Body Side Moldings (merged threads)
Driver
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 59
Likes: 0
From: AZ
Although some may not like the look of these, I wish they came standard on all vehicles (or have wider parking places at the mall). Has anyone had experience with DIY application of these? Does the adhesive really keep it on after multiple car washes, hot sun etc. Good luck.
Lexus Champion
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 1,973
Likes: 55
From: Ohio
IMHO, moldings make the car look worse. They also make it more difficult to wash the vehicle. They're a hit or miss (pun intended) when it comes to door dings. From my previous experiences, they are usually a miss, as in you get a door ding anyway.
The best solution I found is to park far far away and in the corner spaces. Me and my passengers get extra exercise, but it is worth it. In the 10 years I had my IS, I only have 2 or 3 door dings. One of them is the compliments of my wife parking the RX too close to the IS and one of the kids slamming the door open right into the IS. Now that the weather is nicer, time to hit a PDR shop and getting it fixed.
P.S.
It took me a couple hours to remount the molding on my IS that started to get loose. So no, I'm not a fan of them at all.
The best solution I found is to park far far away and in the corner spaces. Me and my passengers get extra exercise, but it is worth it. In the 10 years I had my IS, I only have 2 or 3 door dings. One of them is the compliments of my wife parking the RX too close to the IS and one of the kids slamming the door open right into the IS. Now that the weather is nicer, time to hit a PDR shop and getting it fixed.
P.S.
It took me a couple hours to remount the molding on my IS that started to get loose. So no, I'm not a fan of them at all.
Lexus Test Driver
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 811
Likes: 8
From: CA
Do you park where you can get door dings? If the answer is yes, then put them on ... it is that simple. Black will show even minor door contacts. If you use them for a while, you can check them to see if they are working (contact dings on molding). If you change your mind, they can be removed.
Last edited by UCSB; Mar 29, 2013 at 12:55 PM.
Pole Position
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 2,136
Likes: 953
From: Toronto, ON
I am going to second vlad. I had them on my last car. Don't look as good, harder to wash, and certainly not any guarantee against a ding. It really depends on the height of the door that is going to hit you. The only thing I found useful for them is to protect your own doors in case your own passengers open against something else, and for that door edge guards are better. I don't miss them at all.
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Instructor
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 869
Likes: 1
From: Alabama
Two years and working fine.
They have been on this car for over two years and work fine. The only dings have been on them and they are easy to touch up not like touching up the body of the car which you will Always look like it was touched up there. I only hand wash this car so to me it is no big deal to clean with them on the car. The bottom picture in the first post is this RX450h from two years ago.
Last edited by billy44bo; Mar 29, 2013 at 02:40 PM.
No, I don't play soccer!
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 6,652
Likes: 177
From: NJ
Congrats on your RX. I'm actually glad side moulding is no longer standard on the RX. It catches lots of dirt. On the 330 I used to spray the hose and watch the crap come out. Now the door is cleaner and cleaner looking IMO. I did have to change the way I wash my 450h, no big deal. Waxing is super easy. And there's always the benefit of extra exercise, LOL!
Lead Lap
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 502
Likes: 11
From: New Brunswick (NB)
Although some may not like the look of these, I wish they came standard on all vehicles (or have wider parking places at the mall). Has anyone had experience with DIY application of these? Does the adhesive really keep it on after multiple car washes, hot sun etc. Good luck.
Follow the instructions step by step, after you read them from beginning to end. Take the time to get the right measurements marked out on masking tape.
Piece of cake & they do look good.
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Pole Position
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 249
Likes: 0
From: NJ
I also thought about installing the mouldings on my RX, but they don't always work. We had mouldings on our '04 Camry XLE,and all the dings are on top or below the mouldings. My son parks it at the College parking lot.
The local Lexus dealer wanted over $250.00 for the mouldings and installation.I passed on that.
The local Lexus dealer wanted over $250.00 for the mouldings and installation.I passed on that.
Driver School Candidate
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 27
Likes: 1
From: MD
BSM is easier to touch up than a ding in the door...
It is much easier to rub off a paint transfer or touch up a chip on a BSM than on the door skin.
In all likelihood, the result of a door ding on the door skin will be a small dent and a chip.
A couple of them randomly spaced on your doors and you have a real mess.
The BSM's on the Lexus are very well done and quite fashionable.......gm
Driver School Candidate
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 18
Likes: 0
From: New York
My biggest regret after buying my 2013 rx was not installing them as soon as I bought. Was waiting for spring. Well guess what? I just washed the salt and dirt off my car and both sides have scapes where the moulding would go. Very peeved.
Lead Lap
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 557
Likes: 14
From: IL
My opinion centers around where you have to park. I can see the need to stick the less than attractive side moldings on your vehicle if you live in an urban environment where you are forced to park between cars in tight spots. If you live in a relatively more rural area as I do, the ability to park in end spots away from the other cars eliminates the need for door ding protection.
Pole Position
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 285
Likes: 1
From: CA
Opinions aside, it really comes down to peace of mind. You can park well enough away to possibly avoid a ding but that isn't a guarantee. Besides, my wife doesn't believe in this philosophy. She will park as close as possible to her destination regardless of the outcome. With the BSM I have yet to get a ding on the side of our RX450h.