Hosing out rubber matted cab - thoughts?
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Junior User
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From: Pacific Wonderland
Hosing out rubber matted cab - thoughts?
Growing up on the farm, dad would simply take a hose, and hose out the floor of his 70s Ford pickups...
I've just acquired a low mileage 73', with the original mat in preemo shape. It could use a good scrubbing, and I'm temped to take it out, however, since it's almost 40 year old rubber, and pretty stiff feeling, I'm afraid I'd just end up tearing it = bad idea.
My next thought would be to wet it, scrub it, and rinse it in place. Then take off the chrome along the bottom of the door jamb, and make sure it's dry under the edge...
It's forecast to be near 90 the next couple days, and things should dry fairly rapidly.
Thoughts?
I've just acquired a low mileage 73', with the original mat in preemo shape. It could use a good scrubbing, and I'm temped to take it out, however, since it's almost 40 year old rubber, and pretty stiff feeling, I'm afraid I'd just end up tearing it = bad idea.
My next thought would be to wet it, scrub it, and rinse it in place. Then take off the chrome along the bottom of the door jamb, and make sure it's dry under the edge...
It's forecast to be near 90 the next couple days, and things should dry fairly rapidly.
Thoughts?
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From: Wingo, Ky
Im my opinion it is not a good idea. If it really is the stock mat it needs to come out so the floor can be preped and protected. There is a good chance that there is already atleast surface rust maybe even small pin holes.
Part of it depends on where the truck has been all its life.
Part of it depends on where the truck has been all its life.
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Joined: May 2010
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I agree with Blake, Until you sneak a peak you won't know. Some near perfect looking rigs can have pin holes up the wazzoo under the mat. and in any case why not lift it up do you wet light scrub to keep it nice and clean prep an paint/seal that floor up for many years of care free driven. You will always know what it looks like underneath.
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From: Okie
I used to do the same thing in a 96 F150 I had. Part of the reason I decided to sell it came when I looked under the mat. Sold it to a horse farm, and the mexican boys had the whole truck destroyed in 6 months, so the rust under the mat was the least of the problems.
When I was in high school, I worked as a car detailer behind a group of dealerships. We would dunk the scub brush in the soapy water, scrub everything - seats, mats, carpet, door panels - not enough to leave standing water, but just enough to get the job done. It was immediatley followed by some serious shop vac'ing. Then we'd set it out all day in th esun with the doors open.
I would suggest a soapy scrub brush, elbow grease and a shop vac.
When I was in high school, I worked as a car detailer behind a group of dealerships. We would dunk the scub brush in the soapy water, scrub everything - seats, mats, carpet, door panels - not enough to leave standing water, but just enough to get the job done. It was immediatley followed by some serious shop vac'ing. Then we'd set it out all day in th esun with the doors open.
I would suggest a soapy scrub brush, elbow grease and a shop vac.
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From: Pacific Wonderland
I believe it's spent most of it's life under a "car port", as I was told when purchasing from the original buyer's family. Shows that, as far as cab condition, including dash pad, rust free fenders and doors, original paint, etc. The only real glitch in the truck is: Grandpa has a 5th wheel plate in the bed, and moisture under that managed to rot the bed through, but that's another story...
Anyway, here's a couple photos which may help...
Anyway, here's a couple photos which may help...
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From: Wingo, Ky
I believe it's spent most of it's life under a "car port", as I was told when purchasing from the original buyer's family. Shows that, as far as cab condition, including dash pad, rust free fenders and doors, original paint, etc. The only real glitch in the truck is: Grandpa has a 5th wheel plate in the bed, and moisture under that managed to rot the bed through, but that's another story...
Anyway, here's a couple photos which may help...
Anyway, here's a couple photos which may help...
I pulled it all out, sanded it, wire brushed it. Then sprayed it down with rust converter. Then spayed it with bed liner several times until it became very thick. Then installed new factory color carpet.
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From: Stanley, VA
Rinsing the mat with a hose could be a big mistake. Underneath the rubber mat should be jute padding. If this gets wet (and it will) it will hold the moisture and the moisture won't stay just along the edge. It will migrate through the entire pad and won't dry. The floor pan will start to rust out from the inside.
I have a truck right now that the same thing happened to. From underneath the floor pan looks perfect, I pulled the rubber floor mat up (it was original and yes it cracked and ripped when I lifted it but then I knew I was going to replace it and wasn't particularly careful), the jute pad was soaking wet. The floor pan was rusted bad with scaly rust in several places. I talked to the PO he said he always "just hosed 'er out and let 'er dry" he also added that it had probably been six months since the last time he did it.
So, speaking from personal experience, I agree with the others, scrub it and wipe it down with clean water and wipe it dry.
PS: I agree, really nice interior.
I have a truck right now that the same thing happened to. From underneath the floor pan looks perfect, I pulled the rubber floor mat up (it was original and yes it cracked and ripped when I lifted it but then I knew I was going to replace it and wasn't particularly careful), the jute pad was soaking wet. The floor pan was rusted bad with scaly rust in several places. I talked to the PO he said he always "just hosed 'er out and let 'er dry" he also added that it had probably been six months since the last time he did it.
So, speaking from personal experience, I agree with the others, scrub it and wipe it down with clean water and wipe it dry.
PS: I agree, really nice interior.
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From: Sulphur LA
I use the matte finish tire foam to clean it and it works great. It stays slick for about half a day and then it's cool. You can wipe up the excess. I have also used Tuff Stuff spray foam cleaner. Both work good and make the color uniform although I prefer the tire foam after I get in to a routine cleaning regimen. With frequent use it makes it easier to clean.
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