Can black rubber mats be painted or coated with something?

[Iride]

Our older horse has a walkout that he tends to spend a lot of time in, and it is rubber matted. With summer coming, it is going to get really hot out on the black rubber mats, and he’s black, too.

We were going to just remove the mats for the summer, as there is dirt underneath. BUT, they are soooo easy to clean, and, they are pretty well embedded out there. Removing and then re-installing is going to be an unwieldy effort.

So, we got the perhaps crazy idea that maybe we could apply rubber paint or a very durable industrial liquid surfacing that is is white or off white, so the mats could stay there, and wouldn’t get so hot.

I realize it sounds like a crazy idea, but I wanted reach out and see if anyone has any input on it! And if so, what kind of paint or liquid should be used? I was thinking an etching primer then a pool epoxy rubber paint?

[saje]

What about whitewall tire paint?

http://www.rangerpaint.com/products/white-sidewall

Can’t hurt to try painting. It may wear off, but if it gets you through to fall then it may only need yearly touch ups.

[Iride]

Thanks saje, didn’t think of tire paint, I will add it to the products to be considered!

[Guilherme]

I would guess that if you are in a reasonably urban area then you can find an industrial paint dealer that will sell retail (there is one in Knoxville; maybe there are more). Tell them what you want to do and they should be able to advise you.

Painting black mats white and having them stand up under equine feet, urine, spilled water, cleaning, sunlight, etc.? On that I’ll have to wish you lots of luck; I think you’ll need it!!!

G.

[Lucassb]

Perhaps you could put something over the mats ? Shavings or sand or something along those lines?

[Bluey]

White may reflect back and sunburn the horse.
I don’t know what is worse, the heat on a black surface, or a possibly sunburned horse.

If you still want white, there is a white rubber type membrane roofers mop on roofs that would work for what you want and is not very expensive.
They may have it in other colors.
You could call around about that, some roofer may have it.

A friend used it to paint her very old corrugated metal shop that was needing painting and said it is a wonderful insulator, doesn’t get as hot in there as it used to by many degrees.
Some roofers spray that on, others mop it on.

[SugarRush]

TBH its not the color of the mats that makes it them so hot, its the fact that they’re made out of rubber. Painting them (even with an industrial paint) would not likely be successful–horse hooves, plus high temperatures, plus a surface that flexes. Is it possible to throw a canopy over the mats? Then they could stay cool in the shade and the horse would be out of direct sunlight as well.

[goodhors]

I would try some cheap paint, see how it works on the mats in lasting a while. I marked our initials on some mats I took to Fair for DD’s stalled horse. Sure made stall cleaning MUCH easier than the dirt floor there!
I then put mats outside, under a gate, was quite surprised at how long the paint lasted. It was cheap white paint out of a spray can. Probably Krylon paint. I know they were still visible for Fair use the next summer!

I would go with the shavings over gravel, easy to clean up since horse hangs there to poop. But gravel can be a dark color. This would be helpful with the reflected light problem, which might be a true issue for the horse. Especially if he has ANY white on his underside. Hereford cattle that calve early can get snow reflection sunburn on white udders, won’t let the calves nurse because it is so painful. Got that one from my Grampa. Lots of stories here on COTH about spotted horses getting sunburned on their white places in summer sunshine. Shavings could cover the black mat. Guess you would need to make sure they were not white shavings or sawdust that also might be light reflective until they darkened with time and use.

I would not buy fancy, expensive paint to color the mats. I would try the cheap stuff first, see if I had problems with it in that use and setting. I believe the other things in that setting might make “good paint” cost more than the value returned. Hard to watch expensive paint peel off in shorter times.

A couple new cans of Krylon are cheap, easy to do a respray if it peels a bit.

Another thought is horse might LIKE having warm black mat to stand on, makes his feet feel nice! Good luck with this project.

[Iride]

Thanks for all of the suggestions so far. If the barn owner allows me to install a canopy, that would be best.

I did think about the issue of light reflection off of white. For that reason I was also considering light blue.

As for shavings, it is a slightly sloping surface, and, I don’t know if the barn owner would allow it as tons of shavings will undoubtedly get blown out onto the surrounding grass.

As for horse liking warm surfaces to stand on…well… ime a cool hoof is healthier and safer than a warm hoof. :yes:

Oh, and yes I did consider that the problem might be the material - rubber - in addition to the black color.

In the end I may end up just removing the mats for the summer months, and just dealing with the added difficulty of keeping the dirt walkout clean. Heck I spend all day laboring at the farm anyway, what is one more extra effort I suppose…

[DHCarrotfeeder]

I would not attempt a rattle can paint unless it’s approved for rubber as a base material.

Under hooves, the coating will have to be incredibly flexible, stand up to high shear forces, etc. It would need to be a special polymer or elastomer coating. Probably rolled on, not sprayed.

My grandfather painted homes for years. He said (30 years ago): “Paint ain’t what it used to be”. I will assert that it’s gone way beyond that with today’s waterbased paints.

I hate to bear bad news but if there is a suitable coating that can be applied by roller, it won’t be your average paint and your surface prep will have to be immaculate. I’d look at other options. What about spreading straw or wood shavings?

[Iride]

Thanks DHCarrotfeeder. Straw is an interesting option… less of it would get blown out onto the grass like shavings would. However I am a complete spaz when it comes to mucking straw. I doubt it will pan out, especially exposed to the elements (same with shavings)…drenched straw and shavings, no good :no:

Does anyone know where to purchase a canopy-type covering (if that’s the word) that we could install safely? I.e., we’re up on a knoll and it gets pretty windy at times, so we’d need something that would withstand windy weather. Anyone? It’s a 12’ x 12’ walkout area from the stall, with dirt and grass surrounding. What should we look for? I’m sure out West there are lots of this type of thing, not so much here in the Northeast so… we’re interested, but ignorant

[SugarRush]

http://www.tractorsupply.com/content_landing-page_shelterlogic

You might be able to find what you’re looking for here (whatever your budget is and the size you’d like). Make sure you can secure it to the barn and/or fence as well for extra wind protection, and some of the cover materials are more rain/weatherproof than others. Hope that helps!

[Iride]

SugarRush, I didn’t even think of looking at the obvious - Tractor Supply! Duh. Thanks!

I’m going to check FarmTek too…

[JannieC]

Over the years, I have bought a lot of shade cloth from FarmTek. You can hang it on the front of the run-in to keep the sun and bugs out. Also, to be really decadent, install a fan! Then you have a shady area with some air movement.