For my 2019 RAV4, I ordered body side moldings online, but they weren’t packaged with installation guides or templates. Do you know where I might find them?
In This Article...
Can side molding be added to the body?
The expenditures associated with having your paint restored and dents removed are also avoided by avoiding scratches, dings, and dents. If purchasing body side moldings would increase the cost of fixing a broken door, there wouldn’t be much value in doing so. However, this isn’t the case because body side moldings are reasonably priced, and there are solutions for every budget. Depending on the brand and locality. They can run you anywhere from $10 to $300.
Additionally, you can specify exactly where and how much side moldings you desire. As a result, you can cut costs by, for instance, adding door side moldings just. There are kits that are fairly inexpensive, even if you cover the full side of your car with moldings.
How is side molding cut?
Apply adhesive promoter to the vehicle surface where it will make contact with the molding after carefully preparing the area and laying down your masking tape guideline. As the molding is forced into position as a result, the adhesive’s bond will be strengthened.
In order to work on one piece at a time, peel back the red liner of the molding roll by roughly 18 inches. Using the masking tape as a guide, place the molding directly beneath it.
With the back of your hand, press the molding’s end down to secure it in place. Then, keep applying moderate pressure while slid along with the palm of your hand.
When you reach the door break, use a straight-blade shear to trim the molding right before the door edge. Apply the molding to the quarter panel as you normally would; as you get close to the wheel well, trim the molding at an angle to fit the opening of the wheel well.
Going back, apply very forceful pressure while sliding a soft cloth to shield your hand. Apply additional pressure the second time you go through this process. (A rubber roller tool can also be used for this technique.) Remove the masking tape reference point last.
Here is an illustration of a finished installation using our MDG117 1 1/2 inch Body Side Molding.
An explanation of body side moulding
When it comes to your vehicle’s visual appeal, body side molding serves a dual purpose. On the one hand, body side molding gives your automobile or truck a bespoke look by adding lines and angles that distinguish it from competing models that are straight out of the dealership. Think about chrome body side molding, which can give a two-door workhorse, a four-door passenger transport, or whatever you have, sharp and shining definition. However, auto body side molding also safeguards the paint by serving as a barrier against parking lot jarring objects.
Cowles’ body side molding is known as a “protective accent. It appears as a strip with an appealing, homogeneous surface on one side and adhesive on the other. The binding is firm and stable thanks to the pressure-sensitive acrylic foam attachment tape from 3M. The side that faces the outside world could be flat or rounded, black or silver. There are a variety of sizes, hues, and designs to pick from, all of which can work as a barrier to prevent car doors, stray shopping carts, and other dangers from causing scratches or chips in the paint on the side of your own vehicle.
Although many automobiles lack it, some come with body side molding already in place. Body side molding is something you can buy and install yourself, saving money, investing in the life of your car, and having full control over the appearance and security of your paint job, trim, and accessories. Dealerships may offer it as an optionan “extra” or “bonus” that raises the pricebut it’s something you can buy and install yourself.
There should be specific manufacturer-recommended body side molding type and location criteria for each make and model of vehicle, truck, SUV, or van. Any car can use universal designs thanks to Cowles’ body side molding, though you might still wish to go at the suggested installation details.
Body side molding should be installed wherever it would improve the aesthetics of your car. Another common option for those seeking to add an aesthetic edge is chrome trim.
Consider the areas where your own vehicle is most likely to sustain damage in order to protect the paint. There is a lot of flesh to cover, even though the doors are an easy choice. Remember that the parts that protrude the furthest are also the ones that are most affected. Body side molding should be used at these places. Imagine it as if you were getting your automobile or truck ready for a contact sport. The most exposed and/or susceptible areas of the players are protected with knee and elbow pads, wrist guards, and a helmet, not by wrapping them in bubble wrap.
Due to the molding’s elasticity, it can curve and bend to precisely suit the contours of your vehicle and hug the side for the entire length of it.
A selection of colors are available for car body side molding to compliment or match your current paint job. There are many sizes available, including fine-line and mid-line alternatives for a refined appearance. The universal style, as its name suggests, will fit any car thanks to its flat, straightforward surface, but it’s not your only choice. Other designs include round, trapezoidal, and pyramid shapes, as well as European, which has a more prominent slope. The alternatives for caprice and taurus have a groove that gives them more visual depth.
Step 1
First, remember that 65 degrees Fahrenheit is the best temperature for this activity. With a tape that may attach to your car’s paint without harming it during removal, mark the precise location where you want to put the body side molding. Although painter’s tape ought to work, you might want to test it first on a discreet spot to make sure. Run a lengthy strip of tape just above the length of the area once you are satisfied with the tape you have chosen and the precise location of your body side molding. When it’s time for installation, you may simply adhere your molding in a straight line under the lower border of the tape.
