Cutting mat
#1
Super Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: Hampstead N.C.
Posts: 1,870
Cutting mat
My cutting mat does not feel smooth anymore. I rarely soaked it and used it for many years. Yes, I did get my monies worth, but would still like to restore it. I just soaked it for a few hours and it feels a little better, but still not smooth. Lately, I have been having difficulty cutting nicely and my roatary blades are becoming dull faster.. Is there any help for my mat, or is it time to throw in the towel and buy a new one?
#2
Super Member
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: Illinois
Posts: 9,312
I would say yes time for a new one. I have done the soaking thing with less than desired results. Like you I have started to dull my blades at a faster rate because the mat has worn. I am starting to think even the best of mats has a life span shorter than they used to be.
#3
Power Poster
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Ontario, Canada
Posts: 41,538
My old mat was in bad shape on the side with lines but I am still using it on the other side. Flip yours over and try cutting on the back. I did buy another new bigger mat but still use my old one for small jobs.
#4
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2010
Posts: 696
You could cut it in half or in smaller pieces and use it for smaller jobs. I did read somewhere there is a scrubber thingy such as a pot scrubber that takes the high stuff off. If it were mine, I would try to sand a piece of it and see what happens. If all fails, just cut it up for in the bottom of purses.
#6
Power Poster
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: Northern Michigan
Posts: 12,861
I have a little ( tool) from Nancy's Notions, very inexpensive, it is like a smooth sanding disc with a handle. I've been using it for 10+ years. It works great to smooth my mat. Sometimes I am cutting wools, or silks which seem really hard on the mat, I just grab the smoother & fix it. ( and I've tried other products, green scrub pads, sand paper, ...nothing has worked as well as that disc)
#7
Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: Maryland
Posts: 539
I have a little ( tool) from Nancy's Notions, very inexpensive, it is like a smooth sanding disc with a handle. I've been using it for 10+ years. It works great to smooth my mat. Sometimes I am cutting wools, or silks which seem really hard on the mat, I just grab the smoother & fix it. ( and I've tried other products, green scrub pads, sand paper, ...nothing has worked as well as that disc)
#10
Super Member
Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: Sonoma County, CA
Posts: 4,299
The reviews all say it doesn't harm the lines, but that wasn't my experience at all. Maybe I rubbed too hard? Maybe my mat is weird? (I use Alvin mats)
Now when I get slices I rub at them with a canvas scrap to get all the extra fibers out of the slice, and then I lay a warm damp hand towel over the area and weigh it down a little. I have a pretty large mat so soaking it is a HUGE pain, but spot-dampening like that seems to do an OK job helping it heal.
For you, OP, I think your mat may have had it. If you can flip it that'll give you a lot more life out of it, but if you're line-dependent, it's a good time to look for mats on sale or to put one on your Christmas list!
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