I noticed that my reproduction rubber running board mats are coming loose from their steel backing plates (the backing plates were painted). They were attached about 25 years with contact cement which seemed to work fine. Now one can peel the mat away from the backing plate very easily.

What is the best adhesive to use that seems to work well?

Thanks in advance.

The running board mats on my 1930 were glued on about 23 years ago and they are still glued tight today. The key is to have the running board surface absolutely clean and in bare metal. Then apply the running board mats when they are warm (after laying out in the sun for example) and use a high quality commercial grade vinyl top adhesive.

Thanks Junkyard Dog for the commercial grade vinyl top adhesive and application advice.

If I can remember correctly, the steel backup plates that the running board mats are attached to were quite rusty so I cleaned them and then primed / painted to hopefully stop any further rusting before using the contact cement. I will redo per your advice.

Junkyard Dog,
Would the adhesive happen to be a Fusion product?

Not that I am aware of. The adhesive comes in a big bucket as I remember and it is black. I got some from a local upholstery shop that installed vinyl tops and it is a commercial contact adhesive made especially for vinyl top applications.