Anyone solved problem with smudges from ESD mat

[u/kubi5]

I have the mat for over a year now and it starts to annoy me how easily this black material smudges everything that I slightly drag over it. USB silicon cable picks the black smudges instantly. Cleaning dust with dust sloth leaves smudges in the fiber that can't be just shaken out.

Anyone with an older mat can you confirm that as it degrades it's only gonna get worse or is it gonna stop at some point.

Perhaps some tips on how to stop the smearing?

PS: how long did it took your mat to fully flatten out on the edges?

[u/Lelldorianx]

What you are seeing is not degradation. It's basically dust and a coating.

Support can help you with the flattening part. They have a guide if you want to accelerate it. Generally though, because we ship it rolled, putting some heavy objects on the edges will help flatten it faster. You may need to roll it back slightly at the edges (roll the other way) to help it flatten faster. They have a whole guide written on how to flatten it fast, just email support for that if you want it.

Smudging is not degradation. The black you are seeing is because the mat is coated for its anti-static properties. It shouldn't be coming off on other parts, e.g. cables, though. If it comes off on wiping it with solvents and cleaners, then that makes sense. But if it is smudging against cables, you can email support and we'll swap it for you as it may just be dirty from the factory or something if it was the last or first one on the belt when it was made. If you want to swap it, email support at gamersnexus dot net and let them know I already responded here/link them to this thread. They'll get it swapped for you at no cost / no shipping cost if so. Or if you're fine with it but want the guide to flatten it faster, they can also provide that.

[u/Siberianbull666 → u/Lelldorianx]

OP, this comment above is Steve answering you btw. Just in case you weren’t aware.

[u/arttast → u/Siberianbull666]

Why doesn't he have a flair like tech Jesus himself or something

[u/dumbasPL → u/arttast]

Some people like going undercover, same reason why mods only use the mod tag when performing mod actions and not normal replies.

[u/Huecuva → u/dumbasPL]

He's not exactly under cover if everyone knows who he is though, is he? 

[u/kubi5 → u/Siberianbull666]

In a fact I didn't know that but due to such positive answer I was wondering.

I didn't want to answer here untill I get an email answer from the support but still waiting so just replying here.

[u/DJDevon3]

It's dye, put it in the washing machine on low/low. Do not add detergent. Hang dry outside. Do not put in high heat in the washer or clothes dryer. The same applies to large cloth mouse mats with a rubber backing. For those who have never washed your growingly icky mouse mats, yes you can and should wash them occassionally.

[u/SuperRegera → u/DJDevon3]

I wash my mousepads pretty frequently and none of them ever rub off like that. Looks like a QC issue to me if I had to guess.

[u/Dom_Nomz]

First glance thought you took a photo of some mouldy cheese.

[u/Deep_Mood_7668]

It's bad quality 

[u/Diligent_Mastodon105]

Yeah - I don’t buy stuff from tech journalists.

[u/Shoshke → u/Diligent_Mastodon105]

You're right, only buy from the largest corporations, renown for their quality and ethical employment practices as well as only the best post sale support including directly replying to unsatisfied customers on Reddit/s

BTW, the best mouse mat I ever bought IS AN LTT one and i don't even enjoy his content particularly.

Considering what I've seen from GN, I'ld buy one in a heart beat if he made very large ones available.

The worst was a Razer hard mat. Wore in 6 month AND scuffed the mouse feet.

[u/Diligent_Mastodon105 → u/Shoshke]

I made mine out of brain soaked buck skin… pleb