'm not sure. Looking at my original colored rubber mat after 40+ years - it's stiff, unlike what you buy today aftermarket - but if it's just aged rubber, I can see that only the top is colored (not colored throughout). Here's a pic of a piece of original floor mat, with original color (arrow pointing to it). It's got a shine to it, unlike rubber. Which is why I think it's a vinyl paint used from the factory.

Comparing the aftermarket black mat (background) to the original mat (foreground, center not outlined areas), you can see how it appears 'filled' or covered with paint vs. the bare rubber aftermarket. The black mat shown is supposedly the same stamp/die used as factory.

Quote:

Originally Posted by 70cst

I would agree with others ...Painted rubbber will not last and cracks will soon show up in the paint

I agree with the cracking. My door panels are vinyl, the vinyl paint adhered well. The floor mat being a rubber has more flex. But, since it lays stationary and not moving, I'd think the vinyl paint would hold well. Especially if covered with another mat for protection.

**leddzepp** · 11-08-2014, 03:09 PM

The OEM factory mat in my 68 is dyed gold over black

bollybib · 11-08-2014, 03:59 PM

Post 3 in this thread refers to the Price and Facts Book where the original floor mats are called "color keyed vinyl coated rubber floor mats". So apparently vinyl was applied over the rubber which made it long lasting. Probably not something one could easily do as a DIY.

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...78#post4336778

mechanicalman · 11-08-2014, 05:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ozark Tim

Has anyone ever painted a rubber floor mat to replace an original color keyed mat. The blue on my original is rather faded and I would like to do it right if anyone has suggestions.
Thanks for any help
Tim

From what I'm reading here, I think I'd first dye it, then paint it.

Ozark Tim · 11-09-2014, 05:55 PM

Thanks for the input.
For sure the factory applied color to black mats. I was thinking that acetone or some other etching chemical added to vinyl paint could do the trick but just not certain.

11-07-2014, 10:22 PM	#1
Ozark Tim Registered User Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Oakville, MO Posts: 1,018	Painting a rubber floor mat Has anyone ever painted a rubber floor mat to replace an original color keyed mat. The blue on my original is rather faded and I would like to do it right if anyone has suggestions. Thanks for any help Tim

11-07-2014, 10:25 PM	#2
Joesjunk Senior Member Join Date: May 2001 Location: Independence MO. Posts: 7,705	Re: Painting a rubber floor mat I'm wanting to do this to my truck as well __________________ 72 3/4t Custom Deluxe 402/auto 66k Original paint 71 3/4t 4x4 Custom Deluxe 10k original miles Original paint 71 3/4t Cheyenne 402 70k original paint 72 3/4t 4x4 Custom deluxe 72 3/4t 4x4 Custom deluxe 91k original paint 72 Cheyenne/30 Dually 69 Camaro SS396 4-speed 13 GMC 2500HD Duramax I bought new 05 Jeep Wrangler "Willys Edition" 12k miles (I bought new) 85 3/4 ton 4x4 Scottsdale 33k miles original paint 86 1 ton 4x4 SRW Silverado 454 restored 80 1 ton 4x4 SRW Silverado 9,434 original miles!! original paint 95 GMC 1 ton dually 4x4 my dad bought new 95 GMC 3/4 ton 4x4, regular cab 454, 31k original miles 2002 2500HD 4x4 regular cab 6.0L 67k miles 2002 2500HD 4x4 regular cab 8.1L 28k miles 2003 GMC 2500HD 4x4 regular cab Diesel 93k miles 67-72 Parts for sale

11-07-2014, 10:52 PM	#3
litew8 Registered User Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Des Moines, Iowa Posts: 3,016	Re: Painting a rubber floor mat I almost did. Actually got the vinyl paint mixed and all. Just ran out of time. Still might do it. I did paint my interior door panels and all. Here's a recent pic. Holding up great. More pics in my build thread. __________________ project: "my happy mess"

11-07-2014, 10:55 PM	#4
thepenguin99 Registered User Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Millington TN Posts: 435	Re: Painting a rubber floor mat I don't think it would hold up if you drive the truck a lot. Vinyl paint holds up well in spots that aren't heavily trafficked but not so well on areas that are. For example on bucket seats with bolsters that you routinely brush past getting in and out. Lasts for about 1-2 years on those.

