Body side molding put on crooked by dealer

[michaelkingdom]

Hi all,

I recently bought an '11 Camry and I wanted the door guards to avoid parking lot rash. The dealer installed them and they look OKAY but tilt upward at an awkward angle. I don't think anyone but me would notice it. However, I am not happy with it. All other cars on the road have guards that are basically horizontal to the road and mine veer up at a weird slant.

1. Should the dealer replace them the way I would like? I didn't think this would need to be negotiated beforehand!

2.If I do it myself, any tips on removal/doublesided tape to put them back on?

Michael

[gdanaher]

We probably need a picture on this one. The package they come in includes directions and specific measurements. There are at least two versions of the door guards That I know of and they look different, so stand back a few meters and take a picture. It is actually a bit of a chore to put these on and have them perfect. I know. I've done a few and, well, it can go go bad, very quickly. As for the adhesive, it might take a paint job on four doors to get it back to right, so if it is close, consider living with it.

[RickF]

Are you talking about door guards...



or body side moldings..?



I think you're talking about the latter. If so, I would try to get them make it right. It can be tricky getting them off without marking up the finish.

[Pawel062]

yea we definitely need pics. like other said they ain't east to take off. thats one reason why i didn't take them.

[workerant]

Sorry to go off topic.

This thing is to prevent your door damage other parked cars beside you, but is there anything to prevent others from damaging your door?

I don't push out my door and let it slam into the next car. But others had slam their door into my car.

[MJZ]

Originally Posted by michaelkingdom

Hi all,

I recently bought an '11 Camry and I wanted the door guards to avoid parking lot rash. The dealer installed them and they look OKAY but tilt upward at an awkward angle. I don't think anyone but me would notice it. However, I am not happy with it. All other cars on the road have guards that are basically horizontal to the road and mine veer up at a weird slant.

1. Should the dealer replace them the way I would like? I didn't think this would need to be negotiated beforehand!

2.If I do it myself, any tips on removal/doublesided tape to put them back on?

Michael

Just pull it off slowly. Remove the double sided tape, maybe sand away the tape if you need to, buy your own 3M doublesided tape.

You will probably have to do this for all them though.

[bandit]

I'm assuming OP is talking about body side molding and will update thread title.

[laphan]

Originally Posted by michaelkingdom

Hi all,

I recently bought an '11 Camry and I wanted the door guards to avoid parking lot rash. The dealer installed them and they look OKAY but tilt upward at an awkward angle. I don't think anyone but me would notice it. However, I am not happy with it. All other cars on the road have guards that are basically horizontal to the road and mine veer up at a weird slant.

1. Should the dealer replace them the way I would like? I didn't think this would need to be negotiated beforehand!

2.If I do it myself, any tips on removal/doublesided tape to put them back on?

Michael

I cannot recommend you to remove/put them back by yourself. I put the side molding myself and it was not easy as it sounds. This began when the dealer wanted to charge me $190 just to install them.
I used fishing line to remove the moldings. Then use cleaner wax to remove the glue residue. Wash the area where the molding will be with dish soap to remove the wax. You have to remove the glue/double sided tape from the moldings too. I found a normal molding tape that you can buy from walmart are not good enough (they came off after few rains). Use 3M molding tapes (heavy duty tapes, do NOT use the normal 3M molding tapes), they are a little bit pricey (around $6 per roll and you might need at least 3 rolls).

They did give the the measurement point but to install them straight, you need to take your time.
It took me 3 trials to get them right. First, you must have a level ground.
Then, measure the location on the door where you want them to be. If the ground is not level, you might end up 1 side molding to sit a little bit higher or lower from the other side.
After that, use the laser level stuff to make sure you put it straight.
You might need extra helper to hold the laser thing while you put the moldings on. And those moldings are NOT straight, you might need to adjust it a little bit.

It cost me close to $100 (for all the 10 rolls of tapes, laser leveling kit, cleaner wax and of course few bottles of beer) and a weekend. But if you have the right tools, it might take you less than 15 minutes to do it (not including your beer time though).

[PRNDL]

Here's a pic of my 2011 with the side moldings....and they are horizontal to the road. I would go back to the dealer and have them make it right.

[njerald]

Crooked or straight, they are ugly and make the car look like a Corolla or Sonata..

[MJZ]

Originally Posted by njerald

Crooked or straight, they are ugly and make the car look like a Corilla or Sonata..

They are extremely ugly but I don't think they make it look like anything, even Mercedes Benzes seem to all have these, which completely kills the looks of the car.

I would rather pay for a new door if someone damages it than drive around with body side moldings.

[Pawel062]

only way they would look good is on bottom of door like lexus has.

[Netforcer]

Originally Posted by michaelkingdom

Hi all,

I recently bought an '11 Camry and I wanted the door guards to avoid parking lot rash. The dealer installed them and they look OKAY but tilt upward at an awkward angle. I don't think anyone but me would notice it. However, I am not happy with it. All other cars on the road have guards that are basically horizontal to the road and mine veer up at a weird slant.

1. Should the dealer replace them the way I would like? I didn't think this would need to be negotiated beforehand!

2.If I do it myself, any tips on removal/doublesided tape to put them back on?

Michael

Don't listen to the other ppl... No pics needed... Why mess with a new car yourself?? Take it to the dealer and have them fix it... Better than trying by yourself, screwing it up, and have it rejected by the dealer.

Originally Posted by Pawel062

only way they would look good is on bottom of door like lexus has.

I think they're more accents than BSM

[MJZ]

Originally Posted by Pawel062

only way they would look good is on bottom of door like lexus has.

Agreed, but they are also awesome looking chrome and shaped to match the car... not like a piece of round plastic that doesn't really even flow from one door to the next.

[Pawel062]

true. my dad wants to make a custom set for his camry.