How do you restick your cricut mat?
 

I was using adhesive spray but that makes everything stick to where it ruins my project, so I am wondering what do you use to restick your mat?

Have you ever used modge podge or any of the Aleene's glues? I only ask as I have some of those on hand. Thanks!

You can use the repositionable adhesive cartridge for the Xyron machines. I've used it to re-sticky my CraftRobo mat and it works great. Make sure you wash and let you mat dry completely to get rid of any paper or lint residue on the mat. This may rejuvinate it enough to work with if you don't want to apply new adhesive. I have also used non-acetone nail polish remover to clean my mat and it was like new after that.

Oh cool, thanks! I don't have a xyron machine though, but I do have some nail polish remover!

2 way glue
make sure it dries overnight before you put the plastic on it or any paper to cut.

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I always make sure to wipe off my mats with a baby wipe after every session and let them dry. I've had my mats since November and I've only had to resticky one this last week. I used the Pink Stamper method-use Goo Gone to remove all glue, washed with soap and water, dried it and then used a Zig Two Way Glue Pen (Biggie Tip is what I used) all over the mat and let dry overnight. Worked like a charm!

Crafters Companion has come out with a duo deal...a spray to remove all adhesive and a repositional spray. If you're in Seattle or Puwallup Wa...there is a scrapbook convention going on...great place to get the spray. Otherwise I would contact Crafters Companion and see where they sell it in your area.

I have a Wishblade, but use the Cricut mats with it. I've had good luck refreshing them using Krylon re-positionable adhesive spray.

1. I clean the mats with soap and water. I might even use a gentle scrub brush.
2. Let the mats dry.
3. Then I use blue painters tape to tape off where the rollers are going to hit.
4. Take the mats outside and give it two or three light coats of Krylon re-positional spray adhesive.
5. Let the mats set up for a bit.
6. Remove the blue painters tape.
7. Reapply the plastic protective sheet. If you no longer have the plastic protective sheets, use a couple pieces of acetate (tape together and trim as needed to get the right size).

Works great and enjoy your refreshed mats.

All these methods are good ones. Re-stickying your mats isn't that hard. I have the original mat that came with my Craft Robo and I've had it for over 3 years and have only had to resticky my mat once. A good cleaning with non-acetone nail polish once and it was like new. Good luck with whatever method you choose.

Thank you ladies for sharing what you do. I have some adhesive spray and I cleaned the mat, taped off, sprayed it and let it sit over night and it seems to be working great! I tried polish remover but it must not have been non acetone it didn't work for me. I will look for that next time in the store. Thanks so much!

cricut mats
 

I use basting spray from the quilting dept. at joanns. It works great!

Thanks for the tip about the nail polish remover. Never thought about that.

I couldnt use the spray without getting it everywhere!

I use the zig 2 way glue pen

LOL. I spray outside on the grass.

So it doesn't get too sticky, I stand right back, then leave the mat in the sun to dry for an hour or so.

If my mat isn't sticky enough and I want to use it straight away, I can sometimes get away with using masking tape around the edges.

Just a thought...
I wonder if you could use an anti-static pillow lightly over the mat when it is too sticky?

I haven't tried it, but it would be the same principle as when I stick my stamps to my shirt or pants to get some lint to take away some of the tackiness. I don't see why it wouldn't work. I would take care tho to not get too much powder on there otherwise you'd lose all your tack on the mat. But the good thing is that you could just wash the mat and the powder would probably just wash away and then you could try something else.

I've actually used my husband's lint roller on my CraftRobo mat to give it a quick pick me up. Always works much better after that. But I think it may be time to add adhesive. Thanks for the tips!

Sticky Mat
 

After I reapply my sticky stuff to the mat and let it dry, I then use the palm of my hand and pat it around the dry sticky mat. It helps to take some of the sticky stuff off, but not so much that it won't stick. HTH

nail polish remover, need to try

How?
 

How, exactly, is the nail polish remover used? Does it take off the sticky finish before re-sticking it or does it just clean up between uses? Thanks.

I have the same question. What is the purpose of the polish remover?

okay I cleaned off my mat, dried and cleaned up with some nail polish remover and it got sticky again, so good. :)

Sticky Mat
 

So, let me get this right...you cleaned the mat with soap and water and when it was dry, you applied nail polish remover to make it sticky again? Was this on a mat that has never been re-done or on one that has been treated before? Sorry to act so stupid, but I am a bit confused. Thanks.

I use Crafters Companion Stick Away to remove the residue and yuck from my mat. I do not like their spray adhesive. I use 2 way zig glue instead. The Crafters Companion repositionable spray, glumps and comes out like silly string. Maybe it is the humidity.

