Frequently Asked Questions

Product Technology & Manufacturing

WILL MY TRUCK BED RUST IF WATER GETS UNDERNEATH THE BLACK ARMOUR® MAT?

Unlike most porous bed mats on the market, Black Armour® mats are created from 100% high density recycled rubber.  Our unique vulcanization process creates a rubber mat without pores so water runs right off and exits your truck bed through its factory drain holes.  Water will not degrade the Black Armour® mat and its rubber material will not scratch or abrade your truck bed’s factory installed liner, so there is no worry about rusting.

WHAT MAKES A BLACK ARMOUR® MAT THE BEST PERFORMING TRUCK BED MAT ON THE MARKET?

Black Armour® mats are the most rugged and heavy-duty truck bed mats available. Our unique vulcanization process creates a rubber mat without pores so water runs right off and will not degrade the mat over time. Constructed from 100% premium high-grip recycled rubber, its etched checker plate surface texture takes traction control for your cargo to another level.  Black Armour® mats are a ½” thick and can handle anything you throw at them or in your truck!

WHY IS A VULCANIZED RUBBER MAT SUPERIOR TO A POLYURETHANE BOUND RUBBER MAT?

All rubber mats are not created equal!  Polyurethane-bound rubber crumb mats are porous and will absorb water and degrade over time. Black Armour® mats are created from 100% high-density, vulcanized recycled rubber. This unique vulcanization manufacturing process means there are no pores for water to seep into or degrade the longevity of the mat. Black Armour® mats are heavy duty, ½” thick rubber and have a 30-Day Money Back Guarantee and a Limited Lifetime Warranty.

MY TRUCK IS USED FOR WORK AND THE BED SEES A LOT OF HEAVY USE. WILL A BLACK ARMOUR® MAT WITHSTAND THIS?

Precision engineered ½” thickness with exclusive North West Rubber vulcanized technology, Black Armour® offers 100% protection, shielding your truck bed from scratches and dents from even the most demanding cargo.  Our high-density rubber is fade and UV resistant and impervious to non-petroleum-based liquids. Because it is made with 100% rubber, which is non-porous, it will not harbor mold or mildew. You can buy a Black Armour® mat with confidence, because it carries a 30-Day Money Back Guarantee and a Limited Lifetime Warranty.

WHAT’S THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A FOAM MAT AND A BLACK ARMOUR® VULCANIZED RUBBER MAT?

Polyethylene foam mats are susceptible to shrinking when exposed to UV and exterior elements.  Standard installation of many foam mats requires drilling into the truck bed to permanently install snaps. Black Armour® mats are created from 100% high-density, vulcanized recycled rubber. This unique vulcanization manufacturing process means there are no pores for water to seep into or degrade the longevity of the mat. Black Armour® mats are heavy-duty, ½” thick rubber and have a 30-Day Money Back Guarantee and a Limited Lifetime Warranty.

ARE SPRAY LINERS A GOOD OPTION FOR PROTECTING MY TRUCK BED?

A spray-on liner is a great first step in protecting your truck bed. However, spray-on liners do not offer the cargo traction, dent protection or, knee cushioning that our Black Armour Truck Bed Mat provides.  To apply a spray-on liner your paint finish must be sanded or etched to allow the spray liner to adhere to the surface of your truck bed. This process will void your truck’s paint and corrosion protection warranty in some cases. Black Armour® bed mats are constructed from 100% recycled vulcanized rubber and will not damage your paint.  If you want the very best protection for your truck bed, we recommend adding a Black Armour® bed mat on top of your spray-on liner.

HOW IS A BLACK ARMOUR® MAT SUPERIOR TO A DROP-IN PLASTIC LINER?

Drop-in plastic liners require drilling holes in the truck bed to secure the liner to your truck and will shift or vibrate over time damaging your bed’s finish. The Black Armour® mat uses non-abrasive rubber which will not scratch the finish of your truck and installation does not require any drilling holes. Drop-in liners are not only rough on your cargo, but they are also rough on your knees when climbing in to access it. Black Armour® mats provide a joint-friendly ½” rubber surface when you need to climb inside your truck bed. The Black Armour® mat will not fit with a plastic liner installed. You must remove the plastic liner before installing a Black Armour® mat.

Who is North West Rubber?

Black Armour® products are manufactured by North West Rubber – the largest manufacturer of recycled rubber products in the world, with over 50 years of leadership in producing innovative flooring and matting products that lead the way in strength, safety, and sustainability. We own and operate manufacturing facilities in Ontario, British Columbia, Beijing, Texas, and Quebec. We have been proudly protecting the environment by recycling over a billion pounds of scrap tire rubber into useful products since 1968.

When I first unboxed my Black Armour® product, I noticed a rubber odour. Is it safe and non-toxic?
Yes! Recycled rubber is safe based on many published reports, including dozens of peer-reviewed scientific studies and a comprehensive 2019 study conducted by the US-EPA. These reports all agree that recycled tire crumb rubber is safe and poses no significant health, air quality, or environmental risks. The rubber smell will dissipate with ventilation and time, however, if you are particularly sensitive to odour and fragrance, we recommend placing the product in your garage with the doors open or outside on a covered deck or porch for 4-5 days to aid in the odour dissipation.

Cleaning & Installation

WHICH BLACK ARMOUR® MAT IS RIGHT FOR ME? IS INSTALLATION DIFFICULT?