Step 2
Remove any and all dust, grease, soot, or filth from the region to make it ready for the body side molding to adhere. The bare minimum for this step is to thoroughly wash it with soap and water, then dry it with a lint-free cloth. To provide a perfect surface for the body side molding glue, you should also use a solvent safe for automobile paint to remove any traces of oils or other greasy residue. To wipe the surface, use a soft cloth and rubbing alcohol and water mixed together in a 50/50 ratio.
Step 3
To fit where it is needed, cut the molding to the appropriate lengths. For a precise, rapid cut, we advise using shears. Remove the backing from the first section of body side molding that needs to be installed, then start attaching it to the car at the marked line. To guarantee that the molding stays level and straight, move gently but uniformly and provide consistent pressure as you go. During installation, keep your hands off the adhesive side and don’t let any dirt or debris touch it. Once the entire strip has been applied, go from beginning to end with a soft cloth.
Step 4
Before washing the automobile or allowing the strips to be disturbed in any other way, remove the guiding tape and let the body side molding adhesive set for a few days. The molding must first be securely installed before you can start driving.
Photo 1: Clean old adhesive off the car
Clean the old glue from the door by soaking a cotton rag in adhesive remover. Do this in a room with good ventilation, ideally outside on the driveway. Use a plastic putty knife to scrape away the old glue, then keep cleaning and applying remover until it is completely gone. Denatured alcohol is then used to further clean the surface and remove any leftovers. Avoid using abrasives. The mounting tape should have a spotless, flat surface.
Photo 2: Clean the molding
By soaking it in adhesive remover, rubbing and scraping the old glue off, thoroughly clean the back side of the body side molding. Although you should take your time and persevere, this task can be obstinate. When the surface is clear of adhesive, clean cloth wet with denatured alcohol should be used to wipe it.
Photo 3: Apply molding tape
To the places that will come into touch with the molding, apply the double-stick molding tape. Along its length, firmly press the tape. Use two strips for a wide trim, as demonstrated.
Photo 4: Expose the sticky surface
To reveal the tape’s sticky surface, peel down the protective film. Avoid touching it with your fingers or letting any trash touch the tape.
Photo 5: Apply the body side molding
Starting from one end, carefully position the body side molding, and then slowly push it onto the tape. Take your time because the tape holds firmly. Push the body side molding firmly into position once it is there using a rag. To bond the full length of the molding, move back and forth across it.
Perhaps you’re one of those drivers that has your vinyl or rubber side molding fluttering in the breeze as you pass by. Well, you can solve this issue permanently for less than $20 before your pricey molding strip ends up in the back of the vehicle hauling the highway cleanup crew. Pick some molding tape and adhesive remover at the auto parts store. Denatured alcohol, a plastic putty knife, and clean cloths are all you’ll need at that point.
What is the name of the side trim of a car?
A set of body side moldings can be added to your automobile or truck, and they are not only visually appealing but also completely practical. By simply shielding the sides of the car or truck with a rubber or vinyl car door molding or strip, you can save yourself a lot of time and money in future body repair expenditures. You will be protected from minor bruising and bumps in a parking lot if you have a car molding. It appears that someone will always park directly next to you, even if you park in a parking lot’s farthest corner where there is no one else to scratch or dent your car. Can you identify? When it comes to protecting against dings, nicks, and scratches of all kinds, a little protection from our vehicle or truck moldings may go a long way.
Let’s face it, there are many options when determining which vehicle molding to select. Sizes and forms range from chrome body molding to black car door trim, door edge guards, and wheel well trim. The chrome door trim will provide more accents or highlights, whereas the painted body side molding will give you the factory look. We create our body side moldings and automobile door trim in accordance with vehicle requirements. Some have factory-formed ends that give your vehicle the optimum protection and appearance. Profit from our most popular door edge guards, bumper moldings, and side trim moldings, which the pros employ. Peel and stick installation is all that’s required.
J-B Weld
Sam and Mary Bonham founded the J-B Weld Company in 1969. Sam wanted a cold weld solution to replace torch welding, so he worked with a Texas A&M chemist to create J-B Weld, a two-part epoxy. With goods like WD-40 and duct tape, the product assisted in its growth from a small, regional retailer to a global one. The business continues to create premium adhesives like the well-known J-B Weld Plastic Bonder Adhesive and Gap Filler.
Loctite
In 1956, Professor Vernon Krieble invented a “liquid locknut.” He founded the Loctite Corporation in Hartford, Connecticut as the product’s popularity increased. Before acquiring Loctite in 1997, the Henkel business, which had been making laundry detergent and other household goods since 1876, made an investment in the company in the 1980s. With well-known products like its Loctite Plastics Bonding System, Loctite has grown to become the most well-known adhesive brand in the world.
Gorilla Glue
Cincinnati, Ohio serves as the home location for The Gorilla Glue Company. For more than 20 years, the business has been manufacturing Gorilla Super Glue Gel, a substance that was primarily used in Indonesia for Teak furniture but quickly gained popularity due to its many uses. Although a common household item, some individuals may wonder if Gorilla Glue may be used on automobiles. Any of their goods make excellent car glues. The business is still run and owned by a family today.
Which adhesive works best for vehicle trim?
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