How to re-attach trim on door? *picture*

[GooeyGus]

So about a year ago the trim on the side of my door fell off. It's just a big 'strip' with glue on the back.

I'm guessing this is probably a fairly common problem, but how should I put it back on? I was thinking of mixing up a big batch of JB weld and slapping her back on.

Anyone have any experience with this? Looks like it might be a bit of a pain in the ass....

Here is a picture to show what I'm talking about:

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[95GreenGSX]

Just get some of the double sided 3M tape/foam and reapply it. There is also some spray adhesives out there that you can spray on and stick.

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[LKWTSI]

Just get some of the double sided 3M tape/foam and reapply it. There is also some spray adhesives out there that you can spray on and stick.

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^^^^^^ there's different thickness's so be sure to get on that's wide eough to give you face to face stick but not so thick it causes the molding to sit too far from the door skin.


I had the same thing happen to mine. The double sided 3M tape is the best. Mine hasn't fallen off yet. I tend to think the spray on and stick won't give the plastic enough flex and it'll eventually cause the molding to separate from the door again. The 3M tape allows the door to flex and not pop the molding off.

 

[GooeyGus]

Will that hold it strongly enough? I just dont want to get on the freeway and have it go flying...

 

[LKWTSI]

Will that hold it strongly enough? I just dont want to get on the freeway and have it go flying...

You might have just posted this before I hit submit, so to answer you Q, if you make sure you clean both the door and molding faces with some soapy water and make sure it's bone dry, you'll get a very good adhesion and it'll stay on.

 

[GooeyGus]

You might have just posted this before I hit submit, so to answer you Q, if you make sure you clean both the door and molding faces with some soapy water and make sure it's bone dry, you'll get a very good adhesion and it'll stay on.

Yeah I wrote the reply before you posted yours, and then when I hit submit yours was there.

So where can I find this 3M foam stuff? Hardware store? Is ther any special kind I should get?

 

[Kickerbeast]

Ya, you should be able to get this about anywhere. I know Autozone had it as I used some recently on my car. Make sure your paint is good under it. If the paint is flaking it will just peal the paint off the door again. Also, when you get it, make sure it is for trim. Some have a much weaker bond and won't stick. Mine fell off again, but that was because the moron previous owner put sheetmetal screws in it and bondo'd over it. I took the screws out and now the trim is permanently warped. This stuff was strong enough to hold it straight for quite awhile. If they hadn't rigged it, it would have gone back on just fine and I wouldn't have to worry about it for years.

 

[LKWTSI]

All the auto parts store sell it. Like I said you get different sizes and thickness's just make sure the one you get isn't too thick to make the molding sit out from the door and look ugly. I can't recall the exact thickness, but I think it was in the 4-6mm bracket. That's plenty thick enough and all you have to decide is how wide to get, and 1/2-3/4" should be plenty.

The key the tapes success is how good your surface prep' is. If you get the cleanest possible, it'll bond really good.

 

[GooeyGus]

Any tips on getting the old stuff off? As you can see in the picture, I have quite a bit of residual adhesive / foam on the door. Also, the little strip itself has quite a bit of the old bonding agent left on it as well.

I was thinking of just scubbing with isopropyl alcohol. I'm sure acetone would work a lot better, but might melt/crack the paint and the trim piece itself

 

[DSM1G90]

I was thinking of just scubbing with isopropyl alcohol. I'm sure acetone would work a lot better, but might melt/crack the paint and the trim piece itself

You're gonna have to get a sharp edge acrylic scraper (would you believe that "goody" ice scrapers are good for this..?), or, if you're careful, a single edge razor blade paint scraper to get the worst off, then some "Goo-Gone" or kerosene to get the remainder off completely down to the paint..and wear rubber gloves when doing this for the stuff can be a bit nasty on the hands..

Do the same with the trim piece itself - completely clean down to the plastic

Then, head to the auto paint store for recommended adhesive products to replace that trim.

-DSM

(p.s. - nice looking Talon you got there .. and please keep it that way...!)

 

[brownfinger]

Go to a legitimate auto-paint supplier. They will sell you a 3M tool that is designed to remove the tape without damaging the paint. It is an arbor that mounts in a drill, and it holds a stack of white rubber discs. The spinning rubber discs tear and scrub the tape off of the paint. There will be a little bit of adhesive residue left. Remove it with "silicone and adhesive remover" solvent. Auto parts stores might sell this stuff, but the paint shop will really be able to tell you how to use these things correctly. BTW, the rubber discs won't tear your paint off, but they can tear up the plastic trim. So be gentle, soak the tape with the adhesive solvent, etc...

Also, make sure you have all of the clips for the trim piece in question. If not, try mitsubishi, junk yards, dsmgraveyard....

 

[boostedtwo]

make sure and buy the strongest "molding" tape you can get, 3m makes a pretty good one.

 

[GooeyGus]

(p.s. - nice looking Talon you got there .. and please keep it that way...!)

Thanks! It's going in for paint soon. That is the car's 'good side'. The rest of the car is covered in Mitsubishi paint cancer (peeling of the clear coat).

 

[Jeff99GS]

The Best way to remove old Sticky tape with out scratching you paint is to use a Heat Gun to soften it. Then use your thumb to roll off the tape by rubbing it.

If you dont have a heat gun then use a hair dryer to soften the tape.

 

[GooeyGus]

The Best way to remove old Sticky tape with out scratching you paint is to use a Heat Gun to soften it. Then use your thumb to roll off the tape by rubbing it.

If you dont have a heat gun then use a hair dryer to soften the tape.

Awesome. I have a ton of heat guns... this sounds like the best way to do it, then clean off the adhesive residue with goo gone/isopropyl alcohol.

 

[Eclipsethis90]

WD-40 can also be used to remove adhesive residue, of course, after you get all the foam off first.

 

[falcon8r]

Well there is another 3m product to get off the residue easily. It is an "adhesive and wax remover" and is called that. It is similar to brake clean as MAF cleaner is and in a blue and silver can. This stuff will do the prep needed to the paint surface for the mounting tape. I have mounted stick on spoilers on other makes of cars with perfect success cleaning with this. The eraser wheels work good too but you will still need to clean/prep for the tape. I would use a popsicle stick/fingernail and the spray. Let the stuff soak into the old foam and it's off. Tres.....