On one hand they are functional and break up the space. Leaving them on only requires a little more work before paint.
On the other hand they are functional before fashionable but to remove them would require a bit of work to remove and fill the hole...
dashboard said
Dec 30, 2010
Not sure what you are referring to, are they factory? Can you post a pix? If they leave a hole when removed it's a starting point for corrosion and I would take them off.
I don't think our hobby cars are as pron to door chips as our daily drivers are. So I say take em off "less weight more speed"
Picked a color yet? I'd stick with silver and take the the car to Maaco in Burnsville. I had them do some work on my Elke and I was very pleased. But you need to ask lot of questions about what they are going to do and how they are going to do it. Ask for Jeff.
more ambition than brains said
Dec 30, 2010
The factory door edge guards usually were a friction fit. No screws. There were some rare styles that did have screw tabs extending inside the door frame.
Edge guards had NO purpose other that chipping the paint going on and taking the hit when door was carelessly opened.
They have NO value to our pampered vehicles.
When was the last time you allowed your car door to hit another car??
Take them off and leave them off.
Karl
SShink said
Dec 30, 2010
I don't think he's talking about door 'edge' guards. I think he means the ones that run horizontally along the door that have a small post spot welded onto the door to hold it on.
They were big in the 70's/80's and thankfully died with Disco!!! If you can't tell... I think they should be removed!
Chris R said
Dec 30, 2010
Derren. Cant you get pics of your car for us to see what it looks like with the guards on? It might not look so bad.
4-door Chevelle said
Dec 31, 2010
I don't have access to my pictures right now as I am Up North. Here is one from my Facebook account but it does not show much. I do believe it either has little mount posts that are screwed or solid but I suppose could be ground off and welded up by a body guy.
-- Edited by 4-door Chevelle on Friday 31st of December 2010 09:30:51 AM
more ambition than brains said
Dec 31, 2010
Okay, If these are the factory Side Mouldings.
If the clips are all good, there is NO rust around studs, and, the mouldings are in pristine condition, reinstall after painting if you like them. Otherwise, grind off the studs, weld the holes, smooth with poly filler, feather, prime and block.
Why Paint?
Car looks neat, (like a survivor) just the way it is. Tweak the mechanics, make it your Hauler, Sleeper!
Karl
Lost in the 60s said
Dec 31, 2010
A LOT of side mouldings were dealer added when they were popular and are just held on with 2 sided tape. They may just peel off with some Goof-Off glue remover.
4-door Chevelle said
Jan 3, 2011
Found the original invoice from Amity Chevrolet in Amityville, NY and it lists the "Body Side Moulding". The posts are all good and the mouldings are too. Here is a side view:
So, it does need a little more than a buff and shine too.
Lost in the 60s said
Jan 3, 2011
From this side, it looks like you could save some money on a complete repaint by concentrating on the body line down. Have the rust issues addressed and just paint the lower half to match. I would leave the side moldings and save the cost of removing them at this time too.
Chris R said
Jan 4, 2011
I would leave them off for now. Also. A body side molding is not the same as a door edge guard.
Scott Parkhurst said
Jan 5, 2011
Chris R wrote:
A body side molding is not the same as a door edge guard.
Very true...
....but I hate them both equally!
Our cars have such nice body lines, it sucks to break them up with either of these (factory or otherwise).
Of course, I'm from the west coast school of 'shave it smooth' - I don't like any trim that's not on a bodyline (driprail moldings can actually add to the look of a car in some cases), emblems, or wheelwell/door edge guards. They distract your eye from the body lines, and aren't functionally necessary (like door handles).
Just an opinion, of course, but clean is mean! Get all the 'doodads' off your car, and let the style speak for itself.
Chris R said
Jan 5, 2011
The wheel trim would definetly be overkill for sure.
On the other hand they are functional before fashionable but to remove them would require a bit of work to remove and fill the hole...
I don't think our hobby cars are as pron to door chips as our daily drivers are. So I say take em off "less weight more speed"
Picked a color yet? I'd stick with silver and take the the car to Maaco in Burnsville. I had them do some work on my Elke and I was very pleased. But you need to ask lot of questions about what they are going to do and how they are going to do it. Ask for Jeff.
They were big in the 70's/80's and thankfully died with Disco!!!
-- Edited by 4-door Chevelle on Friday 31st of December 2010 09:30:51 AM
So, it does need a little more than a buff and shine too.
Very true...
....but I hate them both equally!
Our cars have such nice body lines, it sucks to break them up with either of these (factory or otherwise).
Of course, I'm from the west coast school of 'shave it smooth' - I don't like any trim that's not on a bodyline (driprail moldings can actually add to the look of a car in some cases), emblems, or wheelwell/door edge guards. They distract your eye from the body lines, and aren't functionally necessary (like door handles).
Just an opinion, of course, but clean is mean! Get all the 'doodads' off your car, and let the style speak for itself.