Door Molding Install

[Oiluj]

Time to re-install the side molding. It's the aluminum channel, rivet-on type with the inset vinyl strip.

I almost hate to do it, the car looks better with clean sides. But without it, living and parking in a urban area means more unsightly door dings, so it's required.

Question: Has anyone tried just using the 3M mounting tape to attach this type of molding? It would be much better than drilling a bunch of holes in the car.

If so, how's it holding up?

[Arne]

Please, Julio, can't you find places to park that won't require those things? I'm SOOO glad my car came without, even with the 30 years of door dings it collected. Still no moldings after paint, and no door dings either...

[Mike B]

Exactly what I was going to say Arne.

-Mike

[Travel'n Man]

I thought real hard about putting them on when my body work was almost completed but ............... I just couldn't bring myself to it.........to each their own.........but I'm damn careful where I park.

[Oiluj]

Guys, I do hear and understand what you guys are saying. I prefer it "clean" too.

But the reality is, we live, drive and park in an urban area. I seldom have a "choice" of parking places.

Point is, I'd rather "drive" my car, than limit my usage or leave it in the garage because I'm afraid to park it at my destination. That means I have to choose between having door moldings or live with lots of dings...

So back to my question:

Has anybody tried using the double stick to attach this type of molding? If it works, at least I wouldn't be drilling holes...

Thanks, Julio

[Carl Beck]

Hi Julio:

Because the supersonic line along the side of the 240-Z actually is the farthest point on the body from the centerline of the car - applying a body side molding there actually does save the body from most door dings.

Given your use of the car - it makes sense to replace the body side molding.

The body side molding that uses an aluminum channel to hold a vinyl strip - was replaced in the aftermarket by vinyl strips applied with the double sided tape. This eliminated the aluminum channel - so that the extra weight & cost could be eliminated - the reduction in weight made it possible to hold the vinyl strip on the car with just the double sided tape.

I would have two concerns using only double sided tape to hold the aluminum channel/vinyl strip on the car. First it might be too heavy for the double sided tape to hold alone; Second if you were running down the freeway at 70mph+ and a section came off - how would you ever find a replacement for that section of aluminum today.

You might try the double sided tape - but also include at least a couple rivets in each section. One thing is for sure - if you use double sided tape both mating surfaces have to be very clean to start with.

good luck,

Carl

[Oiluj]

Hi Julio:

Second if you were running down the freeway at 70mph+ and a section came off - how would you ever find a replacement for that section of aluminum today.

You might try the double sided tape - but also include at least a couple rivets in each section. One thing is for sure - if you use double sided tape both mating surfaces have to be very clean to start with. good luck,

Carl

Carl,

Thanks for the input.

The aluminum molding is still available from this source: http://www.customautotrim.com/products/moldings/rivet.htm

The vinyl even comes in colors. I'm using silver.

I'm thinking I'll do 3 rivets in the short sections and 4 in the longer sections. Less than before but enough to hold it securely.

Julio

[Jeffrey]

Personnally I love the look of the original aluminum molding that ended just after the door or before the wheel arch. I've been looking for some. I was going to 3M them on though. The tape works extremely well and should hold up fine.

[Arne]

Personnally I love the look of the original aluminum molding....

It was not "original". No Z came with it from the factory. Often dealer installed prior to sale, but not "original".

[Jeffrey]

I didn't mean they were an OEM original factory installed part. I meant original 1970's aftermarket not the cheap rubber only stuff available today. Sorry for the confusion Arne. Thanks for catching that.

[Arne]

I figured that was what you meant, Jeffrey. But I wanted to clarify this for any people new to Zs that might read this. There are still a lot of people out there who think things like slot mags, side moldings and side stripes are "factory" since so many were dealer-installed when new. I've taken to referring to such parts as "vintage" or "period" to differentiate from true original parts.

[Mike B]

There are still a lot of people out there who think things like slot mags, side moldings and side stripes are "factory" since so many were dealer-installed when new. I've taken to referring to such parts as "vintage" or "period" to differentiate from true original parts.

I would also differentiate dealer installed Nissan accessories from dealer installed aftermarket parts. For example, some side stripes are "true original parts", they were just dealer installed, instead of installed by the factory.

-Mike