VCCA Home Forums TECHNICAL - GENERAL Body - Sheet Metal, Paint & Wood 1938 chevy running board mat install question

I am wanting to install steel backed rubber mats on my running boards. I am going to have to glue them down. My question is what is the best glue/cement to use and should I sand the paint down on my running boards before I put the glue down?

Thanks!

I am going to have to put new rubber on my running boards on my 1929 also. The places I have looked do not have that vintage in stock at present. I have given thought as to what I would get to put down and how I would so that.
I am going to get a good contact cement. 3M Probably. If you put this stuff down properly it will stay put. It can be a pain as if you don't get in just the place you wish it to be, repositioning can be very difficult. Need to work out the air bubbles from the center. Personally I would not paint the metal as if the paint does not stick the contact cement will pull loose. The metal needs to be very clean, free from rust or as free as you can get it. I will be using 80 grit sand paper to ruff the metal up.
Others that have done this may have a better suggestion. I will be following to see what other responses you get.
Hey!! Have a great day
Craig

First I would check with the supplier of the mats if they were recently purchased. Normally instructions are included and always seem to end with " failure to follow manufacturers instructions will void the warranty". You can also do a search on this site as possibly the subject has been discussed before. I think the suggestion to install on bare metal is an excellent one.

They are coming from chevs of the 40's. I have not bought them yet I plan to order them next week or so. I spoke to them today about them. My boards are already painted and have been for years. I will need to sand the paint off I guess so the glue sticks good it will be a metal to metal bond as the mats I am getting have a metal back on them.

Don't those covers use some bolts to hold them down?

They say flat twist tabs is what is on them. I found plain rubber mats without the steel backing and may go that route not sure yet.

The metal backs have twist tabs, which work fine with original running boards. You may want to spot glue here and there for a little assurance. Now if your running boards are fiber glass and you are just installing the rubber mats then you need to do a full glue job.
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