Rubber floor mat cutting out seat holes

[Sandyman]

So I'm sure this has been asked before though I couldn't find exactly what I'm after. Having bought a hole-less lwb rear floor mat, I now need to cut out openings for a 2+1 and triple bench seat config. I'm looking at the templates on the underside...but where do I cut precisely? Presumably the bracket coverings need to fit nicely over the holes without any gaps showing, so do I cut around the perimeter of the inner rectangle, or halfway between that and the outer edge of the bracket cover? Your help much appreciated as usual...don't wanna make any stupid (newbie) mistakes!

 

[david173]

So I'm sure this has been asked before though I couldn't find exactly what I'm after. Having bought a hole-less lwb rear floor mat, I now need to cut out openings for a 2+1 and triple bench seat config. I'm looking at the templates on the underside...but where do I cut precisely? Presumably the bracket coverings need to fit nicely over the holes without any gaps showing, so do I cut around the perimeter of the inner rectangle, or halfway between that and the outer edge of the bracket cover? Your help much appreciated as usual...don't wanna make any stupid (newbie) mistakes!

I cut just outside the inner rectangle, i rekon the inner rectangle is the projection of the metal bracket. You only need a small gap between the metal and the rubber mat to fit the plastic cover. As with everything try one first with less cut, as you can always cut more but you cant add it back!
Also double check which ones your cutting and will be the opposite side when upside down!

 

[Sandyman]

Thanks david173, yeah good idea to cut round the rectangle and see how it fits. I suppose all I'm after is to have enough of a gap to be able to fasten the covers to the brackets once mat is down.
Yeah when I had the mat upside in the living room my first thought was that it WAS upside down and to really think about that before a Stanley knife went anywhere near it...it reminded me of the time my new kitchen cabinet door ended up with four holes when fitting a handle that required two!

 

[DXX]

If you use a hole punch on the corners of the rectangular hole you’ll get a better result.

 

[Sandyman]

I suppose one that you hammer down on to?

 

[DXX]

I suppose one that you hammer down on to?

Yes, this sort of thing, hammer down onto hardwood, try and do in one hit.
You should be able to purchase a single punch online, decide on the radius you need and double it to get the punch size.
Just an example

https://cpc.farnell.com/hilka-tools/49800012/hollow-punch-set-12pc/dp/TL17196

EDIT: practice on the centre of the piece you are cutting out.

 

[Sandyman]

Cheers yeah that's what I had in mind.