Side Molding

[AndrewBird]

I know the late solid black side molding doesn't fit early cars because the rear arches are different. What I was wonder, couldn't you just trim the side molding down, similar to how you would trim bumper trim when doing a plastic bumper swap? Are there any other places they don't fit except that back piece at the rear fender?

Do the clips only fit in one location on the trim, or do they slide i a track on the back of the trim? I.E. - Can the clips be adjusted backwards and forwards?

[dmoffitt]

how exactly would you "trim" it w/o leaving a nasty rough edge?

[MR 325]

I'd say it's not worth the trouble. Just prep the early trim piece well and paint it with SEM.

[AndrewBird]

You could just paint the trim, but the color isn't the only difference. Older trim has the metal insert and later trim does not.

And as far as triming it, I haven't seen the trim up close, but it's just rubber/plastic, right? Shouldn't be difficult to reproduce a smooth edge.

[Jand3rson]

You could just paint the trim, but the color isn't the only difference. Older trim has the metal insert and later trim does not.

And as far as triming it, I haven't seen the trim up close, but it's just rubber/plastic, right? Shouldn't be difficult to reproduce a smooth edge.

Yeah, it's just a thick hard rubber/plastic. Are you thinking about for my car? Because I was actually just planning (if we do it) to scuff the chrome insert, mask it off, hit it with a coat of self-etching primer, and then just spray the whole molding piece.

[blazing]

Have any of you guys removed this trim before?
Do all the clips and hardware tend to break when removing them?
I just bought a set of newer black mouldings on evilbay.
I was not sure if they would fit my 87 when I bought them and after reading this I'm not sure I will try.
I might give it a shot if I dont have to replace a shit load of little nickle and dime parts.
The newer moulding is appealing as ther would be no chance of paint chipping pealing ect.. in an area where impacts are likley to occour like door dings and shopping cart rash.

[BMW BMXER]

Ya the clubs generally break but they are pretty inexpensive.

[AndrewBird]

Have any of you guys removed this trim before?
Do all the clips and hardware tend to break when removing them?
I just bought a set of newer black mouldings on evilbay.
I was not sure if they would fit my 87 when I bought them and after reading this I'm not sure I will try.
I might give it a shot if I dont have to replace a shit load of little nickle and dime parts.
The newer moulding is appealing as ther would be no chance of paint chipping pealing ect.. in an area where impacts are likley to occour like door dings and shopping cart rash.

Late model (88-92) trim will not fit early model (84-87) cars. The rear fender arches changed so the back trim piece is the wrong size.

I was just thinking though, is that back piece that doesn't fit too long or too short?

[MR 325]

Late model (88-92) trim will not fit early model (84-87) cars. The rear fender arches changed so the back trim piece is the wrong size.

I was just thinking though, is that back piece that doesn't fit too long or too short?

My guess would be that the later model piece is shorter... Don't know for sure though.

[blazing]

My guess would be that the later model piece is shorter... Don't know for sure though.

Just got them in the mail and it looks like they are a little longer.
I have to check them out more next to the older ones but I'm pretty sure shortening them wont be a huge problem.
If the rearmost tip of the moulding is the same profile as the old one I could shorten the front part up.
The front looks like it has a seperate cap at the end so I am thinking pop off cap cut replace cap and viola all black trim that fits.
All speculatory right now,I will check it out more this weekend.

[Jand3rson]

Or you could paint the chrome strip black like I did, and have all black moldings that fit.

But, to each his own, most people want the solid ones, I like still having the black strip. Gives the molding a little more detail.

[nefarious7907]

Good deal I was going to swap the later trim onto my ghetto shaved car, when I unshave it this spring.

[Lof8]

Hey Blazing, any updates?