New trim fell off

[Skunksmash]

How would you go about fixing this? Apparently 3M's adhesive for this trim ain't so great. I don't get a lot of time to work on the truck, and for the most part it sits in the garage. I am fixing it up a good bit before I start driving it on a fairly regular basis. So I hadn't gone in there in about 3 weeks. But then I finally go in, to find that the last bit of work I had done, has come undone. You can see the trim just laying there on the ground next to the truck where it fell off. Rather irritating.

So what should I use to fix the trim to the truck more permanently? Contact cement? And what is the best method of keeping it pressed up against the truck while it dries? Plus the old adhesive creates a lump in between the surface of the trim and the surface of the truck.

[Gotenntitans]

I'll bet you could contact a local body shop and they could tell you what they use. That's what I would try to do. GTT

[Eyegore]

I had to use double sided tape to get mine to stay. Also run masking tape diagonally across about every six inches.

[Skunksmash]

Originally Posted by Eyegore

I had to use double sided tape to get mine to stay. Also run masking tape diagonally across about every six inches.

Could you please post a link to the double sided tape that you used? There are so many kinds I want to make sure I get the one that works.

[walkerb]

Hahaha cant help but I wish mine would all fall off!

[bnoon]

I've only ever used 3M, it's very high quality. Biggest thing is to remove absolutely ALL dirt and wax with an adhesion promoter. If you don't use that, the best adhesive in the world won't work.

[Eyegore]

Originally Posted by bnoon

I've only ever used 3M, it's very high quality. Biggest thing is to remove absolutely ALL dirt and wax with an adhesion promoter. If you don't use that, the best adhesive in the world won't work.

What he said!!!!!

[piecesparts]

This answer is going to complicate your life a little. Go down to the local auto parts store and purchase a roll of 3M double sided adhesive. It is not cheap, but you should get the right width for what you want to use it for. NOW, remove all of the old adhesive from the trim and the truck, clean the trim and the truck with an alcohol based product. Rubbing alcohol works great. Let that dry, then put the adhesive onto the trim. Finally put the trim on the truck where it belongs. 3M has been dong this for years and if you go to a body shop, they will whip out their 3M adhesive and do the job, while charging you for the labor. I keep this stuff in my shop all of the time and the only time it gives problems, is when the surfaces are not cleaned well.

[Jake Wade]

I have never had that problem with 3M. Poor surface prep would be my guess but, I suppose it is possible you got a bad batch.

[Eyegore]

I looks as if he used the sticky on the back of the trim. I just went to home depot for the double sided tape I used 1/2 inch on both top and bottom of the trim it stayed on even in 115 degree tempatures.

[Keith Seymore]

Originally Posted by bnoon

I've only ever used 3M, it's very high quality. Biggest thing is to remove absolutely ALL dirt and wax with an adhesion promoter. If you don't use that, the best adhesive in the world won't work.

x3.

Plus, after sticking it on I used a roller from Momma's kitchen to apply quite a bit of force to wet out the adhesive.

Been five years and they have all stayed on through all types of weather.

K

[Skunksmash]

I guess it must have been poor surface prep. All I did was wash it with water thoroughly, and then dry it. Then let it dry on its own for several hours.

Should have used alcohol or acetone or something. But I was questioning the adhesive of that 3M tape that comes on there. Because I got the trim from the parts store and the package looked like it had been there for years. All faded out and scuffed up and looking like it had been moved around a lot. Perhaps the 3M tape has a shelf life of some kind?

Either way now I have to fix the mistake now.

[xole]

Use the 3M with the red backing and stick to alcohol. Don't use acetone, you will be sorry.

[bnoon]

Originally Posted by Skunksmash

I guess it must have been poor surface prep. All I did was wash it with water thoroughly, and then dry it. Then let it dry on its own for several hours.

Should have used alcohol or acetone or something. But I was questioning the adhesive of that 3M tape that comes on there. Because I got the trim from the parts store and the package looked like it had been there for years. All faded out and scuffed up and looking like it had been moved around a lot. Perhaps the 3M tape has a shelf life of some kind?

Either way now I have to fix the mistake now.

Yes, adhesive does have a shelf life, and it's seriously shortened by heat and UV rays. Pull off the old stuff, put some new on, and surface prep and all will be well.

[Keith Seymore]

Originally Posted by Skunksmash

I guess it must have been poor surface prep. All I did was wash it with water thoroughly, and then dry it. Then let it dry on its own for several hours.

Should have used alcohol or acetone or something. But I was questioning the adhesive of that 3M tape that comes on there. Because I got the trim from the parts store and the package looked like it had been there for years. All faded out and scuffed up and looking like it had been moved around a lot. Perhaps the 3M tape has a shelf life of some kind?

Either way now I have to fix the mistake now.

Don't feel bad. I-69 and I-75 used to be littered with pieces of molding all along the shoulder of the road (and stuck on the guardrails) back when we were still building these trucks.

K

[Eyegore]

I forgot to mention that when mine fell off I sent a letter to the company and they sent more trim back free of charge.

[macpro1965]

I usually let the tree limbs rip my trim off....lol.