watch your molding!

[jeffT]

For those of us who have not peeled off the door moldings on purpose - be careful.

I went to my friendly neighborhood wand carwash. I was in a real hurry to do a quick clean of my csrt8. Somehow the pressure washer must have lifted off a little of the driver's side rear door molding. It separated from the door by a quarter inch or so.

I did not notice and ran off to my meetings. Sometime that day, i opened the rear door and was puzzled when it didn't open right. I closed it and looked. The molding had caught the front door and dented the driver’s door molding and made a tiny scratch on the door paint. The back door molding was now bent out and looked awful.

Had some dealership issues which were finally dealt with but ended up having it all fixed under warranty.

So be careful washing. This is not nice especially when you have to drive around for a while with the door trim peeled off waiting for dealers to figure it out.

[Michaelr]

It might be time to remove all the mouldings for safety and good looks!
regards Michaelr

[CUEBALL]

Thanks for the warning!! I'll go out and check mine now.....

[bruno]

Sorry to hear about the mishap. However, your post brought up an older memory of the very same thing but it wasn't caused by a pressure washer.

bruno

Check out this 2005 thread:
http://www.300cforums.com/forums/general-discussion/10189-side-molding-has-happened-you.html?highlight=rear+door+molding

[wanna300]

how is this considered warranty work?

[jeffT]

Originally Posted by wanna300

how is this considered warranty work?

My argument was that the car has very few miles, and that the adhesion of the molding to the car should last many many years in normal conditions.

The dealership took pictures and sent it out for approval. Someone somewhere had mercy and kindness.

It was not cheap, they had to replace both moldings and repaint the front door to cover the small scratches.

it cost me nothing. So for those who have not been impressed with service and dealerships, this was a good experience.

I am not a member of the 160+ club (maybe someday I hope) but i would assume that the molding would start separating at that speed far faster than the pressure washer i used.

it would be worth everyone just checking to make sure the leading edge of their moldings are well fastened. I saw the guy rip the back one off and it is just cheap plastic really.

Those who have taken the molding off for looks may be able to add if any of it was loose when they removed it.

[jeffT]

Originally Posted by bruno

Sorry to hear about the mishap. However, your post brought up an older memory of the very same thing but it wasn't caused by a pressure washer.

bruno

Check out this 2005 thread:
http://www.300cforums.com/forums/general-discussion/10189-side-molding-has-happened-you.html?highlight=rear+door+molding

thanks for drawing my attention to this. looks like it has occured enough for the warranty to not be an issue.

BTW, my car was built 05/05, an early '06.

[bruno]

Originally Posted by jeffT

thanks for drawing my attention to this. looks like it has occured enough for the warranty to not be an issue.

BTW, my car was built 05/05, an early '06.

You're welcome. I don't think the pressure washer had anything to do with it. Pressure washers never affected my moldings (now removed), not even the hot heat where I live. From what you have described, I believe your situation truly met the circumstances mentioned in my attached thread.

bruno