Body Moldings - to remove or not to remove?
 

So what is the opinion of the masses here? I have seen pics of CLEAN FBs...

some with the body moldings and some without.

What do you all like?
Why did you remove them?
Why did you keep them on?

After my initial mods I am saving the body work for last. I plan on redoing the whole body and repainting it so its all cherry again. So...I was thinking when the time comes...do I keep the molding or remove them?

discuss....

What color do you plan on painting it? I like both in certain situations. The cons I see with removing them is they are still present in the bumper covers which looks off but then again you get a nice smooth body. Then again certain colors just stand out with the molding still on.

I find that the darker color go nicely with them removed, as oppose to lighter colors.

I find that the darker color go nicely with them removed, as oppose to lighter colors.

what the man above me said..
i just really think they look good on white
plus it saves your doors, thats why i havent taken mine off.
my first SE didnt have them
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v6...2/royce009.jpg

If you like "clean" install the narrower SA style...
Stu Aull
80GS
Alaska

pics
 

here are two before and after..

I don't have them on mine, but like everyone says they are very practicle at protecting your paint and doors.

So if your car is gonna be parked at the shops alot i'd keep em, but if its only a weekend car and your never gonna be too far from it, take em off.

At the end of the day, with the factory channel groove in the bodywork you still have some sort of "line" running down the car even if you remove the mouldings, so I guess it comes down to personal likes and your choice if you remove them.

Cam...

removed them because I was unable to find the missing pieces.

I like them, but then again im tryin to keep it as stock as possible.

If you are not going to fill the channels then I say leave them. If your doing a body kit and filling the channels then no. Just my opinion.

Light colored body yes leave them........>Dark colored body then take them off.

I always rip em off.
Something about the big goofy stips ESPECIALLY on lighter colors bothers me.
I think they sorta hide themselves on a black car, the only time I would probably keep em.


Though, I am the kind of guy who parks at the farthest end of the parking lot so no one parks near me.

If my car was in a public lot often, I would definately rethink things.

SA mouldings are sweet tho!!

I wouldnt take those off.

I agree with you totally (of course we have look alike cars). I not only had mine put back on after it was painted, I also had them paint the moldings. To me, it would always look like something was missing if they weren't there.

Taking them off looks good if you paint the bumpers one colour.

i personally like them better without them....but when u paint it....make sure ur painter removes the strips(and all stickers) BEFORE painting.....my sa22 had them removed after the respray (can u say dodgy?)....take them off before its painted, then when its painted...put them back on and c which u like better...

Remove them, and have a strong magnetic backing applied. Than you can remove/replace them at will, LOL. Just an idea.

Which pieces do you need? I'm parting my GSL and I have all but one door.

Not a good idea... the repeated removing and putting back on will leave lil dings in the paint that over time will be come VERY noticable esspecially with how heavy those molding are and how strong the magnets would have to be.

I like em n don't like em like everyone else, but if your goin 2 do a respray of white I sugg paint the mouldings gloss black like I did and they won't look as bad imvho

I like em n don't like em like everyone else, but if your goin 2 do a respray of white I sugg paint the mouldings gloss black like I did and they won't look as bad imvho

my side moldings have been a life saver to door dings in the past. I remember this one time at the grocery store i was in my car parked and there was this grocery cart rushing at me from the side (becase it was crazy windy that day) ...i did not have enough time to get out and stop it but the cart only hit the molding and eveyrthing was fine. if that molding was not there i would have a nice big dent on my door.

The thing about removing the moldings on an fb is that when you do the side markers stick out too far. If you shave those side markers, or, set them up recessed style, it would look really nice. I agree w/ most people here, dark looks good w/out, but white, ya need 'em, and they look gooooood.

yeah thanks everyone. I think I will keep em on...maybe use the early thinner ones like some suggested. That is a great idea.

And yes I plan to be driving the car alot so I will need the extra protection for sure.

Thanks all for the advice and input!

take em off, spend 5 G-notes replacing the bumpers with something cooler, adding sideskirts, and some shiny paint and voila: You have the POS in my sig.