So I have my "restuck" my Cricut mats many, many times. But I have never done a good cleaning first. Seems it re-sticks much better if you clean all the old "sticky stuff" off with Goo Gone first.
Here is how I re-sticky my mats now.
1.Take a bottle of Goo Gone and spread a light coat on you mat. Let it sit for about 15 minutes.
2. Take a plastic scraper and scrape all of the sticky stuff off of your mat.
See the difference in this picture? The bottom and left of the mat have been scraped after soaking the mat in a little Goo Gone.
3. Scrape your whole mat and get all the gooey stuff off.
This picture shows just how much "sticky stuff" came off with just one swipe. Ick!!
Here is the mat totally scraped.
4. I use Aleenes Tack It Over and Over glue and mix 50 % Aleenes and 50 % water and then brush a thin coat of this on my mat. Let it dry about 20 minutes and do one more thin coat. Let dry for 24 hours before covering with the protective film.
Before using it I "condition" it quite a bit by sticking my hands all over the mat over and over again. Also I may turn it upside down on my carpet. This helps "get some of the sticky out" after first re-sticking them. Also, if you have extra of your 50/50 mixture, put it in a sealed container and use it next time. It is so hard to mix the small amount that is needed!! Great way to save money and have more to spend on vinyl!!
As always, thanks for looking!!
3. Scrape your whole mat and get all the gooey stuff off.
Thank you for this! I need to re-stick mine.
ReplyDeleteCaroline
This cleaning technique looks easy and necessary. Thanks for posting. You'd think Cricut would sell a product for this since so many of us do it anyway.
DeleteCricut wants your money in buying new mats when the old ones go bad (like I have been doing for the last few years); but, now I will be cleaning and resticking mine, with these directions!
Deleteabsolutely brilliant, thanks for the tip!
ReplyDeleteWhere do you find the tack it over and over? I've searched everywhere and have not seen it for some time.
ReplyDeleteIf you are looking for the Aleenes I know Michaels carries it. http://www.michaels.com/Aleene%27s%C2%AE-Tack-It-Over-Over/gc0367,default,pd.html?cgid=products-generalcrafts-aleenes&start=3'
ReplyDeleteGood Luck!!
Thank you SO MUCH Michelle!! I've looked at Jo Ann's, Hobby Lobby and AC Moore but rarely go to Michaels. Looks like a special trip to Michaels!!
ReplyDeleteI did this today and used wd-40. I didn't have any goo-be-gone. It worked! Not sure how different it worked in comparison, but if you are in a pinch, there is an alternative!
ReplyDeleteThis is great! I was disappointed in the Silhouette mats because they are like a big sheet of double sided stick tape. They stick so well but they lift at the edges too.
ReplyDeleteAwesome!!! I was hesitant to buy a can of spray. But I already have Aleene's!
ReplyDeletehow often do you need to restick it? I just invested in a machine and was curious about this. :)
ReplyDeleteHi Amy. It really depends on how often you use your mat and what type of material you are cutting. When my material no longer sticks well, I re-stick it!!
DeleteI finally tried this last night. Mat looks great! But I have not tried cutting yet.
ReplyDeleteI just wash mine with dish detergent, dry, then spray with quilt batting spray. Easy. Can buy at Joann Fabrics.
ReplyDeleteI've never used the Goo Gone before, but I'm going to try it next time. I also use a 2 way Glue Pen (available at all craft stores) to restick my mats and I've never had a problem.
ReplyDeleteOk, I need you to explain the part about putting on the carpet? I probably do not understand, but are you putting the sticky side down on the carpet? Wouldn't the carpet lint/fibers stick to the mat? Like I said, I probably don't understand what you mean.
ReplyDelete@Sharon Robinson - yes, that is what is meant... When first using, the glue is often TOO sticky, so you need to "de-stick" it a little bit first. Otherwise, your paper/vinyl will be difficult to remove without ripping.
ReplyDeleteSharon, some prefer to use a tshirt instead of the carpet or maybe even just their hands working the surface a bit. If you "destick" your mat a bit your chances of your material sticking to the mat after cutting and ripping is less.
ReplyDeleteJust a friendly notice that if your machine is new & still under warranty, this effort will void that warranty with Provo Craft. Otherwise, works great & saves money!
ReplyDeleteI've been throwing my mats away and buying new ones! Now, I won't haft to! Thank you soooo much for this tutorial!
ReplyDeleteI love the idea of resticking my mats since they are a bit pricey ($6.50 a piece) but you are aware that doing these resticking procedures it voids ANY and ALL warrenties on your cricut machine! Sooooo if your machine is still under a warrenty DON'T restick your mats just head to Hobby Lobby and buy a package for $13.
ReplyDeleteI scrub my mats with a veggie brush and regular dish soap. Lots of lint and paper trash comes off just with that. Also after that I spray them with Quilter's Basting Spray (blue bottle) from the fabric store. Much easier process than what you described. I used to work at a scrapbook store and this is how we cleaned and refreshed out mats.
ReplyDelete