If you own a pickup truck or other open-body truck, you must probably already thought about the rubber coating inside it.
This is a really useful solution because the transportation of many goods requires tight adhesion to the car bed surface to prevent possible accidents and damage to the car body.
However, finding a suitable rug in car stores is almost impossible. Therefore, many people prefer to cut such a mat on their own, without resorting to merchants.
Table of Contents
Where to begin?
This approach has its advantages:
- Cheapness
- Individual approach
- Free choice of materials
But there are also disadvantages, the main of which is complexity.
You should first decide on the material. Most rubber car covers are 0.375 inches thick, which is pretty good, but it provides a good grip rather than protects the car body. However, if you choose a thicker deck, remember that it will reduce the loading space and increase the weight on the rear axle.
How to correctly measure the dimensions of the body cover?
Take this step quite seriously. Find a good measuring tape and measure first the length and width of the whole car bed itself, together with the sides. Then calculate the width of the beads and subtract it from each side of the body. This will give you the most reliable information about the width of the mat to be fitted.
If you have a more complex car shape, pay attention to the details that protrude beyond the sides. For example, the car bed can be bent around a wheel, then you should measure the size of the bent and its depth not to make a mistake in the calculations.
From paper to rubber
Now, when you know all the details and have also chosen a suitable flooring option, you should measure the boundaries of the car body along the width of the rubber mat. We recommend using chalk or a white marker for this, as it’s best visible on dark gray rubber.
After specifying the dimensions, it’s time to pick up the scissors.
How to cut the rubber mat correctly?
Start cutting from the longer side so you can move around the deck easily without dragging excess rubber along with you. Use thick garden shears or rubber shears. When you’ve cut off most of the excess coating, you can use a construction knife to remove debris and fibers.
Place a mat inside the cabin and make sure everything is done correctly. You now have excellent coverage inside the car body.
What other coatings can I use?
Rubber
Rubber was and remains the best material. It’s easy to clean and can withstand rainfall, sun rays, and wind.
Plastic
The plastic cover is also good. However, it’s difficult to find a universal option that fits your car body size. You’ll have to make an effort to securely hold it in place.
Conclusion
So, you know the basic steps for creating a protective surface for your car body. We hope that this short guide will be useful to you, and the car bed will be reliably protected from any damage!
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