Cricut mat not sticky?

[bigbabyblues]

Both of my mats have lost their stickiness. Is there anything I can do? Our WM doesn't sell them anymore, and all the stores that do are an hour away. We are expecting more white stuff tomorrow, so I won't be able to go get one.

Thanks!
Steph

 

[ImDMous]

I haven't tried it yet, but I've heard you can spray them with Krylon Easy-Tack. Just tape the edges first so you still have non-sticky places to hold and so the rollers on your cricut don't get gummed up.

This article has some ideas and detailed steps:
http://thescrapmaster.com/2009/02/how-to-make-cricut-cutting-mats-sticky.html

 

[JandJ]

I was having the same issue and complained to DH that I have to buy new ones. Being the engineer that he is, he asked to see them. He rolled a tape style lint roller over them and unbelievably they're good as new! I don't know how long it will last, but I'm guessing it was just a build up of paper bits and paper dust. It's an easy and cheap option to try.

 

[bigbabyblues]

Thank you both! I'm going to try the lint roller tonight.

 

[PrincessNancy96]

Here is a quick search I did... scroll down a little ways and there are like 25 ways to make it sticky again...

http://www.craftaholicsanonymous.net/how-to-re-stick-a-silhouette-or-cricut-cutting-mat

I had heard of the spray adhesive before..
I have heard about the zig pen and let it dry too...
I may try the aileen's tacky glue diluted in water next time...

Hope one of these remedies helps!
We are expecting snow (2-4") over night and then more on Sunday..
Looks like DH will be driving DS17 to his college class tomorrow..

 

[laura&fam]

I was having the same issue and complained to DH that I have to buy new ones. Being the engineer that he is, he asked to see them. He rolled a tape style lint roller over them and unbelievably they're good as new! I don't know how long it will last, but I'm guessing it was just a build up of paper bits and paper dust. It's an easy and cheap option to try.

This makes perfect sense because I can see little bits of paper as my mat loses it's stickiness. What a great idea!

 

[bigbabyblues]

Thanks for the link, Nan!

 

[JohnsonsLoveDisney]

I swipe mine with a baby wipe or an alcohol pad and they perk up.

I have found that regluing leaves a build up on my pieces so if I cant revive them with a swipe then I replace.

 

[bigbabyblues]

Thanks, Rachal! I don't have any baby wipes, but DH is a flight paramedic and I know he has alcohol wipes in his truck. I used the lint roller, and it did help quite a bit.

Steph

 

[JohnsonsLoveDisney]

Yup those work too. you might need a few if they are the little 1 inch squares. Does wonders!

 

[dumbodame]

What has worked best for me is this...

I clean the old residue off the mats with Goo Gone. When they are dry, I tape the edges off with painters tape, and then spray them with June Tailor's Quilter's Basting Spray.

A can of that spray will last me one year.

 

[JandJ]

Glad the lint roller trick helped. I know I prefer something easy and virtually free (since I have 4 lint rollers in the house) whenever possible

 

[Bloom66]

After every time I cut with my Cricut, I use a baby wipe and really rub it hard all over the mat. If I see things sticking in the cut marks, I really rub over them until they come clean. It has worked great for me. The last mat I had, I used for 9 months before it just got pretty useless. And not because it wasn't sticky anymore, but because it had split a few months earlier and I had just taped the back with clear packing tape to hold it together. It just finally got too weak and I didn't trust it anymore to hold together in the middle of a cut. I use my Cricut a lot, so I can't really expect more than 9 months out of a mat with a lot of use.

 

[tefrench]

I first try washing it; then if that doesn't work anymore, use the basting spray. The can was $8.00 at Walmart in the sewing department, and I've used it over a year. I also tape the edges, and save the tape for the next time. In fact, I just did this tonight!

 

[LB1122]

Okay the lint roller is a new one I had not heard...I will try it..
I'm lucky to be close to several stores but making the mats last as long as possible is a good thing as well

 

[dogcarbon]

I did not go thru the link to see what else was suggested. But I do wash my mats with soap and water before a crop, and that really helps to bring some life back into them.

I use the Xyron re-positional cartridges... from the Little X sticker maker.

I take apart the cartridge, place the sticky side down in strips over my mat, brayer it down really hard, then remove the backing.

I have only ever had to do this ONCE to each mat.

I love not having to spray things, and I am impatient and can't wait for the glues to dry.

And relatively cheap at about $3 (with a coupon) and will do at least two mats.

 

[scrapbooksista]

Both of my mats have lost their stickiness. Is there anything I can do? Our WM doesn't sell them anymore, and all the stores that do are an hour away. We are expecting more white stuff tomorrow, so I won't be able to go get one.

Thanks!
Steph

Hi Steph,

The first thing you need to do is clean your mat real well with the tool that came with the machine. Then wash with the mat with warm soapy water. Next tape off the edges of the mat. This is critical, because if you don't you can get glue on the rollers in your machine. And you don't want to do that! Next spray lightly the mat using Krylon Easy-Tack Repositionable Spray. If you spray too much it will take forever to dry. Let the adhensive dry first before you try to use the mat. It will become sticky after it dries.