Best Garage floor mat for a Rover

[lordkenyon]

As we all know there's a good bit of seepage common with our beloved Rovers and I'm moving in a month into a brand new place with an ever so pristine garage floor.

Any recommendations on a good mat that would keep the oil or other fluids from staining the cement? Painting or sealing the garage floor really is not an option (leased property). Anyone use the Highland absorbent one? Maybe a vinyl roll-out kind?

EDIT: Preferably not the $1000+ kind, yikes! And it's a two car garage.

Thanks!

 

[KevinNY]

flatten a carboard box

 

[Robbie]

i've got this on my floor in the ribbed (for her pleasure) pattern: http://www.bltllc.com/g-floor_main.htm

i love that it keeps the oil off the concrete and it is easy to clean up and sweep out. but the ribs hurt on bare feet and when it gets a little wet, from say oil or coolant, it becomes slick as ice. would prefer something that gave a little more traction. but of course, then clean up would probably be harder.

 

[stevenr]

When I built my house, I stained the garage floor with concrete stain and then used a high gloss sealer. My drips wipe right up. It's more labor intensive, but cheaper than any mat you could probably purchase.

 

[cyoc62]

flatten a carboard box

x2

plastic bag, scrap of plywood, old towel/ blanket...unless you want something that can be cleaned and reused.

 

[ptschram]

Gee, I find a pile of kittie litter works pretty well.

My wife's Acura leaks worse than my LWB. I've about got the Disco leaks cured (just in time to put a new engine in).

 

[peter sherman]

If the floor isn't painted do so! If it is card board works great.

 

[dmarchand]

Lowes sells snap together rubber matting. Snap it, maybe silicone the seams if you want to get wild.

 

[Mudy_ovl]

I just went to the Sam's club website and they have the 10'x22' ribbed flooring for $187.88. Waaaaaay cheaper than any other place I looked. For a two car garage, you would need two mats. Even with $160 in shipping, that is still only $536 for a very nice, easily installed two car garage floor. I don't know if the price is a mistake, but anyone interested should jump on it before they make any price changes. I am going to ask SWMBO if we can do the floor sooon! I don't know what Sam's Club charges for membership, but it is probably worth it just for this purchase.

Chris D.

 

[kennith]

When I built my house, I stained the garage floor with concrete stain and then used a high gloss sealer. My drips wipe right up. It's more labor intensive, but cheaper than any mat you could probably purchase.

Do this, and you will forever be happy you did. IF you go ahead and get it done now, and just get it out of the way, it's not so bad. If you wait until you have to clear everything out of the garage to do it.... Well, that's another story.

Cheers,

Kennith

 

[lordkenyon]

Thanks for the ideas, guys. I think I may call some carpet installation places also to see if they have any remnant vinyl flooring. May not have a great choice of color or style, but hey, it's a garage and that's got to be less expensive.

 

[stevenr]

I tried vinyl before. If you pull straight into and out of your garage, you'll be fine. If you have to do even the smallest steering adjustment, the vinyl will stretch and deform. I got a lead on some pretty retro black and white checker for an old house and thought the same thing you are. Well, above is my report.

 

[benlittle]

an old dog bed... quite absorbent.

 

[BaldEagle]

go to lowes or hd and buy the quickrete or rustoleum garage floor epoxy kit. its freaking amazing. i install it for people all the time. its so easy anyone can do it (but they dont, so they pay me). wipes right up, looks good, harder than concrete even. not expensive

 

[huck1974]

fix the leaks. My 94 d90 doesnt leak a drop and never will for longer than it takes me to order the seal.

 

[brianhoberg]

Cardboard always worked well for me.

 

[Steve]

go to lowes or hd and buy the quickrete or rustoleum garage floor epoxy kit. its freaking amazing. i install it for people all the time. its so easy anyone can do it (but they dont, so they pay me). wipes right up, looks good, harder than concrete even. not expensive

You ever have a problem with it peeling or bubbling?

 

[Roverlady]

x2 on that question

We "painted/sealed" our garage floor shortly after we bought the house (it was new) and about 60% of it has peeled up...tracking little pieces of black paint into the house is really annoying. NEVER AGAIN!

 

[apg]

How 'new' was the slab? Concrete takes months - even years, maybe - to fully cure chemically, especially if the contractor specified a soupy or "hydrated" mix for ease in placement, as opposed to a stiff - and more expensive - mix. Ambient temperatures during/after the pour could also affect things down the road.

 

[bri]

epoxy.