Anyone attach side molding with silicone glue? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

**IT Cowboy** · 02-16-2025, 09:35 PM

I was not happy with how the sticky pads on the plastic clips made the trim stick out and left gaps so I tried silicone glue on the plastic tabs on a couple of pieces and stuck it on and used tape and wedges to hold it on until it dried. It is really tight to the body and seems solid but I am wondering if it will hold up to flex and vibrations.

The only other way I see to get it tight to the body especially with with the upper trim is to use the push in clips and drill holes for them.

xs-cash · Yesterday, 12:19 AM

I actually did the same thing on my 71, just a small dab, but it’s not a show truck by any means , I found the plastic tabs didn’t keep the trim tight to the body

jhe.1973 · Yesterday, 02:09 AM

It wasn't on any of these trucks but on a Dodge Caravan.

One of the moldings blew off and the only one I found in a junkyard (OEM was priced outrageously) had a non-OEM double sided tape. It was a bear to get off.

To install it I used double sided Gorilla tape and its been on just fine for years.

**Richard** · Yesterday, 02:49 AM

The double stick tape that comes on the aftermarket clips is to thick. Get some thinner tape from 3M, remove and replace it. 3M has some very thin tape designed for emblems and such. Use all the time at the body shop.
Very simple solution. When installing my molding I will not be using the stick on clips as received.

**58 Special** · Yesterday, 03:19 AM

Silicon is not good to attach anything to the body of an automobile as it attracts moisture. Causing rust to form around silicon.
Ask any body man if they use silicon. None of them will.

**Steeveedee** · Yesterday, 11:44 AM

^ Plus, it's a real bear to make sure it's all gone when it's time to repaint. Talk about fisheye! Maybe products have been developed to avoid it, I haven't painted a vehicle in 12 or so years.

**chewychevy67** · Yesterday, 01:28 PM

I bought a car 10 years ago and the windshield was cracked. I brought it in for a new one and they removed it and basically after that the car was shot. Previous owner used silicone to put the windshield in and the pillars were rotten and unstructured. Would need complete replacement. It went to the crusher. Don't use silicone

truckster · Yesterday, 05:22 PM

When I was doing auto glass, I hated dealing with the silicone people would sometimes use to try to stop leaks. It does attract water and it's eventually going to vibrate loose, leaving a surface that's hard to get anything to stick to.

**IT Cowboy** · Yesterday, 05:50 PM

Is there a glue that would work then but still be flexible

truckster · Yesterday, 11:08 PM

3M Black Weatherstrip Adhesive works well.

**Jason Banks** · Today, 11:16 AM

Don't do it, properly clean and use the thinner VHB tape or like you said the clips and drill the holes.

With that said. This would work - https://www.amazon.com/U-Pol-Product.../dp/B002SQY852

**dagnabbitt** · Today, 12:27 PM

If you've ever had to remove silicone, you'd find excuses and not reasons to use it.

I was pleasantly surprised by 3m tape. I didn't think it would hold up but it definitely has.

02-16-2025, 09:35 PM	#1
IT Cowboy Active Member Join Date: Jan 2025 Location: Clarkdale, Arizona in a van down by the river Posts: 188	Anyone attach side molding with silicone glue? I was not happy with how the sticky pads on the plastic clips made the trim stick out and left gaps so I tried silicone glue on the plastic tabs on a couple of pieces and stuck it on and used tape and wedges to hold it on until it dried. It is really tight to the body and seems solid but I am wondering if it will hold up to flex and vibrations. The only other way I see to get it tight to the body especially with with the upper trim is to use the push in clips and drill holes for them. __________________ '72 C10 / 402 ___________________________________________ Freedom isn't safe, it requires you to take responsibility for your own life, your own safety, and your own success. It carries with it the possibility of failure and the understanding that you're working without out a safety net. If you give the state the responsibility for any of these you also give up the freedom that accompanies the responsibility.

