Diamond Plate Metal Floor Mats

[Scooter]

okay,..so Eric (E-diddy) and I were just discussing a DIY for diamond plate metal floor mats. Kinda' like these:

Example of floor plates (http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=42612&item=2423386081)

And we could even do some door sills if tickles anyone's fancy

Example of door sills (http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=42612&item=2423115629)

We're thinking these wouldn't be too hard to do with the right tools.

The metal sheets would probably be about $20 or so. And maybe someone that has a Dremel could make life a little easier (or any other tools anyone might suggest).

GCPT,....anyone,.....who's in? Let's get this idea going, it's an easy DIY, and looks pretty damn good.

Post any ideas, suggestions, or interest.

[Scooter]

Even the downforcer in the pic looks pretty good (for a silver car)

[Diddy]

as darren mentioned above....this would definitely be an excellent DIY project, simple and sweet!

I believe the metal sheet can be purchased at a local RONA's or Home Depot.  It's just a matter of getting something bendable and securing the sheet on the floor.

please post if u hv any interest in taking part of this project, or better yet, those with experience who wants to help out...would definitely help!

[WhiteOutP5]

I have been looking into this for the longest time

this diamond checkerplate material is NOT cheap

in a 1/8" thickness expect to pay $200.00 - $280.00 for a full 4'x8' sheet, i have phoned sooo many metal shops inquiring about this material. . . home dept or rona dont have any of this material, however my local crappy tire had a little bit (enough to do 1 front mat) for $40+tax

a 4x8 sheet will be enough to do the 4 mats and the truck liner

a 4x4 sheet will be enough to do the 4 mats alone

this is with an approx measurments of ...
front mats being 2.5'x2' each
rear mats being 2'x1.5' each
truck liner being 4'x4' (still will be a bit small if your trying to fit it right into the corners)

by cutting the mats into those rectangular shapes it will be easier to dremal it out to the exact shape, also bending the front mats nicely going up the firewall will be a bastard, i dont believe it comes any thiner then 1/8" think

i hope this makes sense, also i hope i screwed everything up as far as the prcing goes because i really wanted to do this for some time, i phoned ALL kinds of metal shops everywhere, maybe someone has some hook ups with a metal guy

someone please prove me wrong cause i want to do this

[Scooter]

hmmmm,...well that's not good news.

I'm going to look around next weekend and see what I can find for material. I think the problem is that you were getting prices on 1/8" thick sheets. That's pretty thick dude.

I know you said you don't think it's available any thinner,..but it's got to be somewhere.

I would think even 1/16" would be kinda' thick for this project. Maybe 1/32" would be ideal. Obviously the thicker, the more expensive and the harder to work with. So that'll be the biggest challenge,...finding thinner sheets.

[WhiteOutP5]

Darren, let me know via PM or in this post if you can find anything cheaper/thinner because i gave up a long time ago finding material . . maybe i didn't look good enough, but i don't think it comes any thinner

[ALS-protege]

If it's gonna be that cheap in price...Count me in...

Eric...keep me posted bros.

[Scooter]

Just an update,...I noticed on the ebay post that the material they use is ".063 heavy bright diamond plate"

I'm looking for suppliers and we now know that it definately comes in thinner sheets. I will be getting a quote (hopefully) from someone in New York tomorrow for sheets in 1/32", 1/16", and 1/8" thicknesses. But we're looking for any suggestions people might have of places a little closer,...preferrably in the GTA. That'd definately keep the costs down.

[Mike_Moss]

sounds like a very expensive way to add more weight to your already slow station wagons.

[Action Jackson]

Maybe but no carpet to catch the heel during shifting.

[Scooter]

</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote (mike_moss @ July 13 2003,8:13)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">sounds like a very expensive way to add more weight to your already slow station wagons[/QUOTE]<span id='postcolor'>

If I was looking for speed, I definately would have bought a 10 year old 1st gen Protege, and not the &quot;slow station wagon&quot; that will now be another 8 ounces heavier with the floor mats. http://msg.toprotege.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif

What was I thinking!?!?

[Diddy]

LOL...i would've gone for speed if those damn police aren't around all the time...i guess it's better to be all show &amp; no go nowadays instead of the other way around...damn toronto!

