Maybe you’re one of those people driving down the road with their rubber or vinyl side molding flapping in the wind. Well, for less than $15, you can fix this problem once and for all before your $50 molding strip ends up in the back of the highway cleanup crew’s truck. At the auto parts store, pick up adhesive remover and molding tape (see the Buyer’s Guide). Then all you’ll need is denatured alcohol, a plastic putty knife and clean rags.
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Step 1. Saturate a cotton rag with adhesive remover and clean the old adhesive off the door. Do this in a well-ventilated area, preferably outside on the driveway. Scrape the old adhesive with a plastic putty knife and continue applying remover and wiping until the old adhesive is gone. Then further clean the surface with denatured alcohol to remove residue. Don’t use abrasives. What you want is a smooth, blemish-free surface for the mounting tape.
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Step 2. Thoroughly clean the back side of the molding by saturating it with adhesive
remover and rubbing and scraping the old adhesive away. This can be a stubborn
job, but take your time and stick with it. When the surface is free of
adhesive, wipe it with a clean cloth dampened with denatured
alcohol.
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Step 3. Apply the double-stick molding tape to the areas that will contact the molding. Press
the tape firmly along the length. For wide trim, use two strips as shown.
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Step 4. Peel the protective film off the tape to expose the sticky surface. Be careful not to touch it with your fingers or let any debris get on the tape.
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Step 5. Carefully position the molding, starting at one end, and then slowly push it onto the tape. The tape grabs firmly, so take your time. Once the molding is in place, push it firmly with a rag. Use a back-and-forth motion across the molding to bond the entire length.
Buyer’s Guide
You can find the adhesive remover and molding tape at most auto parts stores. You can also find them on-line at www.midwayautosupply.com. Or call (866) 643-9291.
Adhesive remover, No. MMM-03607. $7.21.
Adhesive molding tape, No. MMM-03609. $4.
Contact cement, No. PTX-25905. $3.
