Tips for flattening out trunk mat

Matt · 11-20-2009, 02:04 AM

When I got the car a few weeks ago, my trunk mat was not flat, with a few bumps and whatnot in it. I took it that night and laid all my books in the house on it, in the living room. It still didn't perfectly flatten it out.

Any other way to flatten it?

schrute · 11-20-2009, 02:06 AM

Heat gun, then the books again?

SpawnAeroJohn · 11-20-2009, 03:48 AM

^ That might work but I think you'd attract a local cat that wants a warm place to lay down on first.

You want to get it steamed or steam it yourself. Iron it. Steam Iron if you can. If that doesn’t work turn on your shower on super hot and let it steam up. Or a bath. Then hang it over the water but try not to get it wet.

Bubbles in the bath are optional but not necessary.

Matt · 11-20-2009, 03:54 AM

Haha @ bubbles being optional!

I have a steam cleaner, I'll definitely try that in the morning. Thanks!

vipor · 11-20-2009, 09:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SpawnAeroJohn

^ That might work but I think you'd attract a local cat that wants a warm place to lay down on first.

You want to get it steamed or steam it yourself. Iron it. Steam Iron if you can. If that doesn’t work turn on your shower on super hot and let it steam up. Or a bath. Then hang it over the water but try not to get it wet.

Bubbles in the bath are optional but not necessary.

I have this same problem. I've been flipping it over from time to time to help it flatten out. Small help, but not too much.

370Zsteve · 11-20-2009, 10:09 AM

Steam it. Then let it dry on a flat surface. No weight/books on top.

My wife's an interior designer, I install area rugs all the time. Rug manufacturers always say "do not force the rug flat, let gravity do it over time". Putting the books on top was a bad thing.

Something about breaking fibers.

Matt · 11-20-2009, 10:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 370Zsteve

Steam it. Then let it dry on a flat surface. No weight/books on top.

My wife's an interior designer, I install area rugs all the time. Rug manufacturers always say "do not force the rug flat, let gravity do it over time". Putting the books on top was a bad thing.

Something about breaking fibers.

I'm stuck with steam ironing it, as my steam cleaner is at a friend's house for an undetermined amount of time (read: they never return stuff).

We'll see how it goes. I guess I should be using the lowest heat, and highest steam?

370Zsteve · 11-20-2009, 10:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Matt

I'm stuck with steam ironing it, as my steam cleaner is at a friend's house for an undetermined amount of time (read: they never return stuff).

We'll see how it goes. I guess I should be using the lowest heat, and highest steam?

IRON = FTL = NYLON = MELT

Matt · 11-20-2009, 10:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 370Zsteve

IRON = FTL = NYLON = MELT

Well crap. I guess I"m stuck waiting for the steam cleaner.

kenchan · 11-20-2009, 01:48 PM

funny you mention, matt... my car came with one too but since i couldn't flatten it it's in my basement somewhere.

saves weight too.

Matt · 11-20-2009, 01:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kenchan

funny you mention, matt... my car came with one too but since i couldn't flatten it it's in my basement somewhere.

saves weight too.

I'd almost rather not have it in the trunk unless it's flat.

280z/300zx · 11-20-2009, 01:53 PM

Kind of late in the year for this idea but if you can wait until summer it will flatten out with nml temps of the car. When I bought my Z the mat was rolled up so you can imagine how it laid out when I unrolled it. All I did was place it under the stock non-upgraded mat that came with the car and let it sit that way for a couple days. Sits flat as it should. Perhaps you can do the same and just park the for next few days out in the sun as much as possible, may take longer than mine did as it's not as hot anymore.

Matt · 11-20-2009, 01:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 280z/300zx

Kind of late in the year for this idea but if you can wait until summer it will flatten out with nml temps of the car. When I bought my Z the mat was rolled up so you can imagine how it laid out when I unrolled it. All I did was place it under the stock non-upgraded mat that came with the car and let it sit that way for a couple days. Sits flat as it should. Perhaps you can do the same and just park the for next few days out in the sun as much as possible, may take longer than mine did as it's not as hot anymore.

It might work still, should be in the 70s for another couple weeks. Thanks!

vivalaReagan · 11-20-2009, 07:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 280z/300zx

Kind of late in the year for this idea but if you can wait until summer it will flatten out with nml temps of the car. When I bought my Z the mat was rolled up so you can imagine how it laid out when I unrolled it. All I did was place it under the stock non-upgraded mat that came with the car and let it sit that way for a couple days. Sits flat as it should. Perhaps you can do the same and just park the for next few days out in the sun as much as possible, may take longer than mine did as it's not as hot anymore.

