How to Recondition Wrestling Mats

Wrestling mats, where wrestlers compete against each other in professional and amateur competitions, are usually constructed of foam with a vinyl top. The mats range in size to accommodate more than two wrestlers or different types of wrestling. Mats can be worn down by wrestlers' sweat, excessive stomping or bodily contact, and time. Reconditioning and repairing your wrestler's mat ensures it is safe for use and lasts longer.

Things You'll Need

  • Vinyl mat paint
  • Mat glue
  • Wood glue sticks
  • Mat caulking compound
  • Mat solvent
  • Mat cleaner
  • Gloves
  • Safety glasses
  • Plastic bucket
  • Paint brush
  • Mop
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Instructions

    • 1

      Put your gloves on your hands and your safety glasses on your face to protect them from the cleaning and repairing items you will be using.

    • 2

      Take out your mat cleaner, such as Brute Mat Cleaner, Ken Clean or Environmental Chemicals Cleaner, and dump it into a plastic bucket. Dip your mop into the plastic bucket and spread your mat cleaner over your mat with the mop. Follow the instructions given with your cleaner as to how much you need to use to properly clean your mat. Clean your mop and plastic bucket with soap and water when finished.

    • 3

      Apply mat glue, such as ResiTough Egrip Adhesive, Ensolite Glue or Resilite Mat Glue. Look for tears or undone seams on your mat. Repair them by applying your glue with one of your wooden glue sticks. Follow the instructions given with your glue as to how much you should apply to each tear.

    • 4

      Apply caulking compound, such as Resilite Caulking Compound or Ensolite Caulking Compound. Search for holes and surface imperfections on your mat. Fill them in evenly with your caulking compound using one of your wooden glue sticks. Follow the instructions supplied with your caulking compound to see how long it needs to dry.

    • 5

      Paint vinyl over the entire surface of your mat with a paint brush. Use products such as Resilite PolyVinyl Mat Paint or Ensolite Vinyl Paint. Consult your vinyl paint's instructions to see how much should be applied to the mat and how long it needs to dry.

    • 6

      Put your mat solvent, such as Resilite MPK Solvent or Ensolite Solvent, into a plastic bucket. Apply it to the entire mat surface with your mop to bind your new vinyl paint cover to your mat surface. Follow the instructions included with your solvent to see how long the solvent takes to bind your vinyl cover to your mat surface.