Yesterday, 12:19 AM	#2
xs-cash Registered User Join Date: Aug 2017 Location: Edmonton Alberta Canada Posts: 104	Re: Anyone attach side molding with silicone glue? I actually did the same thing on my 71, just a small dab, but it’s not a show truck by any means , I found the plastic tabs didn’t keep the trim tight to the body

Yesterday, 02:09 AM	#3
jhe.1973 Registered User Join Date: Jul 2024 Location: N.E. Arizona Posts: 78	Re: Anyone attach side molding with silicone glue? It wasn't on any of these trucks but on a Dodge Caravan. One of the moldings blew off and the only one I found in a junkyard (OEM was priced outrageously) had a non-OEM double sided tape. It was a bear to get off. To install it I used double sided Gorilla tape and its been on just fine for years. __________________ Best wishes to ya’ll. Sincerely, Jim "To invent you need a good imagination and a pile of junk" - Thomas Edison "I've always wanted to get a job as a procrastinator - but, I keep putting off looking for one - I guess I'll never realize my life's dream - so sad." - Me My C30 wrecker build/repair/update thread: https://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/...d.php?t=855904

Yesterday, 02:49 AM	#4
Richard Senior Member Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: Southern California Posts: 2,931	Re: Anyone attach side molding with silicone glue? The double stick tape that comes on the aftermarket clips is to thick. Get some thinner tape from 3M, remove and replace it. 3M has some very thin tape designed for emblems and such. Use all the time at the body shop. Very simple solution. When installing my molding I will not be using the stick on clips as received. __________________ Richard 1972 K10 Custom Deluxe SWB Fleetside My build https://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/...d.php?t=800746

Yesterday, 03:19 AM	#5
58 Special Active Member Join Date: Apr 2023 Location: Edmonton,Alberta, Canada Posts: 112	Re: Anyone attach side molding with silicone glue? Silicon is not good to attach anything to the body of an automobile as it attracts moisture. Causing rust to form around silicon. Ask any body man if they use silicon. None of them will.

Yesterday, 11:44 AM	#6
Steeveedee Who Changed This? Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: Simi Valley, CA Posts: 10,860	Re: Anyone attach side molding with silicone glue? ^ Plus, it's a real bear to make sure it's all gone when it's time to repaint. Talk about fisheye! Maybe products have been developed to avoid it, I haven't painted a vehicle in 12 or so years. __________________ ~Steven '70 Chevy 3/4T Longhorn CST 402/400/3.56 Custom Camper Simi Valley, CA

Yesterday, 01:28 PM	#7
chewychevy67 Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Here Posts: 5,584	Re: Anyone attach side molding with silicone glue? I bought a car 10 years ago and the windshield was cracked. I brought it in for a new one and they removed it and basically after that the car was shot. Previous owner used silicone to put the windshield in and the pillars were rotten and unstructured. Would need complete replacement. It went to the crusher. Don't use silicone

Yesterday, 05:22 PM	#8
truckster Registered User Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Orem, Utah Posts: 8,008	Re: Anyone attach side molding with silicone glue? When I was doing auto glass, I hated dealing with the silicone people would sometimes use to try to stop leaks. It does attract water and it's eventually going to vibrate loose, leaving a surface that's hard to get anything to stick to. __________________ I have sworn upon the altar of God, eternal hostility against every form of tyranny over the mind of man. - Thomas Jefferson

Yesterday, 05:50 PM	#9
IT Cowboy Active Member Join Date: Jan 2025 Location: Clarkdale, Arizona in a van down by the river Posts: 188	Re: Anyone attach side molding with silicone glue? Is there a glue that would work then but still be flexible __________________ '72 C10 / 402 ___________________________________________ Freedom isn't safe, it requires you to take responsibility for your own life, your own safety, and your own success. It carries with it the possibility of failure and the understanding that you're working without out a safety net. If you give the state the responsibility for any of these you also give up the freedom that accompanies the responsibility.

Yesterday, 11:08 PM	#10
truckster Registered User Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Orem, Utah Posts: 8,008	Re: Anyone attach side molding with silicone glue? 3M Black Weatherstrip Adhesive works well. __________________ I have sworn upon the altar of God, eternal hostility against every form of tyranny over the mind of man. - Thomas Jefferson

Today, 11:16 AM	#11
Jason Banks Senior Member Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: TX Posts: 1,645	Re: Anyone attach side molding with silicone glue? Don't do it, properly clean and use the thinner VHB tape or like you said the clips and drill the holes. With that said. This would work - https://www.amazon.com/U-Pol-Product.../dp/B002SQY852

Today, 12:27 PM	#12
dagnabbitt Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2014 Location: Edmonton Alberta Posts: 1,500	Re: Anyone attach side molding with silicone glue? If you've ever had to remove silicone, you'd find excuses and not reasons to use it. I was pleasantly surprised by 3m tape. I didn't think it would hold up but it definitely has. __________________ DAVE Edmonton, Alberta 1959 Apache 1967 K20 1968 C20 1970 C10 1972 GMC 2500 1981 C10



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