Body Side Molding

There are lots of reasons to install body side molding on your car or truck. Some may want body side molding for protection, helping to avoid those nasty door dings we seem to get when we park at a shopping center. Others may want to install body side molding just for looks alone, seeking to upgrade the appearance of the outside of the vehicle.

In either case, once you have found the molding that you like it is important that the installation process goes smoothly, and that you get your molding installed perfectly straight. Otherwise having wavy moldings on the side of your vehicle will make your vehicle appear to be dented, or the panels appear misaligned.

So here’s what you need to do in order to install body side molding professionally. You will need some masking tape, rubbing alcohol, anvil pruning shears (garden type), a grease pencil, a ruler, and a couple of clean towels.

First, use rubbing alcohol to clean the area where we are going to place the molding. Do not skip this step. Even brand new vehicles need to be cleaned in the same way. You need to remove any waxes or oils that are on the surface. This is to ensure a proper bond between the adhesive and the vehicle. Wipe on a generous amount of rubbing alcohol with a clean towel, and use another clean towel to remove the residue left behind by the alcohol.

Next, locate a spot on the door of the vehicle (usually the highest point) and make a mark with a grease pencil. Use your masking tape to create a horizontal line in this area. Tack the masking tape at the front of the vehicle where you are installing the molding and roll off enough masking tape so you can reach the other end. Keep the masking tape taunt like you would a string or chalk line. Keeping the tape tight, tack the other end of the masking tape (at the same height as your grease pencil mark) at the back of the vehicle. You can use your ruler here to verify your measurement. Then, press down all masking tape and repeat on the other side of the vehicle.

Next, cut your body side molding to fit, and to install, remove the release liner backing from the adhesive and follow along your masking tape line to get your molding perfectly straight. Make sure you bevel your molding 45 degrees at the front of each door so not to interfere with the door jam areas.

Once cut and pressed onto the vehicle, take a clean rag in the palm of your hand and press the molding firmly onto the vehicle. Make sure you do this step twice so to ensure full contact with the vehicle.

Remove your masking tape and clean up any residue left behind.

Thats it! Once installed you will have protection from dents and dings as well as upgrading the appearance of the outside of the vehicle.

About the Author

Mike Briglia is the owner of Custom Auto Trim, an auto accessories company based out of San Diego CA. Find more information on body side molding at http://www.customautotrim.com/

Color Keyed Body Side Molding on a Toyota Camry

The best way to protect your car or truck from dents and door dings is by installing a professional grade body side molding. You can also protect other areas of the vehicle in the same way with wheel well molding and door edge guards.

Body side moldings are usually strips of rubber or vinyl that attach horizontally to the side of your vehicle. By installing them down the center of the door this rubber strip usually protects you from another door hitting yours. Usually the moulding will stick out farther than the body of the vehicle itself, so if someone swings their door into the side of your car it will hit the body side molding first. They usually come in black, chrome and there are some colors available as well.

Body side molding installs easily. Almost all car molding attaches with 3M automotive grade attachment tape, which is the same way that the car manufacturers use to attach factory body side molding. If installed properly the molding should never come loose. There are other areas of your car that should also be protected. These areas are the wheel well area and the door edge areas.

Wheel well molding attaches in the same manner with a 3M tape. These mouldings will trim the area of the wheel well with a thin vinyl bead that will protect this exposed area. You can also use this molding to cover up an existing dent in this area. Once applied over the dent or scratch you will never know the damage was there. This trick is used at the car dealers all of the time. Sometimes it used to just dress up the vehicle with a chrome or black trim.

Door edge guards protect just that – the edge of your car door. They also protect whatever you are hitting with your door. Because of the soft vinyl edge, if you were to open your car door into another car the likelihood of you damaging either car is minimal. The door edge guards will act as a shock absorber and help prevent any damage that would otherwise happened.

For most of us, buying a new car or truck is one of the largest investments that we will ever make in our lives. We take pride in what we drive. It doesn’t matter if we drive a Hyundai or a Porsche (okay maybe it does, but follow me here for a second). We like to drive in clean, shiny, dent free cars. Spending a few dollars on molding protection now will no doubt save you potentially hundreds of dollars in the future repairing and repainting your new car or truck.

