Body Side Molding
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Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 390
I personally don't like side molding, BUT after my right rear passenger door took a good hit, I'm reconsidering my opinion. The "little" dent is 1-1/2" tall, right where the side mold would go! I'm not fond of side molding, but I HATE dents even more! I am however seriously considering some kind of edge guard for the bottom of my door: saw a guy with a xB open the passenger door for his lady and seriously scape the bottom of the door on the curb. Made me wince in sympathy.
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Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 1,219
From: Dillsburg, PA
The acura TL side molding or whatever you consider it looks amazing because it flows with the side of the car and its a in dent and not a piece that goes on the outside of the car. When I think of side molding it puts me in mind of cheap cheap cars. I know we have a cheap car, but the design of our cars do not look cheap. They have a good flow to them.
The dodge stealth I think the "ES" model had side molding and it made the car look ten times worse over the other cars including 3000gt and stealth. Side molding is just bad looking period lol
The dodge stealth I think the "ES" model had side molding and it made the car look ten times worse over the other cars including 3000gt and stealth. Side molding is just bad looking period lol
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Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 390
The recessed accent line on the Acura is part of the design of the car to emphasis it's lines (pardon the pun). They don't do anything to prevent any dings and dents in the door. Side molding was originally made to prevent the idiot parking next to you from wrecking your paint when they opened the door. As designers got more savvy, the put the molding in to do double duty: protect the door and give the body some flow. Sometimes they do a good job, sometimes not.
One option given to me by a friend was a line of small tires like on a tug or a dock. See the kinds of friends I have?
One option given to me by a friend was a line of small tires like on a tug or a dock. See the kinds of friends I have?
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Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 319
From: Rochester, NY
The biggest problem with body side molding, besides the looks, is that every other manufacturer's doors are shaped differently and there would be no one height on the XB to put the molding that would protect it from every door!
!My old Eclipse has side molding, but as you can see, it's designed into the body and is not only functional, but belongs.
tell him, Ken!
. My thinking is just that it isn't broad enough to be truly effective, however, if it were the 2" or so it needs to be, it might look kind-of-clunky. I can see people installing such an item, but it would probably be from fear of dents, not appreciation of the aesthetic.