Traction mats

[slowboatn]

Ah. I don't know much about them. Just know mine are in really bad shape. They all are lifting or bowing or whatever it is called. I was wondering if anyone has replaced them? Do yall go with stock aftermarket or make your own? Where do you get them from etc: Get my drift? LOL. OK. Sorry to be a pain. Wife wants this ski like new again and keeps asking me about stuff that I don't really think needs to be replaced. At least the seats are in good condition for now.

 

[Greg]

This is for your 98 GTX correct? Hydro Turf is your answer.. it replaces the existing mats and gives the ski a much cleaner look. Those mats on the older two strokes always end up looking curled and decrepit after a time. follow this link: http://pwcmuscle.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=167 Be sure to order them WITH the 3M adhesive so you can easily apply these mats.

Also if you do buy these use coupon code HYDRO15 at check out to save 15% off.

 

[Mgiffune]

+1 Put mine on two weeks ago, and they look fantastic! They were very easy to install.

 

[slowboatn]

Ok. How do I get the old ones off? I was looking at them before the tornado and severe thunderstorm hit and it looks like they are riveted in or something???

 

[Mgiffune]

Pop the rivets off with a chisel and hammer, then use a punch to knock them into to fiberglass just below the surface. Use a marine epoxy to fill the holes. I cleaned the heck out of the fiberglass with Purple Power cleaner an a Scotch Brite pad, then went over with a liberal amount of rubbing alcohol. Dry well, position the new mats, and stick them on. (Credit to Sea Doo Lou for the instructions!)

 

[slowboatn]

Ok. Sounds like a bunch of work. LOL. yaay

 

[griz400]

here is another link that was made here previously, some looks and installation processes == they have a large selection of colors and patterns, and actually, sounds like a lot of work, but, really not http://www.seadooforum.com/showthread.php?47697-new-mats

here is a pic of mine

 

[spx800]

Pop the rivets off with a chisel and hammer, then use a punch to knock them into to fiberglass just below the surface. Use a marine epoxy to fill the holes. I cleaned the heck out of the fiberglass with Purple Power cleaner an a Scotch Brite pad, then went over with a liberal amount of rubbing alcohol. Dry well, position the new mats, and stick them on. (Credit to Sea Doo Lou for the instructions!)

Don't need to knock the rivets out, just make sure they're flush with the surface of the running boards. No need for epoxy either; the 3mm adhesive that hydroturf uses on their mats seals perfectly fine.

 

[Ronsse610]

Hydroturf with 3M adhesive thats wat i used and works nicely!!!

 

[slowboatn]

Ok. I need a certain red color and I don't see it anywhere. I really need to get some pics up here of my ski. Don't think I ever did.

 

[Spimothy Leary]

although Hydroturf has a strong rep,,,
i've used two sets of blacktip on recent ski's and they look fantastic, and have held up well, and I think I paid under
$80 for each set. So consider blacktip, good color and pattern selection.

nothing against HT, its a good product. But BT was about 15% less.

 

[Dr Honda]

nothing against HT, its a good product. But BT was about 15% less.

There is a 15% off code on the the top of this forum. And... buying from the sponsor keeps this site open. (just something to think about)

***EDIT***

Sorry... it was in the boat section.

Order your Hydro-Turf at http://www.pwcmuscle.com and upon checking out enter coupon code HYDRO15

 

[spx800]

I like hydro-turfs product over black tip. Did the black tip mats come with the adhesive?

 

[Ronsse610]

^ 3M adhesive

 

[Spimothy Leary]

^ 3M adhesive

x2 yes they do,

i've used both, put HT on my challenger boat, bought BT during the thanksgiving (Blacktip friday ) sale at WCSS for a great price free shipping, honestly they are both good quality, and prices are very similar especially if you take into consideration the discount. you really can't go wrong either way, just pick your color and pattern correctly and you'll be thrilled. Its really not THAT hard to install the kit, just takes a little patience and a steady hand.

what I was told to do was lay the mats out where you want them, and draw a thin pencil line right around that edge so you know exactly where you want to put the mat, line it up carefully & evenly (no wrinkles) and then put some pressure on it, (i stood on it for a minute). the adhesive works great !

 

[slowboatn]

I'm just concerned about taking the old ones off. Do they pull off or do I have to drill the rivets out? Do I "HAVE" to fill the holes with epoxy? I'm not gonna do this right now. I fixed the trailer(don't ask me how) and it saved me some money. So, I can spend it elsewhere. I just don't know where. I saved about 60 bucks. LOL.

 

[Spimothy Leary]

re: rivets, pop them or drill them but they should go bye bye, its a reasonable step that only takes 5 minutes with a drill and a bit.
i'm assuming you have the hard plastic mats and they are getting "bumpy" for lack of a better description.

i've never been told that the adjesive seals the rivet holes, but imho it takes an extra $10 and 15 minutes to seal them with epoxy, so why skip the step, get it done right now and you'll be happy for a long time.
the actual hard part is usually getting the footwell clean of all dirt/grime/crap before installing the mat's themselves, this is the best time to get that part really clean since the mats will be out of the way for the first time in a decade
the last time I did this on a riveted mat, there were tons of junk/stains in the footwell due to the fact that PO's had stored the ski outside, the footwells filled up and sat so there were significant black stains... scrub that out (softscrub works well with a scotchbrite pad) 1500 grit wet sanding works well on the hard to remove stuff, just get it clean underneath where the new mats go and get it really clean around the edges of that area,
then re-apply the new mats.

all in all if there isn't a bunch of adhesive/glue stuck there (brake clean and a scotchbrite if there is) then the whole process will take about an hour's labor total, and you can take a beer break in the middle.

in the end, for about $100 the whole look of the ski will change, and will hold up for yrs with no leaks...

my advice is to not skip a step to save $10 (exoxy to cover rivet holes)

 

[slowboatn]

Ok. Sounds good. Last question. Is there a specific epoxy to get when I do this? I will be out of commission tomorrow until GOD knows when.