11-07-2014, 11:02 PM	#5
litew8 Registered User Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Des Moines, Iowa Posts: 3,016	Re: Painting a rubber floor mat What do you think they used at the factory (for the rubber mats)? Not sure I'd paint seats. __________________ project: "my happy mess"

11-08-2014, 12:45 AM	#6
70LonghornCST Moderator Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Modesto, CA Posts: 5,775	Re: Painting a rubber floor mat I believe, if GM did the same process for its mats as Chrysler, the mats were formed with colored rubber. __________________ 2018 Chevy Crew Cab 2006 Impala SS 1965 Plymouth Sport Fury 1970 Chevy Longhorn Bucket Seats Shoulder Belts Front Tow Hooks Factory Air Factory Speedwarning, Tach & Vaccum Factory Tilt CST Package AM/FM Radio Bumper Guards Richard 70 Longhorn CST Build Adding an AM/FM Decal

11-08-2014, 01:40 AM	#7
BruthaMan US Army Veteran Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Central Texas Posts: 1,049	Re: Painting a rubber floor mat I've had good luck using Rit dye (yes, the laundry dye) on rubber and plastic, though I've only done it on black trim and rubber. Anything paint related is not going to hold up. A dye will penetrate the pores and be absorbed where a paint will simply rest on top until disturbed. Might be worth picking up a bottle and doing a test on the backside of the floor mat (that isn't seen). It might take more than one coat to soak in enough to cover up stains. You can get the basic colors at most supermarkets or Walmarts in the laundry isle. Fabric stores, like JoAnnes, have a larger selection. __________________ 1972 C10 Highlander - The making of a daily driver

11-08-2014, 02:55 AM	#8
70cst Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: New Madison, Ohio Posts: 21,373	Re: Painting a rubber floor mat I would agree with others ...Painted rubbber will not last and cracks will soon show up in the paint __________________ A husband can be right...or...A husband can be happy. 67-72 Chevy and GMC Trucks...The Classic Truck for the Classic Folk. 1970 CST Two tone green, 402BB, 400 Automatic, Tach, Buckets, AC, AM-FM, Tilt, GM CB, GM 8 Tract, LWB, etc JOHN 17:3...The better side of "LIFE" Remember: Everyday is a good day...Some are just gooder!

11-08-2014, 06:56 AM	#9
DANTIP Registered User Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Fort Wayne, Indiana, USA Posts: 1,888	Re: Painting a rubber floor mat I changed a set of floor mats from cream to saddle with vinyl dye and it worked well. You can see wear spots but overall I was surprised how nice it looks and how well they are holding up. If I can remember to do it, Ill post a few pics. Dan

11-08-2014, 03:09 PM	#12
leddzepp Moderator Join Date: May 2007 Location: Southern Cal Posts: 20,031	Re: Painting a rubber floor mat The OEM factory mat in my 68 is dyed gold over black __________________ 1972 C/10 Cheyenne Super SWB. Restored, loaded, slammed. 1968 C/10 50th Anniversary LWB. Unrestored, stock, daily driver/work truck. RIP ElJay RIP 67ChevyRedneck RIP Grumpy Old Man RIP FleetsidePaul

11-08-2014, 03:59 PM	#13
bollybib Registered User Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Carlsbad, CA Posts: 1,584	Re: Painting a rubber floor mat Post 3 in this thread refers to the Price and Facts Book where the original floor mats are called "color keyed vinyl coated rubber floor mats". So apparently vinyl was applied over the rubber which made it long lasting. Probably not something one could easily do as a DIY. http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...78#post4336778 __________________ - Jim - My Daily Driver is a 1969 Chevrolet Custom/20 Fleetside 350/TH400/Eaton H052 4.10 and its Project thread is here http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=456911

11-09-2014, 05:55 PM	#15
Ozark Tim Registered User Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Oakville, MO Posts: 1,018	Re: Painting a rubber floor mat Thanks for the input. For sure the factory applied color to black mats. I was thinking that acetone or some other etching chemical added to vinyl paint could do the trick but just not certain.

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