Transforming exercise mats into gaming boards?

[Predatorpt]

As anyone tried using these kind of mats:



and turn them into terrain?

I saw some examples here:



http://theminiaturespage.com/boards/msg.mv?id=124572

and here:


http://lukeuedasarson.blogspot.pt/p/blog-page_2.html

but I would like some hands-on experiences 

My brother had 8 mats of those type that were ruined in the flood we had at home. I just need to clean the mud out of them and then I can keep them. I'm planning on using them to make a WW2 board with some nice Normandy like terrain (fields and a small village), so any help is appreciated.

[SotF]

Might not be the best of ideas with the flooded ones, those mats tend to absorb a lot of water, and if it's a flood situation, you'll likely end up with mold and bacteria problems

[Predatorpt]

Might not be the best of ideas with the flooded ones, those mats tend to absorb a lot of water, and if it's a flood situation, you'll likely end up with mold and bacteria problems

Really? I didn't had the slightest idea about that 

These are supposed to be heavy duty gym floor mats, so I gathered they would be alright once I cleaned them up. They aren't damp or anything, just muddy 

[WitchfinderGeneral]

I thought you can't get the flood-dirt smell out of the mats. If they're not smelly, I don't think there's a problem. As long as you're not eating from them...

Looks good for modular terrain, with streets and rivers on them! For just plain 'sand' surface I don't see the advantage.

[SotF]

Really? I didn't had the slightest idea about that 

These are supposed to be heavy duty gym floor mats, so I gathered they would be alright once I cleaned them up. They aren't damp or anything, just muddy 

The things are heavy duty and durable, but most of the exercise mats are not designed to be submerged and similar. They aren't really designed for more than a small amount of water or a spill for a short time.

The big problem is that flood water tends to have a lot of other stuff mixed in that can get nasty.

[Dr DeAth]

Pour a mixture of boiling water and bleach over them and then re-dry them; that should cure any malingering bacteria or nasties. 

[Predatorpt]

Thanks for the suggestions guys, but I've already dropped the project. Yesterday I went to clean the mats and noticed that most of they are bent out of shape. They dried out that way and there's nothing I can do.

[Terrible Tim]

What a great idea......hmmmm

[6mmfan]

Yes I did as well. It is a very cheap and effect way to make boards if you dont have access to pink/blue foam.





The final effect was very good. However after a couple of years of use I chopped off the interlocking parts as they started to perish.

Here is some detailed instructions of how I made them (over 3 parts plus extra pieces for the boards)

http://6mm.wargaming.info/page3.shtml

With interlocking bits





Without interlocking bits





I prefer the cleaner look of not having the interlocking parts although they hold the boards togetehr well.

Notre I hope to start a new project this year with a whole new set of boards

Cheers
Kieran

[Predatorpt]

Thanks for the tutorial, Kieran! I dropped the project but I've saved this for future reference