Applique re-install

[MythX]

Hi everyone and happy new year,
My applique fell off in the carwash the other day. Fortunately it's still in one piece, and not a scratch on it. I don't think it's the original applique as there's a bunch of epoxy and double sided tape stuck to the back of my truck. I'm figuring I'll scrape off the old epoxy and then reinstall with something a little more flexible. Any suggestions on what I should use?
My main concern is the metal plate for the latch, it's obviously been getting wet and has a nice coat of rust on it. Nothing is moving, it still feels secure. I was thinking of using a wire brush to clean it up, painting it and then coating it with some silicone or something to prevent water from contacting it.
Does all this sound like it would work? I don't want it falling off again.

Thanks in advance.

 

[ROBinGa]

Mine did exactly same thing in a car wash tunnel. I scraped and chiseled- yes I used a sharp half inch chisel to get every bit of that old hardened adhesive off both the appliqué and the plastic on the body of Explorer. I didn’t hammer the chisel but slid it along the surfaces to get all the old glues off. Get it all off then clean all surfaces with degreaser very well. Get some 3M double side tape made for attaching body/molding panels at your auto parts store. Dry fit the appliqué to see where it contacts the plastic on the rear door. Cut the double sided tape to be on those contact points and place it on the door side. Press your appliqué on and enjoy the repair. They suggested a thin bead of clear silicone along the top which I did, make sure the two “holes” along bottom edge aren’t blocked so any water can drain out if it gets behind it. Mine has been on for well over a year and solid as a rock. The 3M stuff is a bit expensive but it is meant for just this purpose.

I agree with cleaning the metal surfaces and then some paint. Good preventive for future rusting

 

[MythX]

Thanks Rob, I hadn't thought about how I was going to reattach it, I just knew I didn't want to use something as rigid as what was on there. I spent a few minutes with a plastic putty knife, that was clearly going to take forever. I'll try the chisel.

Is this the tape that would work for that?
https://www.amazon.com/3M-38583-Ext...eywords=3m+double+sided+tape+automotive&psc=1

Thanks for the advice.

 

[ROBinGa]

Similar but I think I used the 1/2” wide size they show further down on Amazon page . This is definitely cheaper than at your retail auto parts store, wish I would have ordered online

 

[MythX]

Thanks Rob. I think I'll order it. I'll report back once I've completed it and close out the thread appropriately.

 

[Donystoy]

I experimented with the double sided tape but could not find one that was thick enough to fit into the groove and make full contact with the back of the applique. I ended up just scuffing all the mating surfaces and using regular silicone. I did address the corrosion issue on the metal plate with paint and oil. I also made sure there was still small voids in the silicone at the bottom to allow for water drainage although the top and sides are fully sealed inside. I did use masking tape and spring clamps on the install as it takes some time for the silicone to harden. Silicone also gives easily for expansion and contraction so my new applique will not crack like the original.