I agree with you about their spray adhesive. That is what I used when I did my mat and it really wasn't even. I am a little nervous about the Zig 2 way because the last time I got it, I got the large size and it kept leaking and I had to return it. I do use their pens for adhering delicate pieces from the Cricut. Perhaps, I will try again. Meanwhile, I am still trying to figure out the nail polish thing! :confused:

Actually, its non-acetone nail polish remover. I use it to clean my mat for my CraftRobo. It takes away the dirt and paper lint but leaves the mat still sticky. Just use a cotton pad with some remover and rub your mat with it. It doesn't matter whether you wash it first or not, or whether you've redone the adhesive.

how do you restick your cricut mat
 

Great find
Ladies, you can order crafter's Companion Repositionable Adhesive and Cleaning Kit in CANADA. Go to Costco.ca and type in companion crafter's stick away spray and it will come up. You get a four pack two of each for 29.99 includes shipping , you just have to pay GST and appicable PST. it is item #249286.
Happy shopping

these are all great idea's. I think I'll try the nail polish method first. Heck nail polish is only $1.oo right. If it doesn't work, I'll give it to my daughter. no loss there.

thanks for all the tips. I kept all my cricit mats that don't stick anymore. I knew someone would have a trick.

OK, I think people aren't reading what I put here. You CAN'T use nail polish. You need to use NAIL POLISH REMOVER - non acetone nail polish remover. You'll definitely ruin your mat if you use nail polish. But it will look pretty. :)

Another way to restick the mat (after cleaning the old adhesive off), is to use Eileen's Tack it Over and Over. Mix it with water to thin it first. 1 part glue and 1 part water. Then use a foam brush to apply it lightly. I use this indoors in the winter because I can't stand the mess and smell of the spray adhesive. Just be carefult to not get any outside of the grid area on the mat.

do you put the plastic on right away when using this method or do you let dry then put the plastic cover on and will it work on cricut mats too

I let it dry for a couple of hours before putting the plastic back on.

Oh. Oh. Just found this thread on a topic I'm having a big problem with right this very moment.

I need to re-stick my carrier mat and live in a place where it's very hard to get any aerosol type adhesive sprays - they can't be shipped in by air mail. I can get 3M 75 locally and I tried that (at great cost!). It sticks well but it leaves a terrible residue behind after removing pieces. Useless for me. Bad, bad.

I am cutting photos and the image side must be stuck down to score/cut the back. So when I pull off it's really not good to have glue residue remaining on the image side.

I really like the idea of using Aleene's tack it Over and Over. I should be able to get some shipped to me here without problems. BUT can someone please confirm that it won't leave sticky residue on photos after the cutting is done? It sounds perfect if that point can be met.

Otherwise maybe sign cutters transfer paper would work? Has anyone tried that. I don't think it will leave sticky residue behind.

I just read elsewhere that the Aleene's glue leaves a residue on pieces.

Can anyone report here if the Zig 2 Way glue leaves a bit of sticky on cut pieces?

I'm desperate for some method that doesn't sticky up my photos. It's not a huge amount of goo but it's enough to mar the smooth photo finish.

Are you placing them on your mat face down? Perhaps put them on the mat face up and the residue (if any) would be on the back of the photo... just a thought.

Yes, face down. I have to do it this way because some of the cuts are actually score lines (not full thru). If I did them on the front they would leave white lines where I fold them. Certainly I would cut the other way if I could and then not worry about residues.

I guess most people don't pay much attention to whether glue is being left on their pieces. In my case when it's an image, it's not so good.

I'm not sure if the Aileene's TIO&O leaves a residue as I haven't tried it myself, but I do know that once in a while, the repo xyron adhesive will come off my mat and stick to my papers. I usually just roll it off with my fingers since its not that sticky, but it may mar a photo. Sorry, I don't know anything else to use that wouldn't hurt the photo surface. I never cut photos with my CraftRobo. Maybe someone on the cricut boards might know of something that will resticky a cutting mat but not leave a residue.

took me a while too to get this straight...yes its ok to use non acetone nail polish remover for cleaning up your mat and it will still be sticky. yeah!!! I have a question about a substitute for the mat when it needs to be replaced. The Sil mat is pricey and I would like to have a couple extra so I could be cutting one sheet while pulling off from another. Any ideas would be much appreciated. I love this thread and love this site. So much helpful info and everyone is so willing to share.. a very sweet spirit here

I use Alene's Tack it over and over and it has never left residue. I also use it full strength though. I think I will try watering it down. It is VERY sticky. By the way, I would start looking into other cutting machines as PC will be raising the prices on their cartridges and also the machine is made to only last three years. Can't wait till mine dies.

Thanks to everyone for this info! You are all so helpful.

I've heard you can use the Baby Biggie Zig Pen. I don't know if it works though. I have the Chisel Tip and it doesn't work very well, just turns the tip different colors.