Un-warp self-healing possible?

April 4, 2007 4:05 PM

How do I straighten a warped self-healing cutting mat? Yes, I left it in the back seat of my car and with the combo of the sun and the way it was leaning it no longer lays flat. It's rather large, around 23x35 so pressing it under a book isn't an option. Anyone have some ideas / go through this before?
posted by sweetmarie to Sports, Hobbies, & Recreation (7 answers total)

I've certainly had this problem, and I think what I did was put it on a big desk, move the desk to a warm spot, and stack books on various corners. 24x35 isn't so big that an encyclopedia set wouldn't flatten it. That plus bending it in the reverse direction a bit. My approach was mostly just time plus warmth.
posted by salvia at 4:12 PM on April 4, 2007

Do you have tile or hardwood floor? Press it under a carpet for a month or so.
posted by jkaczor at 4:19 PM on April 4, 2007

In future - store these suckers flat - I find under the couch is the best place.
posted by jkaczor at 4:19 PM on April 4, 2007

I've had luck with putting one between a mattress and box spring for a couple days. (Make sure there are no springs poking through.)
posted by fluffy battle kitten at 4:30 PM on April 4, 2007

Use double-sided tape it to attach it to something flat. Figerglass carpet tape is plenty strong. If it doesn't unwarp, at least you can use it.
posted by hydrophonic at 6:56 PM on April 4, 2007

Put it on top of your clothes dryer when you're drying a load of towels. Add a layer of books on top. The heat should help it regain shape.
posted by ersatzkat at 7:12 PM on April 4, 2007

Leave it out in the sun on a flat surface (table, patio, ground, whatever) until it gets nice and hot and flat, then move it somewhere flat and cool (laundry floor, table in the shade, whatever) and let it cool down.

Basically repeating the warping process from the car, but in a flat place.

Worked for me.
posted by pivotal at 8:35 PM on April 4, 2007