Understanding Car Door Moulding
What Is Door Moulding?
When
something offers both a practical purpose while also being decorative then it
seems too good to be true but in the case of the Door Moulding, it is true. The
door mouldings on a car are used for protection against scratches and scrapes
but are also a decorative feature.
These
parts are expandable and can be made of many different types of materials like
plastic, aluminium and steel. Chrome finished mouldings can accent the look of
the car and are widely used in many vehicles.
Where Is Door Moulding Located?
The
Door Mouldings stretch the length of the door and are placed where the door
protrudes outwards the most as this section or area of the door would be most
prone to scratches and scrapes.
Types Of Door Mouldings
The
door mouldings are primarily distinguished by their location of application on
the door. They are:
- Body Side Moulding: These
go on the sheet metal across the widest section of the door as that area would
be most prone to damage.
- Door
Edge Mouldings: These run along the edge of the door to
provide protection from striking against other doors or obstacles.
- Door Pillar Post or Car Door Trim: These are mounted on the B-pillars of the door for added protection and visual interest.
- Door Sill Protector: These are affixed on the door sills to provide a decorative and protective feature.
Important Features Of Door Mouldings
The
main purpose of a moulding is to prevent direct scratches from other vehicles
and traffic while on the road or in a parking lot trying to squeeze into a
tight space. They prevent the object from touching the paint on the door and
can be very useful in daily use vehicles. All this is done while also offering
a distinctive look that can be made to match that of the car’s other
accessories.
Frequent Problems With Door Mouldings
These
are usually made of plastic or rubber as they are an expandable trim piece on
the car and with sustained usage can get deteriorated and weathered due to the
elements and daily abuse. Some have chrome plating for added styling that will
scrape off after long and can decrease the overall look of the car while
reducing protection.
Symptoms Of Door Mouldings
After
long the door mouldings on the car will show signs of deterioration and lose
its strength and can fall off the door due to the glue being dried up. They
also crack on impacts. These are mainly used for protection purposes and hence
replacing them would not only increase protection but also enhance the overall
styling of the vehicle.
Tools Needed For Door Mouldings
To avoid scratching the precious paintwork on the car while
removing the Door Mouldings and to refit it, make sure to use the following tools:
Top Brand For Door Mouldings
If you
know which car parts brand suits the best for your Door Mouldings, then it
would save a lot of your decision making time. What we believe is that picking
a particular brand would always be helpful in reducing the clutter, and at the
same time would make it easier for the customers to find what they are actually
looking for. That’s why we have listed out some top brands for Door Mouldings below
as follows:-
Related Parts Of Door Mouldings
For a custom look that also adds structural protection to the
vehicle consider buying other mouldings and related parts such as:
Total Costs & Repair Times, Effort For Door Mouldings
Protective mouldings on every part of the vehicle are
sacrificial elements that serve to protect the bodywork and paint of the
vehicle from scratches, dings and dents and hence require no maintenance but
replacement after prolonged use. They can be found in many different materials
like ABS plastic, polished stainless steel, or chrome-plated and the price may
vary accordingly.
How To Change The Door Mouldings?
Changing the door moulding requires a little persistence and the
right tools. Follow along these steps for an easy removal process:
- Use a plastic scraper and insert it between the door and the
moulding and gently scrape off the moulding from the tape underneath. This will
require a little persistence but should come right off. Alternatively, you can
use a heat gun or a
hairdryer to heat the surface of the moulding which will warm up the glue and
help reduce the effort required to remove the moulding.
- Once the moulding is off and if the tape is still adhered to the surface of the vehicle, use a plastic scraper to remove all the gunk before installing the new moulding.
- To apply the new moulding, use 3M double-sided tape and stick the moulding in line with the tape. Apply a little pressure to make sure the adhesion is strong.