After 2 months have not put body side moldings on

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Care, Maintenance and Troubleshooting' started by cycledrum, Nov 11, 2008.

  1. cycledrum

    cycledrum PSOCSOASP

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    What prompted you to go ahead with installing body side moldings? First ding or dent?

    I purchased body side moldings 2 months ago, practiced taping them in place using Rokeby's method with wooden batten (very good by the way!), but I have not installed them. Dawn Enterprise's said it's ok to wait, no limited shelf life with 3M adhesive.

    I've seen only a couple Prii with them installed in years of seeing thousands in the SF Bay Area. It seems many Prii don't show door dings either. Wonder how that is. Not putting BSM's down, just commenting.

    Yet, it seems the majority of cars have body side molding of some sort, whereas many new models don't have them.

    I've looked ahead into Ding King, Paintless Dent Repair, Stick-on door guards, how to park, etc...

    Any comments, advice appreciated.
     
    #1 cycledrum, Nov 11, 2008
  2. Rokeby

    Rokeby Member

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    cycledrum,

    FWIW, I did not install the side moldings to prevent dings -- IMO, there
    are too many door heights and shapes on all the other cars to expect
    much success in that regard.

    Rather, I put them on to break up the slab-sided look, and establish a
    second horizontal line to visually emphasize the length and de-emphasize
    the Prius' height.

    It's a "smoke and mirrors" thing.

    [Edit] Here's a pix:

    http://priuschat.com/forums/attachm...ide-moldings-installation-amapola-molding.jpg
     
    #2 Rokeby, Nov 11, 2008
  3. cycledrum

    cycledrum PSOCSOASP

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    Rokeby,

    Thank you. Any stats on dings saved vs. missed?
     
    #3 cycledrum, Nov 11, 2008
  4. Santiago

    Santiago New Member

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    There is a Prius up the street without Body Side Moldings that has a good crease in the side. Too late to undo that.
     
    #4 Santiago, Nov 11, 2008
  5. thepolarcrew

    thepolarcrew Senior Member

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    I put them on and like the look too! Have kids and have watched. It will save most.
     
    #5 thepolarcrew, Nov 11, 2008
  6. xsmatt81

    xsmatt81 non-AARP Member

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    my 07 has the door moldings. They where on the car when picked up from dealer as part of there "package" since it was a walk-in buy.

    they are more for aesthetics then protection imo. Have a few small dings already for whatever reason.
     
    #6 xsmatt81, Nov 12, 2008
  7. QuiGonJohn

    QuiGonJohn Junior Member

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    What is going on with the website? I tried to click on the link in rokeby's post above, won't load. I did a search on BODY SIDE MOLDINGS to get help, none of the pages found, except this one, will load.

    I was wondering if you knew why they recommend having the moldings higher toward the rear? It would seem to me you'd want it level with the ground or at least the same height above the bottom of the doors for the whole length of the moldings.

    I have my moldings but find the directions kind of vague and am afraid to put them on and have it look bad.

    I need help and can't get it with SEARCH!


    Now I can get the links again. I don't think it was my connection as when it was not working, I could pull up other sites. PC seems to be flaky some times.
     
    #7 QuiGonJohn, Feb 11, 2009
  8. patsparks

    patsparks An Aussie perspective

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    Link worked for me in IE7.
     
    #8 patsparks, Feb 11, 2009
  9. Boo

    Boo Boola Boola Member

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    John,

    Follow my and Rokeby's posts and advice in the following thread, and I think your questions about height and angle of the moldings will be answered and your installation should go smoothly and look magnificent:

    http://priuschat.com/forums/prius-m...ccessful-body-side-moldings-installation.html

    EDIT: John - I see on the above thread that you've already found it.
     
    #9 Boo, Feb 11, 2009
  10. richard schumacher

    richard schumacher shortbus driver

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    I never did. Instead I park far, far away from other cars. No dings yet.
     
    #10 richard schumacher, Feb 11, 2009
  11. Rae Vynn

    Rae Vynn Artist In Residence

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    I've seen a Superwhite Prius with grey BSDs... looked very, very good! :wow:

    We've just not done it, either. I have somewhat of a ding, more of a "smush" spot, that is barely visible in the right light... looks like a door did it. Sigh.
     
    #11 Rae Vynn, Feb 12, 2009
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