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  #1  
Old 11-24-2015, 11:39 PM
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diy all natural floor mats w123

hi,
i'm looking into floor mats since my '85 300D turbo didn't come with any.
i've searched around, the cocomats are decently natural, but very pricey for all 4.

i saw someone had made diy mats w/ carpeting, and traced the mats they own.
i don't have mats to trace.
has anyone else had experience making diy mats?
i've measured out the floor areas, but i'm not sure how long each piece needs to extend forward.
does anyone have measurements for original stock or cocomats?
did the rear mat go over the middle and connect?
do you guys find it's really better for mats to go pretty close to all walls?


also since i prefer all natural material over synthetic, for environmental reasons...

i thought about buying jute rugs and cutting and hemming them down, but i'm a bit intimidated by how hard it would be to sew or hem a thick jute rug, attached is a picture for reference.
homedepot.com has a 2'3" x 8' jute rug for about $54.
Safavieh Cape Cod Natural 2 ft. 3 in. x 8 ft. Runner-CAP355A-28 - The Home Depot

my 2nd idea is buying hemp rugs, or a big hemp rug, which i have had hemmed before, they are thinner than most car mats, i'm hoping not too thin, but i think it could work... 2nd picture attached.
Organic Hemp Rug

smaller sizes of either rug could be purchased as well...

curious to hear others' experience,
thanks!

Attached Thumbnails
diy all natural floor mats w123-juterug.jpg   diy all natural floor mats w123-woven-hemp-rug-3t.jpg  

Last edited by allenying; 11-25-2015 at 01:43 AM.
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  #2  
Old 11-25-2015, 01:56 PM
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To get a tracing cut up pieces of manilla folders and tape them together until it looks okay to you.
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Old 12-01-2015, 08:52 PM
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ok, i looked into it more.

i made measurements using pieces of paper taped together instead of folders, if anyone is interested in them.

but, it seems like mats will move around and lose shape too much if they don't have a rubber backing, even thick sisal house rugs cut down to shape.

i tried my best to find an affordable solution, but i ended up going with cocomats.com.

here're some notes on what i researched:

daniel’s cost less, $120, but possibly thinner and not as durable.
heelpad: vinyl
backing: vinyl
there’s no confirmation of whether or not the rubber backing is natural or synthetic.
Daneil's Sisal Floor Mats


the hemp rugs, i tested one, it slides and moves around too easily due to being light and having no backing.


cocomats.com are pretty pricey, $280, but seems like they would last 10 years or more.
heel pad: natural rubber
backing: natural rubber
the heelpad is thick too, not a cheap vinyl which does fall off on cheaper mats.
binding: vinyl
i asked if i could send in a natural leather, but they said all of their equipment is set up for the vinyl binding, and it is a very good solid binding. and without binding they would fray and fall apart.
glue: silicone
they searched as best they could for glues and use a silicone glue which does not offgas. as far as i've researched, silicone is a relatively natural substance, coming from silica and sand, but requires fossil fuel chemicals to make, but supposedly does break down in sun and soil.

they're made in the US by a family company, and the videos of them talking about it really helped sell me on them.

they said coco is the most durable natural material compared to sisal and seagrass, if buying for a daily driver.

i still think it's ridiculous to pay $280 for something you'll just be stepping on, but i couldn't justify buying such large pieces of synthetic material that could not be disposed of when they're done, even if they cost only $30 or $55 like the cheap universal ones cost.
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Old 12-24-2015, 12:41 AM
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before i put in my new coco mats, i checked out what the floor of my car had, and i'm not sure if this is how the car was made, or if it was something done by a previous owner.

i have what looks like original car mats, but they're glued to a foam board - i think the sound deadening material - and under that is the metal of the car. i thought it seemed normal, and that there were previously mats that went on top of them, since the ones glued down you wouldn't be able to take out and clean that well. but then i realized the driver mat has a heel pad, which led me to think that was a mat that originally was not glued to a foam board.

can anyone help clarify for me?

thanks,
Attached Thumbnails
diy all natural floor mats w123-img_6745.jpg   diy all natural floor mats w123-img_6742.jpg   diy all natural floor mats w123-img_6746.jpg   diy all natural floor mats w123-img_6744.jpg  
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Old 12-26-2015, 12:55 PM
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It's normal. Mine came the same way when I ripped all of it out of there.
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Old 12-26-2015, 09:13 PM
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and then car mats would come with the cars and go on top of that? or you were supposed to take those out to clean when they needed cleaning?
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Old 12-26-2015, 10:05 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by allenying View Post
and then car mats would come with the cars and go on top of that? or you were supposed to take those out to clean when they needed cleaning?
Mats go on top.
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Old 12-27-2015, 01:01 AM
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I wonder if you could spray that rubberized undercoating on the mats for grippage? But doesn't solve the "lightness" issue.
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  #9  
Old 12-27-2015, 05:21 PM
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someone also mentioned trying to paint natural rubber to the bottom of those natural sisal rugs made for homes, i ended up going with the cocomats.

they're pricey but wow, what a fit. i think they're worth it. if only someone told me that any alternatives wouldn't be as good first, before i spent all the time researching lower price alternatives.

they're made in the US, use natural rubber for the backing, and heel pad, which is thick unlike cheaper vinyl heel pads on other mats, the glue is silicone based, which they've searched for the best nontoxic glue they could, and silicone does seem least harmful to the environment out of the available glue options. the binding is vinyl, not real leather, which they were not interested in swapping for real leather.

so in the end, it's as good an option as could be without the extra effort to make your own, and way better if you're like me and can't get yourself to buy large pieces of synthetic materials even if way cheaper.
Attached Thumbnails
diy all natural floor mats w123-img_6748.jpg   diy all natural floor mats w123-img_6749.jpg   diy all natural floor mats w123-img_6750.jpg   diy all natural floor mats w123-img_6747.jpg  
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  #10  
Old 12-30-2015, 12:11 PM
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Coco is a great natural material. I think they look great. I know the initial investment is a little steep, but you should get a lot of years from them, and you know you are doing something good for the environment. They also have a custom look that you have to appreciate. Great choice!

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