reattaching exterior moldings

[RMB]

HI Streamers,

A word of help?

I have a 2010 AS and lo, yesterday I found the decorative trim strip on the lower part of the trailer body ( between the aluminum and the plastic base moldings) just let go from the back wheel to the middle of the back bumper.

It appears to me that it was simply glued on and not very well at that.

My question: What is the best way and best product to use to re-glue the said molding back on?

I am thinking of wiping it all down with alcohol then using ordinary contact cement but that seems too simple!

Thanks in advance!

M

[SteveH]

I've replaced a lot of that molding on my trailer, and it is held in place with 3M double sided tape, an automotive product used for attaching moldings to cars. However, once it lets go (usually due to oil or silicone on the surface), it really won't stick on again.

Contact cement might work if you can get the surfaces clean before applying it. You can also buy the tape at an auto parts store, but that would mean removing all of that piece of molding, and then cleaning off all of the old tape...not an easy task.

Then the last resort, you can buy new molding with the tape already attached, but it is not inexpensive....sold by the foot and IIRC around $3/ft.

[Farmer Dan]

I think that some good double stick tape from a body shop would reattach your molding. You probably need to remove the entire molding piece. Then clean the adhesive from both surfaces with mineral spirits, acetone or whatever the shop recommends. When reinstalling, use masking tape along the edge as a guide to help with realignment.

Dan