+1. this is exactly what i did and it worked after a couple of days in the sun.
.

antennahead · 11-20-2009, 10:40 PM

This must be a universal problem, as mine is lumpy from where it was folded in shipment also. It sat through all summer in the hi heat we have here, and never straightened out. It does get on your nerves. Anyone find an easy fix let us know.

John

11-20-2009, 02:04 AM	#1 (permalink)
Matt A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Augusta, GA Age: 41 Posts: 1,680 Drives: 2010 Avalanche LT Rep Power: 19	Tips for flattening out trunk mat When I got the car a few weeks ago, my trunk mat was not flat, with a few bumps and whatnot in it. I took it that night and laid all my books in the house on it, in the living room. It still didn't perfectly flatten it out. Any other way to flatten it? __________________ "Any man who can drive a 370z while kissing a pretty girl is simply not giving the Z the attention it deserves." Albert Einstein....modified.

11-20-2009, 02:06 AM	#2 (permalink)
schrute Track Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: utah Posts: 781 Drives: my z every day Rep Power: 17	Heat gun, then the books again? __________________ my journal \| 2009 370z touring \| 6mt \| platinum graphite \| my album second skin \| mr works \| fast intentions \| ssr \| eibach \| hotchkis \| spc \| toyo \| bluebatmobile \| v-led \| jwt \| ventureshield \| tinted tails

11-20-2009, 03:54 AM	#4 (permalink)
Matt A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Augusta, GA Age: 41 Posts: 1,680 Drives: 2010 Avalanche LT Rep Power: 19	Haha @ bubbles being optional! I have a steam cleaner, I'll definitely try that in the morning. Thanks! __________________ "Any man who can drive a 370z while kissing a pretty girl is simply not giving the Z the attention it deserves." Albert Einstein....modified.

11-20-2009, 10:09 AM	#6 (permalink)
370Zsteve A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Gold Coast CT Posts: 10,599 Drives: 2019 Corvette G.S. Rep Power: 43	Steam it. Then let it dry on a flat surface. No weight/books on top. My wife's an interior designer, I install area rugs all the time. Rug manufacturers always say "do not force the rug flat, let gravity do it over time". Putting the books on top was a bad thing. Something about breaking fibers. __________________ SOLD MY Z MARCH 2018 - another Core OG moves on - new ride 2019 Z Corvette Grand Sport - no mods necessary but already have eyes on HFC and intakes LOL IT NEVER ENDS.

11-20-2009, 10:40 PM	#15 (permalink)
antennahead A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Charleston, SC Posts: 15,181 Drives: '07 Z4 "M" Roadster Rep Power: 57	This must be a universal problem, as mine is lumpy from where it was folded in shipment also. It sat through all summer in the hi heat we have here, and never straightened out. It does get on your nerves. Anyone find an easy fix let us know. John __________________ *Time is a companion, who goes with us on the journey, and reminds us to cherish every moment............ because it will never come again*

11-20-2009, 03:48 AM	#3 (permalink)
SpawnAeroJohn NOT A CURRENT VENDOR Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Chicago Posts: 609 Drives: you Rep Power: 17	^ That might work but I think you'd attract a local cat that wants a warm place to lay down on first. You want to get it steamed or steam it yourself. Iron it. Steam Iron if you can. If that doesn’t work turn on your shower on super hot and let it steam up. Or a bath. Then hang it over the water but try not to get it wet. Bubbles in the bath are optional but not necessary.

11-20-2009, 01:48 PM	#10 (permalink)
kenchan A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: N/A Posts: 76,801 Drives: N/A Rep Power: 141521	funny you mention, matt... my car came with one too but since i couldn't flatten it it's in my basement somewhere. saves weight too.

11-20-2009, 01:53 PM	#12 (permalink)
280z/300zx Track Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Nevada Posts: 689 Drives: 280z, 300zx, Vette Rep Power: 272	Kind of late in the year for this idea but if you can wait until summer it will flatten out with nml temps of the car. When I bought my Z the mat was rolled up so you can imagine how it laid out when I unrolled it. All I did was place it under the stock non-upgraded mat that came with the car and let it sit that way for a couple days. Sits flat as it should. Perhaps you can do the same and just park the for next few days out in the sun as much as possible, may take longer than mine did as it's not as hot anymore.

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