[Diddy]

LOL...i would've gone for speed if those damn police aren't around all the time...i guess it's better to be all show &amp; no go nowadays instead of the other way around...damn toronto!

[Mike_Moss]

</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote (Scooter @ July 13 2003,11:20)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">
If I was looking for speed, I definately would have bought a 10 year old 1st gen Protege, and not the &quot;slow station wagon&quot; that will now be another 8 ounces heavier with the floor mats.  http://msg.toprotege.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif

What was I thinking!?!?[/QUOTE]<span id='postcolor'>

errr, sorry to burst your bubble there Scooter, but that 10 year old 1st gen Protege is quicker than your brand new station wagon...diamond plate metal floor mats or not.  http://msg.toprotege.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wink.gif


I guess I need to add a little smilie to every sarcastic tounge-in-cheek post from now on.

[ProBoy]

I was looking at the APC(?) ones at Perforamnce Imp. the other day and was thinking of getting them.

In my work area there are numerous metal shops around. There is one in particualr that I have seen with scrap diamond sheet. Its an armoured car manufactuer.

When I go back to work on Thrusday, I will check out some of the shops. It will be hard as I am on afternoons and most shops will be closed.

Either way, Im in for this.

[Diddy]

good stuff proboy. If you find out anything w/ prices and availability, let us know!

[ProBoy]

Oh, and they should be able to cut as well and have the means to properly finish the edges.

Now that i am thinking, there are one or two places I can look at before then.

[Scooter]

Excellent. Be sure to keep us posted. I'm going to make a couple of calls today as well.

[2003 Mazdaspeed]

if the price is good, then count me in. I m very interested

[CarDemon]

CarDemon(Michael Bryant) aka Giancanna is in!
I currently use deep rubber floor mat allyear round cause the factory P5 Black ones get so dirty. I want something durable and that I can wipe off dirt quickly and easily. It's a very practical and good looking mod.

GCPT is down like James Brown. Fill me in on the price. Would you guys just take a stencil of the factory mats to cut out the metal?

[Scooter]

Yeah, that's what we were thinking (using the stock mats as a guideline). I haven't had too much luck on the material yet, but I'll have more time to look on the weekend. Things are too busy at work right now to be able to spend the day calling places. But then the thing that sucks is some of these places would be closed on weekends.

So we're looking for any help we can get in sourcing the material. That's the hardest part,....so anyone that's interested in doing this, please try to pitch in by raking your brain for any possible suppliers.

Once we get that part figured out, it should be pretty straight forward.

[CarDemon]

</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote (Scooter @ July 14 2003,7:40)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">So we're looking for any help we can get in sourcing the material. That's the hardest part,....so anyone that's interested in doing this, please try to pitch in by raking your brain for any possible suppliers.

Once we get that part figured out, it should be pretty straight forward.[/QUOTE]<span id='postcolor'>
This is the part I love in the club project DIY's. Everyone on this board has a buddy of a buddy, who has a friend of a friend who's cousin's mother's boyfriend's Aunt has a son named Cooter, the guy with the tow truck who knows of this one guy who could get a great deal on this. http://msg.toprotege.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/crazy.gif

[Scooter]

I've been talking to Wingman21 about the material. He just recently did a floor plate / foot rest and posted pics in the gallery section. He said he got the metal from his dad's shop.

He's checking with his dad to see if he could sell us a few sheets. I've told Martin (Wingman21) that his help would be greatly appreciated.

Hopefully we'll get lucky.

[ProBoy]

Ive chatted with two places over the phone. One says their gauge of sheet metal is too think, the other has no idea what Im talking about and keeps asking if I have a hole in my floor that needs to be fixed. http://msg.toprotege.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif

[kiwee]

hey guys. there is a place around called metal super market. they sell metals as reasonable prices supposedly. they are also online.
Metal Supermarkets (http://www.metalsupermarkets.com/)
i am at work right now and have no time to call, so maybe someone else can check it out. as you probably can guess, i would like to hook this up as well! lockdownp5 also has this done to his car (saw it around january).

[ProBoy]

His are the Ractive ones.

[kiwee]

</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote (ProBoy @ July 15 2003,12:34)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">His are the Ractive ones.[/QUOTE]<span id='postcolor'>
i am not too sure about that. he told me his buddy cut them for him at his pops shop. the cuts were made with a lazer cutter so there were absolutely no burrs and sharp edges and it was a perfect fit for the pro5.

