I'm thinking of getting the moldings sold on the priuschat store. I notice they adhere with a 3M tape product. I've never seen a car with the moldings and I was wondering how "finished" they look (assuming I had them installed professonally). What I mean is do they have a smooth adherence to the paint without small gaps that would give it cheap-looking "plastic appilque" look as opposed to looking like an integral part of the car. Do they stay adhered well? I know they have a 5 year warranty but does that mean they will look as well applied in 5 years as when new? If they fall off or need to come off do they leave a glue residue that won't come off without damaging the paint? Thanks
In my opinion, they look quite professional and OEM. I purchased them my self then had a shop help me put them on. It was so easy, I really could have done it myself. It has been 1.5 years now and they look as good as new.
I had black side moldings (similar to the colored ones shown in another post, but a little wider) installed on my sand beige 2004 Prius two days after I brought it home. A professional installer came to my home and did the job in my driveway for less than $90 (total cost). They have held up quite well and I think it improves the look of the car. JeffD
Just installed my side mouldings this morning; quite an easy job and it only took me about an hour and a half. I purchased them online at the PriusChat store and they were delivered promptly. All-in-all, for $120 it was great addition. Mike
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(ernda @ May 4 2006, 08:30 PM) [snapback]250027[/snapback]</div> They look OEM and not cheap at all (see above). 3M adhesive is a professional adhesive used on many types of cars; no gaps, etc. Installing them was a breeze; just follow the directions. My Acura MDX has the same type of side mouldings and I haven't had a problem in over four years with them.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(ernda @ May 4 2006, 10:30 PM) [snapback]250027[/snapback]</div> I did mine last weekend-no pics yet, raining all the time I thought it was pretty easy, ruler, mechnical pencil and scotch tape were my tools. I was very careful and particular so it took me about an hour and a half. I put mine an a slight rake, following the angle of the door handles from between rim and edge of front tire to upper part of rear wheel well. Looks good, better than the recommended parallel IMHO. I deliberately did not use the surface prep goo that came in the kit-plenty of 3m adhesive on these pieces because they are wide so I don't think they will come loose. The goo fades paint ( according to the instructions) and I wanted to be able to remove them if I want. They look OEM though the quality was not like the rest of the car, but acceptable. Got mine from the PC store.
I just got done putting moldings and mud flap's on my 1 day old PRUIS It took me a couple hours but I am a real fuss A S.... It look's GREAT . I picked up my parts from METRO TOYOTA on-line, I am very please with the products they couldn't look any nicer I used the BLUE painters tape from the hardware store and a grease pencil it helped out. On the mud flap's I traced the flaps with the g pencil then I used a crystal clear poly tape to act as a buffer, so it would protect the paint. very please I will get some pictures ASAP.
I doubt you'll get an answer about the adhesive leaving a residue if the moldings are taken off. Probably no one has taken them off if they've stayed fully adhered. Even then, there are so many effective solvents, I'd be surprised if there wasn't one that would remove any particular adhesive. You can call any body shop and ask.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(ernda @ May 4 2006, 10:30 PM) [snapback]250027[/snapback]</div> Totally worth it. They only took me about 20 minutes to install on my car. (A great tip that worked for me--use masking tape to both tape off the line of the moulding per the directions AND to measure placement. When done with one side, take tape off and use again on other side. You don't have to measure again!) It really adds to the look of my car--otherwise known as my little black doorstop. One of my good friends is car detail freak, and he was totally surprised at how great they look. If you choose to get them: warning--the mudflaps take much longer to install...so did the stupid front mask. I was cussing my head off at that stupid mask the first time I used it. The second time I did it in under 5 minutes, but the first time took over an hour.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(mbarrows @ May 12 2006, 03:10 PM) [snapback]254257[/snapback]</div> How far from the door edge do you commence the installation of the angle cut end of the molding? I am referring to the center of the side of the car where the edges of the two doors come together. Someone mentioned you had to leave like a 1/2 " or somethingfrom the edge of the door to the beginning of the angle cut end of the molding, but in the images it looks like most have installed the molding right at the edge of the door.. the instructions do not mention this issue. Thanks.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Bill P @ May 13 2006, 08:25 AM) [snapback]254695[/snapback]</div> Pretty much up to the door edge (maybe about a 1/4" away). Door opens fine and doesn't impinge on strips. I don't remember the directions specifically mentioning this.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(mbarrows @ May 13 2006, 09:35 AM) [snapback]254699[/snapback]</div> Thanks for your reply, Danny suggested to try 1/2 " from rear door edge to install the molding. I appreciate the assistance...the directions do NOT say where to start the angle cut edge of the molding on the rear doors. Bill
I installed my side moldings yesterday on my new 08. I used a chalk line which made it a breeze! After throughly washing and drying the car, I cleaned the area with the alcohols swabs. I then used a grease pencil to mark the two spots, and taped the chalk line to one spot. Pulled it tight aligning with the second spot and snapped the line. I then used the special "activator" stick above the line, and proceeded to apply the moldings.
VERY NICE INSTALL!!! Looks great, in fact I think its time to order a set for myself!! Thanks for the inspiration!! 73 de Pat KK6PD