Looking for tips for installing Blacktip Mats

[jennsavage2001]

My 2001 Challenger came with snap in carpet, have never been a fan of carpet on boats, so I purchased Blacktip mats (hydroturf) to install. Anybody have some tips on how best to install this stuff and make it look professional (not crooked, lol). It is peel and stick....

 

[rsatina2002]

I just did mine myself but I recommended buying a hydroturf brand. I have a lime green black tip mat but they starts fading and peeling off its colors, transferring it to any white color materials in contact. You can apply it yourself just make sure, it is all very clean and smooth and it will apply very easily. I recommend two person application on bigger mats since when it stick it is really hard to fix if it is crooked.

 

[jennsavage2001]

Thank you for responding.

 

[mikidymac]

What I would do is clean the entire surface with acetone. THen lay out the mats and get them positioned how you want without peeling off the adhesive backing. I would mark the outline in a few places with 1" painters tape to hold the position and maybe some tape on the mats with alignment marks. Then pull the backing off on maybe 1/8 of the mat and start at that side with a roller to get it down. Then flip up the mat and remove more of the backing and get that area down.

I like to work from one side smoothing it to the order to keep air bubbles out. The one thing you don't want is air trapped under them. I nice warm day helps and roll the crap out of it to get the adhesive to set. I would wait at least 24 hours before getting them wet.

Na as others have said Blacktip is just ok, not the same quality as actual HydroTurf and PWC Muscle gives us members discounts on HydroTurf.

 

[jennsavage2001]

I have already purchased the Blacktip product and it is non-returnable due to customized color...so I will go with it. I keep a boat about 3-4 years, and because these are becoming increasingly more difficult to find parts for and shops to service it, it will probably last through my ownership...then if someone wants to snap the carpet back in it which I will reserve, their choice.

 

[jennsavage2001]

What I would do is clean the entire surface with acetone. THen lay out the mats and get them positioned how you want without peeling off the adhesive backing. I would mark the outline in a few places with 1" painters tape to hold the position and maybe some tape on the mats with alignment marks. Then pull the backing off on maybe 1/8 of the mat and start at that side with a roller to get it down. Then flip up the mat and remove more of the backing and get that area down.

I like to work from one side smoothing it to the order to keep air bubbles out. The one thing you don't want is air trapped under them. I nice warm day helps and roll the crap out of it to get the adhesive to set. I would wait at least 24 hours before getting them wet.

Na as others have said Blacktip is just ok, not the same quality as actual HydroTurf and PWC Muscle gives us members discounts on HydroTurf.

Thank you, great tips!

 

[jennsavage2001]

I wanted to ask about the acetone...if there was no previous glue, etc. use on the boat (just snap in carpet) is this product just used to clean the surface well?

 

[mikidymac]

Yes the acetone is just to clean and grease or oil. You can also use rubbing alcohol.

 

[Rustynutz]

Use 50/50 water-rubbing alcohol mix in a spray bottle with lint free paper towels...we installed the blacktip mats last spring in our 99 speedster and it turned out really good, and has held up well! We used a pencil and lightly scored around the each mat to dry fit, before removing protective sticky film...you can erase the pencil marks off after application or simply use a little windex.

 

[Rustynutz]

Blacktip mats; 99 Speedster m2

 

[jennsavage2001]

Blacktip mats; 99 Speedster m2

That turned out awesome! I wish now I had chosen a darker color !

 

[jskillz28]

Blacktip mats; 99 Speedster m2

Wow! your upholstery needs its own thread. Love it!

 

[jennsavage2001]

Wow! your upholstery needs its own thread. Love it!

forgive us ninnies who don't know how to use the site.

 

[Rustynutz]

Wow! your upholstery needs its own thread. Love it!

The best 400 bux I’ve spent on the boat for sure!

 

[Rustynutz]

Here are some before and afters...

 

[HeavyHanded]

Looks awesome! Where did you have your seats recovered? Love them w the new Blacktip flooring!

 

[Rustynutz]

Sorry for the delay and thank you. I actually bought the marine/artic vinyl at a local craft store here in Atlanta on a 75% off sale; otherwise that stuff would of ran about 500bux. There’s a man that lives in Dallas, Ga (little town 30miles out in the middle of nowhere from Atl.) that I heard about through the grapevine, that actually does upholstery work from his one car garage. He’s not fond of phones so I had to make a trip out one Saturday afternoon. It was worth the time seeming everyone else was 800-1300 to recover, and THERE was no way!!! Rumor had it, all done by hand for 300, so I was thinking I’ve gotta see this! After meeting with the gentleman, he made it clear he’d been doing upholstery work for almost 60 years.. I said what the heck and gave him a shot at it. He told me to stop by Tuesday, which only left him a day and some change to do this....and all by hand...hhhmmmm...experience is knowledge, so I dropped off the cushions, and sure enough by Tuesday afternoon it was complete. He asked for 350 due to vinyl being so thick...so I paid 450 just cause; and I was that impressed and this gentleman was as good as it gets...all I know is the address and the locals there refer to him as Mr. Gary..

 

[Rustynutz]

Ph1