Fuel Tank Mats Montauk - Moderated Discussion Areas

  ContinuousWave
  Whaler
  Moderated Discussion Areas
  ContinuousWave: The Whaler GAM or General Area
  Fuel Tank Mats Montauk

search | FAQ | profile | register | author help

Author Topic:   Fuel Tank Mats Montauk

lizard posted 11-16-2013 05:02 PM ET (US)
I have a set of the original brown rubber mats that seat beneath the OEM Montauk fuel tanks. I am giving the tanks and mats to a friend who just picked up a Montauk.
Any advice for how to restore, soften, make more pliable the mats, which are a bit dry and stiff?
Thanks
jimh posted 11-17-2013 02:01 PM ET (US)
Armor All
http://www.armorall.com/
lizard posted 11-18-2013 12:35 AM ET (US)
Thanks JimH. Can you tell me, if the mats are pretty dry (my fault) is there any improved outcome by doing this on a hot day or doing several applications. I am kind of shocked and surprised how dry them seem.
jimh posted 11-18-2013 01:01 AM ET (US)
I have not tried Armor All on the tank mats, but it does a nice job on vinyl car floor mats. I would expect the tank mats would react in the same way.
Jeff posted 11-18-2013 01:07 AM ET (US)
Armorall is has never provided me good results for anything I have used it on. I would recommend using a high silicon content product like tirewet tire dressing instead of armorall in all cases.
As silly as it sounds, use an old rag and wipe on a coating of heavy weight oil or even gear lube. Coat the rubber pieces and let it soak in for a couple days repeat and then wipe the excess off. It have brought life back into some old rubber mats doing that process. While not like new they are certainly more plyable and "rich" looking.
jimh posted 11-18-2013 03:58 PM ET (US)
Hydraulic steering fluid also will generally have a positive effect of plastics that seem to have dried out.
jimh posted 11-18-2013 03:58 PM ET (US)
Jeff--I will try some TireWet tire dressing on my tires next Spring.
frontier posted 11-19-2013 12:57 AM ET (US)
Would the mat need a dipstick to check the oil? :)
Do you get oil rainbows when you wash the boat?
The last set I had went right to the garbage can.
Cracked like peanut brittle.
Dave Sutton posted 11-19-2013 08:03 AM ET (US)
Aviaton trick to swell and soften rubber seals in landing gear struts, etc., and works on almost any other rubber item:
Lucas automotive power steering sealant.
This comes in pint bottles and is designed to be added to power steering fluid to swell the rubber seals when they leak. It works on almost any rubber as well. Recommended.
There is an aerospace product that is identical yet costs 10X more if you really want to guild the lily: Granville Strut Seal. The Lucas product has proven to be equal in performance. I'm certain it would have a beneficial effect on the mats.
Make sure you buy the Lucas stuff, other manufacturers products have not proven themselves.

Dave
.
trguy76 posted 11-19-2013 11:15 PM ET (US)
Like many of you, I appreciate oem products for keeping boats close to stock and try to utilize them whenever possible. I have a couple of old cars and follow that principle until a replacement part is no longer available and the original is no longer serviceable. Regarding the Montauk tank mats which are virtually impossible to find, I found three-quarter inch industrial rubberized floor matting, sold by the foot, at Tractor Supply. I cut two pieces in exactly the right size. After a full season, I am happy with the material. It is heavy, looks tidy, stays flat, does not slide, and seems impervious to gasoline. I have two six gallon tanks in my 2002 Montauk 170. In case the Lucas power steering fluid does not work on your old mats, this might be an inexpensive alternative to try.
Jim C
lizard posted 11-19-2013 11:37 PM ET (US)
Thanks, Sutton, I have used Lucas Power Steering Sealant in a couple of unrelated applications and have it on hand.
Thanks for the recommendation.
jhomeist posted 11-20-2013 09:24 AM ET (US)
Hi Lizard, Please let us know how the Lucas treatment works. I am interested because I have some original blue mats from a 1970 Sakonnet that need refreshing. Thanks, Jon
lizard posted 11-20-2013 10:53 PM ET (US)
I dropped the mats at Jon's already, but I will see his wife this weekend and give her the Lucas product. I am thinking a warm day is the best time to apply.