TIP SHACK

This month we got the question:

I’m interested in purchasing replacement molding, however I’ve seen some after market chrome side molding turn brown. What causes this, and what can be done to prevent it?

Thanks for your question. Body Side Molding can turn yellow for a couple of different reasons:

1. Product failure.—If the Molding product is not a high quality OEM approved product (like those that AUTOMEGA® carries), the clear protective film covering the chrome mylar can break down, causing a yellowing effect.
2. Product care.—All products that are exposed to the elements such as sun, rain, ice, and road dirt/salts need to be kept clean. If not, they can burn or deteriorate just from the weather itself.

Luckily, there are a couple things you can do to prevent this problem. Just like the paint on your car, if you never wash your car you probably do not expect to keep your car looking shiny and new. However if you wash your car every week or two it will definitely look better. Then, if you wax it a few times a year it will look even better still. This is because you are protecting the paint from all of the harsh elements outside. Molding, pinstriping, graphics and paint all fall within this same category. If you keep them clean and keep a light coat of wax on them you not only will make them all look better but you will extend the life of the products tremendously.

WEB NEWS

You’ve been asking for them and now they’re here—Direct Bolt-On Lambo Door Hinges. These come pre-drilled from the manufacturer to fit your specific vehicle. This makes getting this hot look easier than ever before. Is your vehicle not one of the almost thirty different makes and hundred models available pre-drilled? No, problem! AutoLoc’s Universal Lambo Door System fits all vehicles by allowing you to drill your own holes as needed. We even have new Shaved Door Handle Kits so you get that clean smooth look to go along with your lamborghini doors.

We know you’ve had your eye on them, and right now we’ve got all Wings West Body Kits at 20% off list price. Wings West products are made with Urethane, which is lighter than other commonly used materials, and designed to fit your vehicle perfectly. That means less hassle and cost in installation, a better look, and less time in the shop. Just select your make and model and we’ll hook you up with all the info you need to personalize your car or truck with one of these hot kits.

Looking to outfit your car with an AEROGEAR Body Kit? Now’s the time and AUTOMEGA® is definitely the place. We’ve got our entire selection of AEROGEAR down to 10% off list price. You’re not going to find them any lower, so head over to and see for yourself. And if that’s not quite what you had in mind, what about taking a peek at our Xenon Body Kits. They’re reduced right now to below Jobber pricing, so why resist?

Finally, right now we’re offering free shipping on several of our products: Wood Dash Kits, Nerf Bars (those shipped via UPS or FedEx only) and our entire line of graphics. Looking for pinstriping? A rear window flag graphic? Or maybe you’d like to create a whole new look with one of our graphic packages. Now’s the time to save on any or all of these products. No minimum order required, but this offer is only available for a limited time, so visit www.customautotrim.com to take advantage of this awesome deal.

So, did you get everything you asked for for the holidays? If so, lucky you! If not, let’s see what we can do to help you out. Just like all your other favorite stores, CustomAutoTrim.com has a wide variety of product deals this month and you can read more about them below in our Blog section. And while you’re at it, be sure to take advantage of our coupon for even more savings.

Elsewhere in this issue, we’ve got chances for you to learn a few things, win prizes, and even make some extra cash. So sit back, get comfy, and settle in to spend a few moments with us on your favorite subject and mine—cars.

TIP SHACK

This month, we got the question:

Hey Mike, my wheel wells and door edges are all dented and chipped from parking lot damage and I was wondering, is it too late for me to put door edge guards and wheel well molding on my car? Would it help at all?

It’s not too late at all! In fact it’s a great time to put wheel well molding and door edge guards on. We do this sort of trick all of the time when we are working on used car lots. We are able to cover up most of these small dents and chips with the new body side moldings, which accomplishes 2 things—you will hide those ugly chips and small dents from sight (yay!) and at the same time protect yourself from any additional parking lot damage in the future. And best of all, it’s MUCH cheaper than visiting your local body shop.

There are many easy to install accessories that can customize your car or truck without any major labor, sometimes in as little as just a few minutes. You can check out all of these products at http://CustomAutoTrim.com!

