Hello,
I've searched the forums but I have failed to locate any threads which address my specific question
[perhaps I am using slightly different terminology however].

Question: What is the correct product to use, to reattach, a thin strip of black t shaped rubber looking sealant 'tape' which sits on top of body trim?
I am trying to decide between using a clear silicone adhesive sealant and super glue [but perhaps there are other options too].
SEE PHOTO - of the thin black t shaped strip of rubber on top of the actual body trim....bottom left the strip is lifting up slightly but there are other places where is much worst and 1-2 inches away from where it should be. The strip of rubber also disappears under the body trim in the middle of the photo if you look closely.

Background: So it's clear what I am referring to, 2015 Accord Coupe, which also has an OEM HPT trim package or body molding kit on the front, rear and sides.
The plastic side trim is pulling away from the body. On top of the plastic trim panel itself is a thin black t shaped strip of rubber which acts to bridge and seal the plastic trim to the body.
Likely due to pressure washing the car, this thin black t shaped strip of rubber is detaching in a few places and it looks unpleasant, plus breaks the seal to allow water to run down under the body trim.

I would expect this is be a common problem.
The dealership's only solution to is replace the entire body kit at $1,500 which is completely crazy, not to mention a waste to clutter up our landfills. I liked the sporty look when I purchased the car but I doubt I would ever agree to even an OEM trim package again to be honest - too much hassle when the car becomes a few years old...

Does anyone have intermediate to expert level knowledge on which product to use, and/or specific quality brands?
Any of the ones below recommended for the task?

Amazing GOOP Automotive Adhesive, Clear - seems like a good option but I am concerned the applicator is to big/ bulky and it will dry too slow. Additionally, this would be a messy job with lots of extra adhesive to wipe off. Plus, there's no easy way to clamp the pieces together for the suggested 30-60 mins.

Silicone Adhesive - same possible issues as above?

Super Glue - ? I sense this may work best because the tube and applicator are small like the black strip + it will dry much faster than auto adhesives. It might create less glue to wipe off but if the glue drys too fast it could look bad. The other drawback is it may ruin the paint if it later detaches again from the trim or the car.

Yes, I could just buy a few products and experiment for little cash.
However, I prefer to research the best options and try and get things right the first time.

Thank-you.

 

I'm not an expert in auto adhesives, but if you go to the auto parts store, there is generally an adhesive section with a pretty good selection of different types which usually have descriptions to let you know what it is used for.

I'm replying just to say, please don't use super glue on this. Super glue is not flexible whereas the rubber is. It will likely crack and possibly damage the rubber or paint.

I would look for a molding or trim adhesive. 3M products are often used in OEM applications. If you google search 3M automotive adhesives, you will likely find a page showing their offerings, too. That's how I found which sealant to use on body panel seams.

Good luck!

 

Thanks for the warning about the superglue.
It seemed like a good option because of the quick drying time I needed.

I have looked at products at various auto parts stores but I don't recall seeing products which were specifically designed for trim or moldings [only more general automotive uses].
What I might try, is placing a call into 3M, the 1-800 number [I have done this before when trying to pin point the best product to use to fill in some deeper scratches, on the same trim as in the photo].

Maybe they can confirm the correct product to use, and hopefully I can locate it at my local store, or order it.

 

Check these out:

3M 03601 Plastic Emblem and Trim Adhesive (supposedly fast drying clear glue in a tube)
3M 08008 Black Super Weatherstrip Adhesive (Black flexible adhesive in a tube)
3M Super Strength Molding Tape (Like it says, a tape product)

https://www.3m.com/3M/en_US/company-...94857497&rt=r3
https://www.3m.com/3M/en_US/company-...94857497&rt=r3

 

Thanks again.
I looked at the product below as well and thought it might be a good choice as well.
3M 03601 Plastic Emblem and Trim Adhesive (supposedly fast drying clear glue in a tube)

According to 3M, when I called, they don't have a specific product that works well for plastic trim, a rubber strip, then a car body on the other side. ie. three different types of material with a rubber like strip in the middle.
I found this a little hard to believe however, plus the product details seem to suggest it would be ideal for all 3 materials.

They told me that this [Cyan acrylic adhesive] product is the closest but also warned me about the possible damage to the body paint:

3M™ Automix® Quick Fix Adhesive Kit, 08224, 0.7 oz. adhesive/2.0 oz. accelerator

3M ID 7000142622
https://www.3m.com/3M/en_US/company-...8716717&rt=rud
This product seems like a superglue or similar product with the 1 minute drying time?