[midnightp5]

Thought I'd add my $0.02.

I used to be a steel buyer, so I know a little about metal.


Don't use 1/16, its too thin, and would look like shit after a while. It will dent/bend out of shape eventually.

Don't buy polished Galvanized, or polished aluminizerd. It will look good when you first get it, but it will corrode/rust after a while. Make sure you purchase Polished 1/8&quot; T304 Stainless Checkerplate. It is more expendsive, but won't rust like the other materials.

If your looking for a Stainless supplier you can try Rolark Stainless Inc. they are located in Concord 416-798-7770

You could possibly use a tool callled a nibbler to cut the sheet. It should work on 1/8&quot; and it leaves a pretty clean cut, but good luck finding someone that has one. You could always use a plasma cutter (also very expendsive)

Good Luck

[Scooter]

I've emailed Metal Supermarkets requesting a quote on Polished 1/8&quot; T304 Stainless Checkerplate. Also, Wingman21 is having his dad look into pricing and avilability for us.

Would anyone else be able to contact Rolark as suggested by Midnightp5?

[ProBoy]

Kiwee.......I seem to remember him saying he had them cut now in reference to the Ractive ones.

It was a while ago.

[WhiteOutP5]

like i said i checked out a lot of these places and still have all the quotes i have approx. 10 of them, this was a while ago though

metal supermarkets was about $350 for a 4'x8' sheet in 1/8&quot;

a 4'x8' sheet will do 2 cars (4 mats each)

this stuff is crazy expensive in 1/8&quot; again hopefully someone can find some deals

[2003 Mazdaspeed]

how much metal do i need if i only want to do the 2 front seat?

[Scooter]

these are the measurements Alex got when he measured.

</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote (WhiteOutP5 @ July 13 2003,3:58)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">this is with an approx measurments of ...
front mats being 2.5'x2' each
rear mats being 2'x1.5' each
truck liner being 4'x4' (still will be a bit small if your trying to fit it right into the corners)[/QUOTE]<span id='postcolor'>

[CarDemon]

Just from the ball park $ figure GCPT is 1/2steppin backwards like Bobby Brown.

[Scooter]

</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote (CarDemon @ July 17 2003,07:36)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">Just from the ball park $ figure GCPT is 1/2steppin backwards like Bobby Brown.[/QUOTE]<span id='postcolor'>
Obviously this will not go through if the metal is that expensive (it'd be cheaper to buy them pre-made).

But we're still trying to source the metal at a good price.

Right now the best hope we seem to have going for us is Wingman21 who's dad might be able to order the metal for us.

I've had numerous conversations with him (PM) and he's checking with his dad on stuff now. I'll post when I hear details.

I've also PMd lockdown to see how / where he got his, or the material.

[2003 Mazdaspeed]

Will it be cheaper if we buy it as a group???...

[Scooter]

That's what we're trying to do. But for most of these places, it's probably still a pretty small order compared to what they usually get. So they're gonna' jack the prices up.

As people have mentioned. Our best bet is if we can find a hook up through someone that knows someone etc.

[ProBoy]

Okay, I was able to stop by and chat with someone for the plating.

Unfortunately their plating does not suit our purposes as it is a little too thick.

The guy is going to try and do some inquiring on our behalf but the pricing is still up there and a lot of people would have to be onboard to make is worthwhile.

On a side note, we can get a group by on armour plating for our cars.

We can &quot;bullet-proof&quot; our P5's starting at a $10,000 US.

[MP5Navy]

If you guys are serious about getting the floor mats in the diamond plate I can hook you up with a guy I meet just last week through my friend Hi.

His name is Carrie and works at Seneca Autobody on Cawthra and Lakeshore. He can get Diamond Plate for ~$220 4x8 1/8th. He has the stuff in stock but can order thinner gauge though he mentioned it would dent and look raggamuffin after a bit of use. You can put together a group buy with him. He can also polish valve covers for $100 in a group buy of 10 people - this is something I'm thinking about organizing a bit later down the road.

IMO for a Rice mod I think this project is a bit too expensive.