For maximum flexibility, Black Armour® mats are available in both Precision Cut and Universal Fit options for a wide variety of truck models. The Universal Fit Bed Mat fits most short box and crew cab truck beds. For a truly glove-like fit, select the Precision Cut Mat for your specific make and model. Note that Precision Cut mats are available for Ford, Chevy, GMC, RAM, Jeep and Toyota trucks with options for 5.5 foot, 6.5 foot or 8 foot beds.  Black Armour® mats are heavy duty and weigh an average of 83 pounds.  You may need a second person to help lift the mat into your truck bed, but once there, it is easy to install and will give you the confidence you deserve to transport your cargo anywhere.  See our installation video for more information.

MY TRUCK COMES WITH A PRE-FAB LINER. WILL THE BLACK ARMOUR® MAT STILL FIT?

Yes, Black Armour® mats are designed to fit over a truck’s factory installed prefab liner.  The Universal Fit Bed Mat fits most short box and crew cab truck beds. For a glove-like fit, select the Precision Cut Mat for your specific make and model. Note that Precision Cut mats are available for Ford, Chevy, GMC, Dodge, and Toyota trucks with options for 5.5 foot, 6.5 foot or 8 foot beds.

WHAT DO I DO IF GAS OR OIL SPILLS ON MY BLACK ARMOUR® MAT?

If any petroleum product is spilled on the mat, it should be removed immediately to avoid damage and voiding of warranty.

WILL THE BLACK ARMOUR® MAT INTERFERE WITH THE CONTOURS OF MY FACTORY TRUCK BED?

Our proprietary ultra-sonic cutting technology promises a precise, glove-like fit front to back and around wheel wells, so you don’t have to worry about tricky clean-up after your latest job. You’ll find a precision cut mat developed and designed to perfectly fit your truck, whether you’ve got a Ford, Chevy, GMC, Dodge or Toyota. We also offer matching tailgate mat options for many popular models.  If you cannot find your specific make and model, we offer a Universal Fit bed mat that fits most short box and crew cab truck beds.

WILL MY TRUCK’S TIE DOWN HOOKS STILL BE ACCESSIBLE ONCE THE MAT IS INSTALLED?

In most cases Black Armour® mats are designed to allow access to your factory tie down hooks. Should the mat cover a tie down point, it can be cut with a heavy-duty utility knife to provide access.

CAN I USE A BLACK ARMOUR® MAT WITH A TRUCK CAP OR TONNEAU COVER?

Yes!  A Black Armour® mat will not interfere with a cap, lid or tonneau cover.  In fact, when paired with any of these, our mat converts the entire bed of your truck into one large trunk.  When the mat is first installed in an enclosed space you will notice a rubber smell, however, recycled rubber is safe.  Based on many published reports, including dozens of peer-reviewed scientific studies and a comprehensive 2019 study conducted by the US-EPA, all agree that recycled tire crumb rubber is safe and poses no significant health, air quality or environmental risks. The rubber smell will dissipate with ventilation and time.

I HAVE A 5TH WHEEL TRAILER HITCH IN MY TRUCK BED. CAN I STILL USE A BLACK ARMOUR® MAT?

Yes. Simply cut a section of the Black Armour® mat with a heavy-duty utility knife around the 5th wheel hitch where it contacts the sheet metal. Never bolt a 5th wheel hitch on the surface of the Black Armour® mat as rubber is a compressible material and the bolt fastenings may loosen over time. It is important that you always bolt 5th wheel hitches metal to metal.

CAN I TRANSFER MY BLACK ARMOUR® MAT TO ANOTHER TRUCK?

Due to our no-drill installation, Black Armour® mats are easily removed when needed so you can take it with you, providing you’re transferring it to the same model of truck. If you are transferring it to another make and model with a different bed footprint, some gaps may be visible, or trimming may be needed as the precision cut was specific to the original truck the mat was installed in.  Keep in mind that Black Armour® mats are heavy duty and weigh an average of 83 pounds so you may need a second person to help lift the mat into your truck bed, but once there, it is easy to install.

What is the best way to clean my Black Armour® product?
Black Armour® recycled rubber flooring can be cleaned much like carpeting by vacuuming to keep dust to a minimum. Damp mop as needed with a mild soap and water solution using a mild cleanser such as Dawn dish detergent. Be sure to use a clean mop to keep your floor smelling fresh and clean. Sealing the floor is not recommended. It is important not to use any solvent or oil-based cleaners such as Pinesol, Lysol, Murphy’s Oil Soap, WD40, paint thinner, etc. since these types of cleaners will break down the flooring over time.
How do I install Black Armour® products?

Please refer to our installation video here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-bmIK2x3P0g

Warranty

What is the warranty on Black Armour® products?
NWR warrants the product to be free from defects in material or workmanship for a period of 5 Years and agrees to replace those products which disclose such defects when used under normal conditions. Unless otherwise approved by NWR, this warranty will commence on the date of sale as documented by an invoice or bill of lading with the Original Purchaser. Refer to the warranty portion of our website for full details.

Sustainability

Are Black Armour® products environmentally friendly?

Yes, for over 50 years, NWR has partnered with governments, industry stewardship groups, and other environmentally conscious organizations across North America to reduce the number of end-of-life tires destined for the landfill. We have transformed well over a billion pounds of scrap tire rubber into useful, recycled products with our clean energy, closed-loop production process which generates virtually zero rubber waste during manufacturing. All Black Armour® manufacturing surpluses (off-cuts, residual materials, etc.) go straight back into production to create our Black Armour® performance rubber flooring.

Where to Buy

Where can I buy Black Armour® Products?

Black Armour® products are distributed across the United States and Canada. You can purchase our products through one of our partners here.  If you cannot find a location near you, please contact our customer support team here or call us toll-free at: 1.888.222.1073. We will be happy to help.

How to Contact/Discuss a Project

HOW CAN I PARTNER WITH BLACK ARMOUR®?

Please contact our customer support team here or call us toll-free at: 1.888.222.1073. We will be happy to help.

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