Kelleytoons Posted September 5, 2014 Report Share Posted September 5, 2014 (edited) I kind of let myself be talked into ordering body trim based on a couple of the topics posted here but today, after a visit to my supermarket, I started looking around and realized that NONE of the new cars (or really, any car made in the last five years or so) has trim on them. And it looks very clean, very nice. None of the cars (out of a sample size of around three or four dozen) had any dings or dents in them either, so perhaps it's an area thing (which is to say I live in an area with mostly old folks who take care of their things) but I'm starting to think it was a mistake to get panels that might not ever be needed. Yes, anything can (and will, sometimes) happen, but as Rick posted here even with these moldings you can get serious problems (and on other forums folks pointed out that moldings on cars are seldom at the right height to protect against SUV and sports car dings). I suppose I can return these for at least a partial refund, or just keep them a while until I decide, but I wondered if those of you who have added the trim *a while ago* (not recently) are still happy with it? The other issue I've noted on other forums is that these plastic pieces tend to fade and get beaten up down the road, four or five years from now, and since I'll be keeping Maximis for at least that long I don't want it to look tacky (and removing them isn't easy, I'm told). Edited September 5, 2014 by Kelleytoons Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ScubaDadMiami Posted September 5, 2014 Report Share Posted September 5, 2014 I have all of the same concerns that you express. Yes, those things can dry out and oxidize, which makes the car look older. I decided that I am just going to take my car to a body shop for occasional touch ups and dings. Also, I chose a color without the tricoat paint, so that little fixes will not cost much, and so that the repairs match up well with the vehicle paint. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kelleytoons Posted September 5, 2014 Author Report Share Posted September 5, 2014 Yeah, and we both live in Florida where sun can be an issue (although Maximis stays in the garage the majority of the time). Ah, well, I'll see if I can return these things (when they get here). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mtb9153 Posted September 5, 2014 Report Share Posted September 5, 2014 Matter of preference I guess, I think the molding has enhanced the looks of Maxus. I've taken hits on all four corners mostly brought on by my own driving errors. If this will help keep the sides straight? Then it was worth it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mtb9153 Posted September 5, 2014 Report Share Posted September 5, 2014 Removal of the moldings isn't a big deal. I've worked enough with the 3M adhesive strips which came with them on the backside to know that simply applying a hair dryer or heat gun over the length of the moldings, will allow them to soften the adhesive so they can be removed. Not much different than debadging the factory logo's. Mounted with the same stuff Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kelleytoons Posted September 5, 2014 Author Report Share Posted September 5, 2014 After you do that is there any residue and, if so, how is that removed? And wouldn't the paint fade so that underneath wouldn't match four or five years down the road? I thought that was what some folks said about debadging, that you needed to do it before the fading set in. Again, I intend to keep this at least 8-10 years and fading ought to happen over that period of time, right? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mtb9153 Posted September 5, 2014 Report Share Posted September 5, 2014 (edited) Well that might be true especially in severe heat zones like the deep south. I hadn't considered that point since it is not a concern for me here on the west coast. As for residue it can be removed with 3M adhesive remover or goop off or what ever that stuff is called. I've used both extensively with excellent results using a soft cloth Edited September 5, 2014 by mtb9153 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RockwallRick Posted September 6, 2014 Report Share Posted September 6, 2014 To each his own, I've already told my story about the "Mother" of ALL door dings!!! :lol: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kelleytoons Posted September 6, 2014 Author Report Share Posted September 6, 2014 Yeah, and that was part of my decision not to want these. It's not just that folks can and will do almost anything, it's that vehicles (and things that go near cars) tend NOT to just happen to line up properly. I'll just have to see how much money (if any) I can get back (if not, I'll have a good deal for someone with an Ice Storm <g>). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RockwallRick Posted September 7, 2014 Report Share Posted September 7, 2014 It's just a matter of personal preference, I like the clean body look myself! I would remove the badges as well, if my Wife would let me! Customizingmy Truck has become a hobby for me. I have a "major" bumper ding on it, thanks to my Wife!! I am going to remove the bumper and replace it witha roll pan. This will give me that new Truck feeling all over again! :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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