[2003 Mazdaspeed]

4x8 will do for 2 cars... so $100 for one rite?, 4 mats in a car.. so that is around $25 per mat rite? i think the price is a bit too high for a mat

[Scooter]

Agreed. I didn't realize that the material would be so expensive when Eric and I originally discussed it. Wingman22 got back to me on pricing, but it's till around the same range that WhiteOutP5 had suggested.

I also contacted the guy on ebay to see if he would do a group buy, but even that is pricey ($79 USD with a group buy of 10 people of more + shipping)

[2003 Mazdaspeed]

</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote (Scooter @ July 22 2003,5:37)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">Agreed. I didn't realize that the material would be so expensive when Eric and I originally discussed it. Wingman22 got back to me on pricing, but it's till around the same range that WhiteOutP5 had suggested.

I also contacted the guy on ebay to see if he would do a group buy, but even that is pricey ($79 USD with a group buy of 10 people of more + shipping)[/QUOTE]<span id='postcolor'>
79US?... so that is around $120 CAD.. is it 4X8??.. and is it the same thickness we want? coz its so much cheaper

[Scooter]

That's for 4 pre-made mats (2 front + 2 back),...same ones I posted in the original thread,..only he'd do them for the Protege instead. Shipping would be extra, but we could possibly ship to one location and save some cash that way.

Still kinda' pricey in my opinion, but definately cheaper than it would be to do it ourselves (contrary to what I originally thought)

Same as these, only, cut for Protege (http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=42612&item=2423386081)

[2003 Mazdaspeed]

Wouldn't it be cheaper if we get it from the deal from MP5Navy?? and we don't have to pay for the shipping too but we just have to get someone to cut it

[Scooter]

</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote (2003 Mazdaspeed @ July 22 2003,8:01)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">Wouldn't it be cheaper if we get it from the deal from MP5Navy?? and we don't have to pay for the shipping too but we just have to get someone to cut it[/QUOTE]<span id='postcolor'>
Yeah, it would. You probably missunderstodd what I was saying. All I mentioned was that I had also looked into a possible group buy, but even that route was expensive.

It'd be cheaper getting the material and doing it ourselves,..but as everyone has mentioned,...it would still not be cheap by any means. The material is crazy expensive, and not knowing what we're really doing,...I'd hate to be practicing on metal that's $200 a sheet.

Believe me,...if I thought this was still realistic, I'd be all for it. But it's not looking too promising anymore.

[Protoss]

i like the look od diamond plate, but....

I am a team captian for GNCTR, we used diamond plate as a brake plate to stop a 1000lbm concrete sled... and it did not bend very easily.

http://gnctr2004.ca

moulding diamond plate is hard... you could probalby do it at home but the outcome might not be what was planned. I dont mean to neg on this but just a heads up. if you knowa metal shop or machine shop that can help you then you should be fine, else this might get hard and tedious(sp) just a heads up.

and if you do pull it off i would be interested in a set for my front seats...

[2003 Mazdaspeed]

well.. if the price is as it is.. how many ppl are interested?

[Hedges]

</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote (2003 Mazdaspeed @ July 23 2003,5:53)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">well.. if the price is as it is.. how many ppl are interested?[/QUOTE]<span id='postcolor'>
Did you guys do it yet? I wouldnt mind doing it too!

[Scooter]

</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote (Hedges @ April 05 2004,01:48)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE"></span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote (2003 Mazdaspeed @ July 23 2003,5:53)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">well.. if the price is as it is.. how many ppl are interested?[/QUOTE]<span id='postcolor'>
Did you guys do it yet? I wouldnt mind doing it too![/QUOTE]<span id='postcolor'>
Nothing ever came of this. The metal was too expensive. I've found another source and might revisit it this summer if I get the funds. I'll post if I do.

[viper_707]

theres a metal supply store near my work and they can get 4x8 sheets of thin aluminum diamon plate for around $272.

I'm not sure about cutting it but i do have a big break (something that bends metal) at work

[B-Rock]

</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote (Protoss @ July 23 2003,12:49)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">moulding diamond plate is hard... you could probalby do it at home but the outcome might not be what was planned. I dont mean to neg on this but just a heads up. if you knowa metal shop or machine shop that can help you then you should be fine, else this might get hard and tedious(sp)  just a heads up.  [/QUOTE]<span id='postcolor'>
I work at a machine shop, I do both CNC and Gerenal, I got all the tool's u might need to cut it i think, but i don't know about the material. I did a nice shift knob that i just have to finish up.

http://mpbrock106.web1000.com/shift.jpg

[Action Jackson]

Bump.

