Floor Mats
Cutting the Aluminum Mats
- Before you make the first cut
into the sheeting, you'll need to make sure that the aluminum is really
secure. Either clamp it down in several locations to a sturdy table or
have one of your brute friends hold it down tightly.
Safety alert!
Be sure to wear goggles and gloves while working with the sharp aluminum.
1 To cut the aluminum, use a jig
saw with a fine-tooth metal blade. Carefully cut around the inside of the
traced lines.
2 Cutting Tip: Take your
time. Let the blade do the work with minimum forward pressure on the cut.
3 The blades wear
out fairly quickly, so plan on using about one blade per mat. When the blade
doesn't slide easily through the metal it's time to change it out. Don't skimp
on this part. The blades are pretty cheap, and sharp blades mean less finishing
time.
If it's your first time cutting
sheet metal, cut one of the rear floor mats first so you can get some practice
on the easier ones.
The
passenger side is a little more challenging. If the corner is too tight for the
blade, back up and repeat the cut at sharper angles until the curve is correct.
1 Knock off the sharp edges of the
metal with a file to complete the cuts.
2 Now that the mats are cut, use
the marks that were made earlier as a guide to bending them into the right
shape. Use the edge of a table or workbench to provide leverage. Try to make
sure that the bends "roll" rather than crease.
3 Once you've bent the mat, place
it in the car to check for fitting. Chances are the first time you put the mat
in the car it won't fit. Just take it out and bend it some more.
4 The rear floor mats are usually
flat and should just drop into place. Make sure there is a tight fit with all
of the mats and then take them back to the bench to fit the lights.
5 The footrest is
relatively easy to install. Just screw the factory footrest back into place.
Wipe it clean, and then attach the new footrest using industrial strength
hook-and-loop tape.
6 Now you can dress up the factory
foot pedals with some bolt-on pedal covers. Place the new pedal cover over the
existing pedal and mark the mounting holes onto the pedal with a silver paint
marker.
7 Brace the pedal from behind, and
use a center punch to make the divot for drilling. Keep the brace in place to
steady the pedals while you drill the holes.
8 Most pedal kits
will come with hardware. Use the nuts and bolts provided to attach the pedal
cover onto the pedal. Repeat the process for the remaining pedals and you're
all set.
- Once you're satisfied with the
fit and finish of the new floor mats, you want to make sure they are clean
and protected. Clean them up with a lint-free rag and rubbing alcohol. Be
sure to remove any fingerprints on both sides of the mats.
- To keep the new floor mats
from sliding around on the carpet, stick on some hook-and-loop tape.
Note!
Custom
installation is better left to professionals.
Any information
used here is done at your own risk!
Any information
here is in no way a genuine Instruction Manual for installing custom made auto
parts. It is general advice or helpful tips. If you would like to proceed using
our advice, we are in no way liable for any damage and/ or mistakes done on your
part.
Shopt for Floor Mats