WEB NEWS

It may be cold outside, but we’ve got some white hot products for you on our website this month. Like a set of new wheel covers to dress up your vehicle. Whether you’re a Silver kind of guy, or a Chrome lovin’ gal, we’ve got hub caps to fit your fancy. Don’t know what size you need? No problem. Come on by the site and we’ll show you how to figure it out.

Maybe wheels aren’t your thing, but what really melts the ice for you is Nerf Bars. Great—Stainless Steel, Chrome, or Black, we’ve got them all for you. And did you know that these can be installed quickly and easily with absolutely no drilling. That’s right, so easy anyone can do it, and right now they’re priced to move, so why wait?

WRAPPING IT UP

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me. Just call our toll free support line at 1-800-232-6922. We’re standing by to help!

Alternatively, hit the reply button and I’ll get right back to you. We welcome general questions or queries, as well as comments and suggests. Thanks for your time!

Whether your current auto-obsession is a kickin’ truck or a flashy sports car—or something in-between—we’ve got some hot deals sure to take your breath away. Because after all, the weather outside may be getting frightful, but spending some quality time out there working on your dream machine is still delightful.

Do me a favor and close your eyes for a minute. Think about your car. What do you envision it would take to edge it up just one more notch closer to perfection? Is it a saucy new spoiler? A classy upgrade to a wood-dash? Some smokin’ rear-window graphics? Go ahead, close your eyes and dream. I’ll wait.

Back, are ya? Good, because let me tell you, we can make those dreams come true. Pop on down to our Blog section and check out the killer discounts we got going on everything from your front end to your rear. And if you’re one of those rare people who closed your eyes and couldn’t imagine what you wanted for your car, then are you ever in for some fun! Because I’ll let you in on a little secret: the possibilities are endless, and helping you explore them is what we’re all about.

Elsewhere in this issue, we’ve got chances for you to learn a few things, win prizes, and even make some extra cash. So sit back, get comfy, and settle in to spend a few moments with us on your favorite subject and mine—cars.

TIP SHACK

This month, Sean asked:

Hey Mike, how can I install my moldings straight like the pros do?

Hey great question Sean! Try this trick: masking tape. Measure where it is that you want the molding to go, then make yourself a guide line with masking tape on the vehicle so you can follow that line with your molding installation. Start with your moldings soft and pliable by heating them up a bit in the sun or with a heat gun or hair dryer (especially in the winter). This will make installation a breeze, and you’ll have perfect new straight moldings in no time!

WEB NEWS

Have we ever got some news for you! We’ve just added a whole new line of products to our site that’s bound to light up your life. Let us start you off with some jammin’ clear corner lenses and keep it going with a pair of clear bumper lenses—you’re bound to be the hottest car on the block. And then we’ll make you the safest car on the block with our new projector headlamps, so you’ll be ready no matter what Mother Nature throws at you this winter.

If lights don’t spark your interest, how about some of the other great products we’re practically giving away this month, like our top of the line wood-dash kits. You can’t help but look and feel your best sporting a real wood dash with a lifetime warranty. And with as many choices as we have your only problem is going to be picking your favorite!

Now is the perfect time to see how low you can go with our deeply discounted Xenon body kits for Chevys, Hondas, Nissans and more. And I bet you’ve seen Ground Designs Black Widow® and Street Fyghter® kits around and have been dying to outfit your car in one. Well now you can for only $699. You can’t beat this price, and you can be sure these kits are the real thing—we’re an authorized Ground Designs Black Widow® and Street Fyghter® dealer.

Look like a million for 25% off with our Kaminari body kits, all available makes and models on sale this month. Or pick up your own Altezza euro tail lights. But look out—these babies are hot, and at these prices they’re flying off the shelves. And if that weren’t enough, how about sprucing up your rear with a sexy new spoiler? Or expressing yourself with our huge selection of auto graphics. These things and more are sure to make your personal stock soar, and can be found at http://www.CustomAutoTrim.com.

WRAPPING IT UP

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me. Just call our toll free support line at 1-800-232-6922. We’re standing by to help!

Alternatively, hit the reply button and I’ll get right back to you. We welcome general questions or queries, as well as comments and suggests. Thanks for your time!