Anyone still interested?

I need just enough to partially cover the heel area and behind the clutch pedal's farthest travel [to the floorwell].

I want to be able to attach this to the supplied mat for everyday driving.

[DjBooMeR]

i'm interrested in doing this....it's kinda like a nicer all-season right?...the pic link doesn't work

Dave

[Action Jackson]

I've been in touch with someone in Thornhill who does Diamond Plate Floor Mats.

I'll let you guys know the details.

[CrazyCaker]

</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote (Action Jackson @ July 25 2004,6:37)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">I've been in touch with someone in Thornhill who does Diamond Plate Floor Mats.

I'll let you guys know the details.[/QUOTE]<span id='postcolor'>
http://ib2.toprotege.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/thumbs-up.gif

[kiwee]

</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote (CrazyCaker @ July 25 2004,7:31)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE"></span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote (Action Jackson @ July 25 2004,6:37)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">I've been in touch with someone in Thornhill who does Diamond Plate Floor Mats.

I'll let you guys know the details.[/QUOTE]<span id='postcolor'>
http://ib2.toprotege.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/thumbs-up.gif[/QUOTE]<span id='postcolor'>
werd!

[tekkie]

For what its worth they have them at Nopi but they are pretty expensive. If anyone knows someone that has a laser or plasma cutter this should be pretty easy to do once you can get the plating.

http://www.nopionline.com/nopisto....%202002 (http://www.nopionline.com/nopistore/dsp_part_detail.cfm?vmakeid=220&vmodelid=120&vcatyear=2002&vnopinum=016%2B0441&vTitle=MAZDA%20Protege%202002)

[Action Jackson]

I just want to get people's input as to what they want in terms of the diamond plating.

I've got a mat with a small piece of diamond plate that I've been experimenting with. I've put it behind the clutch and then under the heels.

I'm still experimenting.

[Hedges]

Hey i'm in for the door sills! I'll bring whatever tools you guys need , should be something laying around in my parents shop! anyway we can make it light up http://ib2.toprotege.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif

[Scooter]

</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote (Action Jackson @ July 25 2004,10:10)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">I just want to get people's input as to what they want in terms of the diamond plating.

I've got a mat with a small piece of diamond plate that I've been experimenting with. I've put it behind the clutch and then under the heels.

I'm still experimenting.[/QUOTE]<span id='postcolor'>
My plan was to do full mats,.....as in the size of the stock floor mats. I really only care about the 2 front mats,.....not too concerned about that back or trunk.

But if you guys read through the previous pages,....this metal is crazy-expensive. Unless one of you has a hook-up to get it cheap.

I'm still interested if someone has a hook-up.

[DjBooMeR]

I'd like to do the front....but I agree that this stuff is pretty expensive...

[2003 Mazdaspeed]

Go to this link THIS (http://www.cardomain.com/memberpage/653709/2) Someone installed on their MSP in the state. I dont' have a car domain account can someone pm that guy?

[Scooter]

</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote (2003 Mazdaspeed @ Aug. 06 2004,05:44)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">Go to this link THIS (http://www.cardomain.com/memberpage/653709/2) Someone installed on their MSP in the state. I dont' have a car domain account can someone pm that guy?[/QUOTE]<span id='postcolor'>
Wow,...nice ride! But what the heeeeeeeeellllll was he thinking with that spoiler!?!?! http://ib2.toprotege.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/crazy.gif

[2003 Mazdaspeed]

you saw his floor mat right?

[tekkie]

that spoiler is hidious, but damn that IC is so sweet http://ib2.toprotege.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/inlove.gif and I love the evo hood

[Scooter]

</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote (2003 Mazdaspeed @ Aug. 07 2004,04:05)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">you saw his floor mat right?[/QUOTE]<span id='postcolor'>
saw it,....I don't have an account either though. Tried posting the question of where he go it, but couldn't.

[DjBooMeR]

I have a cardomain account....but there is no option to pm (I don't think)