I had a plastic/rubber piece fly off on the way home from the lake a while back and I'm going to put the replacement on. It's very similar material to a rubber floor mat for a car, maybe a little stiffer. The spot where the old one was is painted and there's a little residue left but I got it pretty cleaned off. Should I do anything to try to clean it up better or should it be good cleaned and dried well? Should I do any prep before I attach and what adhesive should I use? I have some spray adhesive that is really strong (3m I believe?), that I was planning on using but I want something that is going to last and not harm the boat finish or eat the plastic. It's the black, textured looking part on the back deck of my boat right next to the motor. I can get closer pictures if needed.

I would use an outdoor carpet adhesive.

 

Ken

clayton, that 3m spray adhesive is good stuff, but i've found it doesn't hold up to prolonged exposure to water.  i used it to adhere some tool box matting to the top of a plano to keep my terminal tackle from jumping over the dividers.  it held up for quite a while, but now the matting is starting to come off and that 3m adhesive stuff has left a discolored tacky mess behind.  I'd be cautious of using it on that nice shiny boat of yours!

If you don't want it to pop off again, 3m 5200.