I love working on cars, but I hate crawling under them. It’s dark and scary! Just kidding, really. But the closer I get to 40, the less I enjoy plunging headfirst into concrete. I have a soft crawler on wheels that slides in and out from under the car on jack stands, and a piece of cardboard can serve as a little cushion when you’re short on space. This garage mat from Husky Liners can make up for the shortcomings of both. It’s fairly portable, super comfortable, and will fit between you and the ground, even if your project car isn’t very tall.
The garage mat is very lightweight and folds down to about 2 x 2 feet. In this position, it acts as a great knee brace. When you need to lie down, the mat folds along one axis and unfolds into a 2 x 4 foot space. It’s only about an inch thick, but the texture of the felt is almost identical to that of a speaker cabinet, and the cushioning is comparable to that of a mid-height camping mattress. The bottom is smooth and can be easily slid across the pavement to get it into place, but once you step on it, it’s hard to budge.
A friend of mine used an old toy foam sled as a “homemade tracked vehicle” for the side of the road, and this garage mat is made on a similar principle. But it’s much more convenient.
Another benefit is that if you have a slightly dirty floor at home and want to quickly check something without getting your shirt dirty, you can take it off and quickly inspect it without putting on your overalls.
It also comes in handy if you need to throw something heavy and fragile out of your car. For example, the front bumper – it doesn’t have to be placed directly on the sidewalk. Garage mats protect chrome and painted items from scratches when they’re on the floor.
However, you need to decide in advance how serious you are about keeping your garage mat clean. If you take care of it, it will keep smelling fresh longer.
Husky Liners claims that the Garage Mat is hose-downable and resistant to stains from automotive chemicals, specifically mentioning “oil, battery acid, and even bleach” on the product page. As for the construction, I poured a little used oil on it for scientific purposes and it didn’t seem to make a difference. The brown stain did remain, however. It can be dulled with water and scrubbing, but a full cleaning would require more effort than I’m willing to spend detailing the process.
In other words, you can use it in dirty conditions without worrying about the oil burning off. But don’t expect it to look like new if it gets exposed to chemicals. Honestly, I recommend covering it with a rag when changing the oil.
If you do hose it down, make sure you don’t have to use it again straight away – it will absorb a lot of water, so you’ll need to leave it in the sun for a few hours to dry. Maybe squeeze it out a few more times.
Still, I think it’s worth the $39.99 price tag. The cheapest low-quality foam sleds on Amazon are currently selling for $11, and I have no doubt that the Husky Liners Garage Liners are at least four times more comfortable and durable. Plus, Husky Liners offers a lifetime, no-questions-asked warranty, so if you damage the product, you can get it replaced.
Perfect for use in the garage, at home, and at racing events. It would even make a great travel accessory as it is much lighter than a traditional crawler tractor and much stronger than a piece of cardboard. I have been using it and will continue to use it until it wears out – then I will check the warranty.
The Husky Liners Garage Mat is available on Amazon, RealTruck, and the official Husky Liners website.
Want us to review another garage product or accessory? Please email andrew.collins@thedrive.com.
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