The rubber (?) knee pads on my tank won't stay adhered to the tank because of the contour of the tank. The tape sticks to the tank just fine but the rubber (?) pulls away from the tape as it wants to straighten out.
I thoroughly cleaned the rubber with acetone before applying the tape, and even scuffed up the rubber a bit.
I was thinking that if I put the tape on the pads and clamped them together for a while until the adhesive cures it might work. There is also n "adhesive actuator" solution that the body shops use that I can't find in any auto supply stores.
Your suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

How about warming he rubber pads up a bit before you mount them too, might help them from wanting to spring back prematurely.  

Lots of universal pads...
http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_odkw=tank+pads&_osacat=0&_from=R40&_trksid=p2...

I made mine from rubber floor runner... ...

Scotch Super Weatherstrip Adhesive.  Sticks anything to anything permanently, takes a while to cure, and stays flexible.  Just be sure you only put it where it belongs, cuz getting it off is a bee-atch.

Walmart and Amazon and most auto parts places have it.

I think Id go at it in stages.
First, Id get them HOT, really, really Hot so that leather glove with cotton gloves inside are required to work with them. Look at the curves they have to make & physically force them into those directions, only go past it some, so when they cool & the pressure is off, theyll be closer to the shape you want. YOull be holding them.
Remember, it is possible to ask the impossible of things. If theyre thick & if youre asking them to bend in more than 1 direction, youre asking for the perimeter to change,, so, be prepared for a hassle &/or a disappointment.
HF has a heat gun for under $15.00. I put off buying one for years. Finally, window tinting forced my hand. Now, Ive used it a bunch.. shoulda got it yearzago.,.

Remember the Ford pickups from the 80's? Those moldings down the side were all held on by 2 sided tape. Mine is an 87 & still holding.
Body shops have some fine adhesives, even better now that when I was a body man. YOu mite be ahead to just pay a visit to a body shop or 3..
What a fine reason for a ride!

Roberto1444 wrote on 05/05/13 at 06:05:20:

Not kidding... I did both the knee pads and the center stripe with Ace Hardware running floor mat... $1.99 per ft... (stole the idea from Vintage MX'rs... they use it on their Euro bikes, Maico, Jawa, CZ, etc.)...

In addition to the Weatherstrip adhesive (Gorilla Snot) that was mentioned earlier, there is contact cement that works similarly but is available as a spray or brush on.  I tried the two sided tape on a rubber pad I put on my floor jack, and it did not stick to the rubber well and the pad slid and moved under pressure.  The contact cement did fine.

One problem you may have is with the black rubber getting hot in the direct sunshine, and the glue loosening.  Heat is always a good way to soften adhesives, and the sun cany really heat up black rubber.

justin_o_guy2 wrote on 05/06/13 at 10:12:25:


Good point.  Did he (OP) use that white stuff from Lowe's.....or the brownish colored stuff from the Auto Supply?