What I might try is just adhering the plastic trim to the a rubber strip and staying away from the body paint on the other side for now.
Still, there has to be a body shop that has a lot of experience with such a task.
This has to be a common issue with side trim/ body molding.

 

3m makes a several tapes that won't damage your paint. I am surprised they gave you that info. I don't have any part numbers but I am holding some used right now that bonded well I didn't even know it was there. I can tear a little piece and ball it into a rubber cement like ball, if that makes any sense. No residue was left after discovering it. I don't know how to post pictures on ht. The integra tapes I have for the interior are precut and have 3m scotch automotive on the backings .

 

Paul, that is basically a superglue. I know some superglues have different viscosities for different purposes, but I see that as just the title says, a "quick fix"--like an emergency repair. I really doubt that is the correct product, but maybe they don't want to share pro tips with DIYers. :/

I think when bonding rubber to plastic, the properties that flex like the rubber are more important than properties that make it rigid like a plastic, but essential that it can bond to both.

Then again, my opinion isn't based on actual usage of these products for automotive uses.

 

Thanks again for the input and product tips.

The rubberized strip I am trying to work with seems just too small to use a tape unfortunately.
A good suggestion but I really can't see how I could even hold the rubberized strip with my fingers and apply the tape [which would be much wider, and need to go on two sides of the rubberized strip]. I would have to cut the most narrow tape size, in half, and hold it with tweezers or something... Maybe it can be done but it would be very difficult to work with.

I agree, I would prefer to have a product that flexes, it makes the most sense.
However, we seem to be back to product options with 30-90 min drying/ hardening times and large applicators which makes it difficult in other ways.

Perhaps there just isn't an ideal product out there! A future product development project for the chemistry experts.
I am going to try stopping by a specialty body shop, as a last resort, I am convinced someone has done this before and achieved good results.

3M asked me how the rubberized strip was originally attached. A good question but I didn't know the answer.
I can see what looks to be a glue like residue on the rubberized strip.

 

Years ago, when I had some bodywork and paint done on a 91 Integra GS I used to have, the body guy, who was from NY City, told me the best adhesive to use is silicone. I questioned his logic, so he explained: In various parts of NY and other metro areas (at least back in the 80s/90s, thieves would/will strip your car down to the frame if they get the opportunity, including moldings, badges, etc. He said they used silicone adhesive for all of that, because it stuck so well, if someone tried to steal a piece off of your car (like a side molding), they will end up destroying it trying to get it off of the car, which ultimately acts a deterrent as well. You can get silicone adhesive at a hardware store like Lowes or Home Depot in a toothpaste size tube with a tapered applicator tip so you can cut it where you want to control the size of the bead you apply. Use some 2” blue painters tape directly above and below where you’re placing the strip, so if any excess squeezes out, it sticks to the tape and won’t bond to your paint, and then use a few strips of the same tape to help hold it in place while it cures. Highly recommended.

 

Thanks.
I can understand how the silicone adhesive may work, especially if there's an opportunity to cut the tapered applicator tip to a small diameter, and use tape as well.

I did stop at what looked to be a successful body shop.
They were nice enough to tell me how they do it.

According to them, they would take off the entire trim/ body molding [that I don't want to do because it's such a small length to repair], and use 3M double sided tape.
They lay down the trim so it's basically flat and easier to work with.
This was recommended above by someone but I had my doubts.

Apparently, they have very thin 3M double sided tape and use an adhesion promoter.
The tape is cut into small workable lengths and the guy told me he would just fix one small length at a time, if I didn't want to take off the entire trim piece,
and work my way down the rubberized strip to re-attach it.

The other key piece of advice was the rubberized strip only attaches to the trim or body molding [it is not to be glued or attached on the side touching the paint body].
This is according to this body shop's method and knowledge, and they seemed to do it all the time.

I am going to try and find 3M double sided tape in a 1/8 inch width. At my local store, the smallest width is 1/4, which is more than double the width I need.
Online searches have not produced any 1/8 inch tape options thus far.

 

Are they recommending regular 3M double sided tape? It is pretty tough--I've used it on craft projects...but I don't know if it holds up to weather extremes. At least look for the tape designed for exterior applications: 3M™ Exterior Attachment Tape, 38582

Autozone carries it in store.

I'm not sure if 3M makes it in 1/8" width--but you could possibly take the 1/4" roll and carefully use a knife along the center BEFORE you peel the tape off the roll, or peel the papers off the tape if the adhesive is protected on both sides. Then when you apply, just peel the outer layer of tape slowly back so as not to stretch either the tape or the trim.