Hop to:

Contact Us | RETURN to ContinuousWave Top Page

Powered by: Ultimate Bulletin Board, Freeware Version 2000
Purchase our Licensed Version- which adds many more features!
© Infopop Corporation (formerly Madrona Park, Inc.), 1998 - 2000.

Author	Topic: Fuel Tank Mats Montauk
lizard	posted 11-16-2013 05:02 PM ET (US) I have a set of the original brown rubber mats that seat beneath the OEM Montauk fuel tanks. I am giving the tanks and mats to a friend who just picked up a Montauk. Any advice for how to restore, soften, make more pliable the mats, which are a bit dry and stiff? Thanks
jimh	posted 11-17-2013 02:01 PM ET (US) Armor All http://www.armorall.com/
lizard	posted 11-18-2013 12:35 AM ET (US) Thanks JimH. Can you tell me, if the mats are pretty dry (my fault) is there any improved outcome by doing this on a hot day or doing several applications. I am kind of shocked and surprised how dry them seem.
jimh	posted 11-18-2013 01:01 AM ET (US) I have not tried Armor All on the tank mats, but it does a nice job on vinyl car floor mats. I would expect the tank mats would react in the same way.
Jeff	posted 11-18-2013 01:07 AM ET (US) Armorall is has never provided me good results for anything I have used it on. I would recommend using a high silicon content product like tirewet tire dressing instead of armorall in all cases. As silly as it sounds, use an old rag and wipe on a coating of heavy weight oil or even gear lube. Coat the rubber pieces and let it soak in for a couple days repeat and then wipe the excess off. It have brought life back into some old rubber mats doing that process. While not like new they are certainly more plyable and "rich" looking.
jimh	posted 11-18-2013 03:58 PM ET (US) Hydraulic steering fluid also will generally have a positive effect of plastics that seem to have dried out.
jimh	posted 11-18-2013 03:58 PM ET (US) Jeff--I will try some TireWet tire dressing on my tires next Spring.
frontier	posted 11-19-2013 12:57 AM ET (US) Would the mat need a dipstick to check the oil? :) Do you get oil rainbows when you wash the boat? The last set I had went right to the garbage can. Cracked like peanut brittle.
Dave Sutton	posted 11-19-2013 08:03 AM ET (US) Aviaton trick to swell and soften rubber seals in landing gear struts, etc., and works on almost any other rubber item: Lucas automotive power steering sealant. This comes in pint bottles and is designed to be added to power steering fluid to swell the rubber seals when they leak. It works on almost any rubber as well. Recommended. There is an aerospace product that is identical yet costs 10X more if you really want to guild the lily: Granville Strut Seal. The Lucas product has proven to be equal in performance. I'm certain it would have a beneficial effect on the mats. Make sure you buy the Lucas stuff, other manufacturers products have not proven themselves. Dave .
trguy76	posted 11-19-2013 11:15 PM ET (US) Like many of you, I appreciate oem products for keeping boats close to stock and try to utilize them whenever possible. I have a couple of old cars and follow that principle until a replacement part is no longer available and the original is no longer serviceable. Regarding the Montauk tank mats which are virtually impossible to find, I found three-quarter inch industrial rubberized floor matting, sold by the foot, at Tractor Supply. I cut two pieces in exactly the right size. After a full season, I am happy with the material. It is heavy, looks tidy, stays flat, does not slide, and seems impervious to gasoline. I have two six gallon tanks in my 2002 Montauk 170. In case the Lucas power steering fluid does not work on your old mats, this might be an inexpensive alternative to try. Jim C
lizard	posted 11-19-2013 11:37 PM ET (US) Thanks, Sutton, I have used Lucas Power Steering Sealant in a couple of unrelated applications and have it on hand. Thanks for the recommendation.
jhomeist	posted 11-20-2013 09:24 AM ET (US) Hi Lizard, Please let us know how the Lucas treatment works. I am interested because I have some original blue mats from a 1970 Sakonnet that need refreshing. Thanks, Jon
lizard	posted 11-20-2013 10:53 PM ET (US) I dropped the mats at Jon's already, but I will see his wife this weekend and give her the Lucas product. I am thinking a warm day is the best time to apply.