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I am hoping someone here has installed running board mats on 39 / 40 Super 8 that could offer advice on this operation.

My concern is aligning the rows of little holes for the trim strip retainers to the recessed rows of slots in the rubber that the trim strips set in.

The other question is what is recommended to bond the mats to the running boards? I assume contact cement, but would like to be sure.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Jim

My advice on the adhesive would be to contact Steele Rubber and get their recommendation.

O_D,

I suppose if no one has any advice on installation method or adhesive, I will have to contact Steele Rubber direct. I am sure they will have advice on the adhesive, but I am afraid probably very little advice on the actual installation. This looks a little tricky to align just right. This is a sizable investment, and I want to get it right, as once glued I will probably not get a second chance.

Thanks,
Jim

I don't pretend to know the shape or restrictions of what you're working with but on the alignment, would it be possible to glue half the mat at a time? Perhaps you could put some kind of pins into several of the holes to align and hold that half in position while the other part is glued then remove the pins and glue the second half.

Jim - We can discuss this when you are buying the beer, but short commentary involves a very hot day (shouldn't be a problem in PHX), some really good glue, a really big pile of clamps, some pre-measured and tested boards, alignment pins, and sandbags. And definitely a "dress rehearsal".

One thing to add to everything previously suggested, use a slow drying adhesive (one with a long working time). Then you can move it around, make adjustments, work out the air bubbles, and clamp before the adhesive "kicks".

Thanks for the advice everyone. Sounds like there is consensus on the alignment pins. I will have to cut about 100 of them. Kev's idea about a manageable adhesive seems sensible.

David, sounds like you have done a round or two of pin the running board rubber on the Packard. We will have to talk about this.

Thanks guys,
Jim

I've never done this kind of running board job, BUT in the old days, formica installers would lay thin strips of bare wood between the formica and the countertop to keep the two contact cement-coated surfaces from touching.

Once the laminate was properly positioned, the wooden strips/sticks would be sequentially be pulled-out, thus lowering the formica onto the countertop, where it would be pressed tight.

Trying to "drop" an entire length of running board rubber into place without this technique sounds like an invite for a major headache! Bill.

G'day Bill(needy36),
See you're a fairly recent member of Packardinfo. Know it's but could you please include your '36 1401 convertible coupe in the Owner's Registry together with a pic, any known history and how you acquired it?

Mal - I've got an idea here, maybe you can discuss it with BigKev...instead of watchdogging for new members and inviting them to register their cars wherever you catch them, maybe BigKev can incorporate an invitation when they first register. That would save you a lot of time, as well as the certainty of invitation.