Rubber mat odor

[CalvaryMike]

My AV is only a month old. I haven't even taken the panels off yet. I've noticed anytime I touch the rubber mat in the bed, my hands have a rubber smell. Has anyone else had this problem? Does this go away eventually? I'm thinking that I have to let the bed air out.
Thanks as always for any tips or advice.

 

[whitethunder]

Hi,

Wecome aboard!

I had a similar problem with the rear rubber mat.

I took it inot the dealership and they sprayed with some kind of deodourizer. It helped for a few months.

I found the best thing is to take the rubber mat out of the truck and left it our side for a few days and washed it with palmolive dish soap, and then let it dry.

the front mat's should be taken out a dn washed also should be taken off the carpet for a few days because the underside has those rubber teeth and after time will damage the carpet.

hope this helps.

 

[docopharm]

Mine has always smelled a little "funky". Kind of like mildew and rubber combined. I would imagine it's going to be hard to completely get rid of the smell b/c it pretty much stays wet under the mat unless you live in the desert.

 

[02-Z66]

get rid of it. get a Line-X sprayed in there.

 

[docopharm]

get rid of it. get a Line-X sprayed in there.

I see you've Line-x'd yours - doesn't the bed stay wet from drainage down the sides? I thought about doing that but figured that since it was wet under the mat, if I put Line-x on it, all the stuff I put in the back would get wet on the bottom. As it is, the moisture stays underneath the mat and I don't have to worry about it.

 

[RichUF]

I've scrubbed mine with Simple Green a couple of times. Not only does it get sparkly clean, I dig the fresh smell of SG. Kinda smells like sasafrass

I did notice the smell you describe when new...seemed to go away after a while.

 

[02-Z66]

get rid of it. get a Line-X sprayed in there.

I see you've Line-x'd yours - doesn't the bed stay wet from drainage down the sides? I thought about doing that but figured that since it was wet under the mat, if I put Line-x on it, all the stuff I put in the back would get wet on the bottom. As it is, the moisture stays underneath the mat and I don't have to worry about it.

you got me there. i did not consider that when i got it sprayed. the only thing i was thinking of was either fading, or rusting from the constant moisture. i still have the mat. my other alternative would be to put it over the Line-X. then we are back to the rubber smell again. that was not really an issue for me though.
the other alternative would be to get some type of "Bed Slide". i want one, but i was worried about the clearance it would leave once installed. i have a couple of items i carry often that just clear the covers. the Bed Slide would definitely prevent them from being loaded. i guess it's all about what you do with your truck that will determine how you configure your bed.

 

[ygmn]

The smell goes away.....Clean it the 2-3 times the manual say.....and do not apply any protectant else it will lose it stickyness and allow packages to slide around when driving....

HTH

Good luck

 

[02-Z66]

The smell goes away.....Clean it the 2-3 times the manual say.....and do not apply any protectant else it will lose it stickyness and allow packages to slide around when driving....

HTH

Good luck

that's what i lost when i took the mat out. the stuff does not stay put as well when placed on the Line-X. you know what? i am going to put it back in. dry bottoms. stay in place better. and i will still have the protection of the Line-X. thanx for making me see the light.