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Protective Body Side Molding

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Accessories & Modifications' started by Bill60546, May 23, 2004.

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  1. Bill60546

    Bill60546 Member

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    Recently had custom color matched body side molding installed for both front and rear doors. It was installed by The Plastic Surgeons in suburban Chicago; 630-669-7033. The material is a soft plastic with bullet nose and beveled ends. We installed the protective strip 8" above the top line of the door indent; using it as a reference.
     
    #1 Bill60546, May 23, 2004
  2. assagor

    assagor New Member

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    swweeeeeeeeeeet. Looks very nice and OEM while being stylish. Too bad I'm all the way in Hawaii and do not know where I can get that done around here.
     
    #2 assagor, May 23, 2004
  3. Bill60546

    Bill60546 Member

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    The manufacturer is Dawn Enterprises Inc. in Ohio.

    www.dawn-ent.com
    800-548-4867

    The size is 1 3/8" half round and was painted using the color code numbers found on the door panel. It came in a heavy duty paper tube with the molding wrapped in a cloth sock. The adhesive is a 3M material that is very aggressive.

    For those owners considering ordering, I would recommend professional application. The adhesive is very strong and part of the reason why it looks good is that its straight, even and perfectly located.
     
    #3 Bill60546, May 23, 2004
  4. Bill60546

    Bill60546 Member

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    A close up view.
     
    #4 Bill60546, May 23, 2004
  5. seeh2o

    seeh2o Prius OG

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    Congratulations, it looks good. This is the first one I've seen with moldings.

    Did you order them from the manufacturer? How much were the moldings? How much to have them installed?
     
    #5 seeh2o, May 23, 2004
  6. slowpoke

    slowpoke New Member

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    Are the moldings pre-painted or did you have to do them yourself?
     
    #6 slowpoke, May 23, 2004
  7. eak354

    eak354 Member

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    awesome! very sleek indeed! :wink:
     
    #7 eak354, May 23, 2004
  8. artie

    artie Member

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    did the same thing, in black, since my car is...black. my side molding is shaped to the rear and front of the car, fenders, as well.
    also put on the door edge protectors, so i am less likely to harm others,
    body shop did whole thing, cost was $90.
    i like it.
     
    #8 artie, May 24, 2004
  9. bikeprius

    bikeprius New Member

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    Looks excellent!
    How much did it cost and how long did it take to complete?

    Also, where did you buy the mudflaps for the car?
     
    #9 bikeprius, May 24, 2004
  10. Bill60546

    Bill60546 Member

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    The moldings cost $175 installed and come pre-painted. The 3M adhesive strip is pre-applied.
    Have received a few emails regarding installation. There is a low tech process to place, orientate and apply the moldings. Its very simple for those who are experienced. I would strongly caution against anyone thinking about just buying the moldings, removing the protective tape that covers the backing and applying the molding to the car themselves. The adhesive properties of the backing tape are very strong and aggressive. IMHO, even just a 1/2 inch on the car and it's permanent; so it has to be done correctly. Any Toyota dealer, good body shop or automotive aftemarket shop could apply this product.
    But, to be sure, once even a small area is applied and makes contact with your car, its there for good, period, no questions about it. Dawn did a wonderful job matching the Toyota color exactly and Plastic Surgeons had the skills and expertise to locate and apply it properly; total installation time was about 45 min. This is definately a "do not try this at home product".
    So pay the money, have it done right and keep your new car looking great.
     
    #10 Bill60546, May 24, 2004
  11. bookrats

    bookrats New Member

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    Thanks greatly for providing the detail -- it is appreciated.

    My only regret is that whatever color my Prius comes in -- Driftwood or Tideland -- I don't think they have a color match.
     
    #11 bookrats, May 24, 2004
  12. Bill60546

    Bill60546 Member

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    The color numbers located on the door panel tells any company the specific color. They can match any color and then paint the body side moldings accordingly. Thats why DuPont, or any paint manufacturer, can match any automotive manufacturer's color.
     
    #12 Bill60546, May 24, 2004
  13. Bob Allen

    Bob Allen Captainbaba

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    Looks good. Anyone in the Seattle area know of where such can be purchased and installed? My only caveat is that after a few years, the ends may start moving away from the body of the car. Virtually every 6 to 7 year old car I've seen with glue on molding has this problem.
     
    #13 Bob Allen, May 24, 2004
  14. bookrats

    bookrats New Member

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    #14 bookrats, Jun 4, 2004
  15. Larry Page

    Larry Page New Member

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    Body Side Moldings

    I ordered a set of moldings from Dawn Enterprises and had my dealer install them. I gave Dawn the paint code and they match perfectly.

    Larry Page
    Appleton, WI

     
    #15 Larry Page, Jul 13, 2004
  16. Kerensky

    Kerensky New Member

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    Do body side molding's reduce MPG? I know they must make the car a bit less aero-dynamic, but is it enough to actually cause a noticable drop in MPG?
     
    #16 Kerensky, Jul 15, 2004
  17. Larry Page

    Larry Page New Member

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    A bug on your windshield would probably make more difference.
     
    #17 Larry Page, Jul 15, 2004
  18. fcrimifd

    fcrimifd New Member

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    Side door Mouldings

    I ordered my mouldings from JC Whitney for $39 and had a mechanic install them for $20.
     
    #18 fcrimifd, Aug 8, 2004
  19. Rick Grahn

    Rick Grahn New Member

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    I just had The Plastic Surgeons in suburban Chicago (630-669-7033) add the body side moldings to my salsa red '05 Prius. They look great and the color matches perfectly. Tim (from The Plastic Surgeons) and Richard (his assistant) did a great job.

    Tim talked like he is willing to put an install kit together for the average person to do on their own. I watched them do the work...it is not complicated and I think with a good set of instructions, almost anyone can do it with a great result. If interested in ordering a "custom colored kit," give Tim a call. He is great to work with. Maybe he can give a discount to PriusChat.com members????

    He also applies the 3M invisible mask for the front facing portions of the car. I saw one he had done there and it looks great...I'm considering that too.
     
    #19 Rick Grahn, Dec 2, 2004
  20. Areometer

    Areometer Silver Business Sponsor

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    Is Plastic Surgeon online?

    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Rick Grahn\";p=\"54901)</div>
    Hey Rick, does Tim have an email or URL? I just called but only got to his voicemail. What type of molding did he install for you? The Highlander ones or some other aftermarket ones? So I assume that the install kit doesn't include the moldings themselves, right? Do you know what are included in the kit then? Some measuring rulers, DVD, etc.?

    Thanks.
     
    #20 Areometer, Dec 3, 2004
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