Repairing a Rubber Floor Covering?

[treefoil]

Does anyone have any experience with repairing tears in old rubber floor covers. I'm sure there are products/glues out there to do it but I'm at a loss which to choose at this point. I'd like to keep the old one in the truck just because....

[hugger6933]

Could it be as simple as grey duct tape on the back side of the tear? That is what pops into mind as soon as I read this. Jim

[Dave K.]

I backed mine with some rubber and Gorilla glue.

[treefoil]

I like the duct tape idea...maybe even spring for a new roll of Gorilla tape. I'm wondering how Gorilla glue sticks to rubber. I've only used it for wood to this point.

[trac209]

Years ago on a truck I had I used vulcanizing glue and an old tire tube. From underneath of course. I did use some tape to hold it while the glue set. The repair was real solid

[treefoil]

Hey trac209...been in your great city many times...done some business there. I've been thinking over your suggestion and will test that. I had originally been thinking about mending the tears with some type of special glue but so far everyone has gone with backing them with some type of material and I see the wisdom in that. That will definitely be in the fix.

[treefoil]

Update: I tried the tire patch idea but it didn't stick to the mat very well. I ended up using super glue to butt join the cracks. This had varied results. I also backed the cracks after gluing with Gorilla tape. I noticed the problem with cracking comes from the mat's shrinking. I'm still wondering about an adhesive that might be more pliable and stick like crazy to this rubber material...these mats new are expensive so being able to repair your old one well would be worth dropping $20 or so on a killer glue product.

[Grumpy old man]

back the cracks with the gorilla tape ,then use black 100 % silicone in a caulking gun if you clean the area with acetone or lac thinner and then use a hair dryer to warm the area and place just enough to fill the cracks again warming it will help the silicone flow into the cracks allow to dry and repeat if needed . to make it look brand new you could clean the entire floor and wipe down with lac thinner and go to your local auto parts store and get some semi gloss or satin finish plastic paint ,Use VERY light dusting coats and it will last a long time .