DIY - Cheaper and BETTER alternative to Exact mats (clear mats)
09-14-06, 04:41 PM
#1
DIY - Cheaper and BETTER alternative to Exact mats (clear mats)
Let me start by saying that I am not trying to advertize or sell anything, this is just a cheaper way I found for carpet protection.
This being said, I own two Lexii - a 2001 GS430 that I bought in July 2005, and a 1994 LS400, which I bought in July 2006, to become my new daily driver. Back when I bought the GS, I purchased the exact mats set for a little over $70.00. But when I bought the LS, I didn't wanna spend so much on the daily driver, but then I didn't wanna settle for cheap generic mats from autozone. On top of it, the drivers side mat in the GS doesnt fit as well as I would like, and leaves too much exposed carpet.
So what did I do? I went to Staples, and purchased two chair mats for carpet floors. They are made of clear material with the same texture as exact mats, and with the same pins as exact mats. I layed them down on the floor, took out the mats from my car, and cut these chair mats with heavy duty scissors to match the shape exactly. Works great!!! These chair mats are actually made of much thicker, sturdier and heavier material than exact mats, so they really stay in place! I was actually concerned at first, because these mats were so sturdy, I couldn't get them to unfold. But they flatten out over few hours, or if you are in a hurry just warm them up with a heat gun or a hair dryer. Once in a car, they will take the shape/bend of the floor and stay like this. I did it back in July, now its Septem, I didn't have to adjust these mats not even once, while the exact mats have to be adjusted weekly.
This being said, I own two Lexii - a 2001 GS430 that I bought in July 2005, and a 1994 LS400, which I bought in July 2006, to become my new daily driver. Back when I bought the GS, I purchased the exact mats set for a little over $70.00. But when I bought the LS, I didn't wanna spend so much on the daily driver, but then I didn't wanna settle for cheap generic mats from autozone. On top of it, the drivers side mat in the GS doesnt fit as well as I would like, and leaves too much exposed carpet.
So what did I do? I went to Staples, and purchased two chair mats for carpet floors. They are made of clear material with the same texture as exact mats, and with the same pins as exact mats. I layed them down on the floor, took out the mats from my car, and cut these chair mats with heavy duty scissors to match the shape exactly. Works great!!! These chair mats are actually made of much thicker, sturdier and heavier material than exact mats, so they really stay in place! I was actually concerned at first, because these mats were so sturdy, I couldn't get them to unfold. But they flatten out over few hours, or if you are in a hurry just warm them up with a heat gun or a hair dryer. Once in a car, they will take the shape/bend of the floor and stay like this. I did it back in July, now its Septem, I didn't have to adjust these mats not even once, while the exact mats have to be adjusted weekly.
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