Repair Car Body Side Molding

What is Car Body Side Molding?

Car body side molding is a type of trim that is attached to the side of a car’s body. It is typically made of plastic or rubber and is designed to protect the car’s paint from scratches and dings. Side molding can also help to improve the appearance of a car by adding a touch of style.

How to Repair Car Body Side Molding

If your car’s side molding has been damaged, you can repair it yourself with a few simple tools and materials. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to repair car body side molding:

1. Gather your materials.

You will need the following materials to repair car body side molding:

1. A clean cloth
2. A mild detergent
3. A bucket of water
4. A sponge
5. A heat gun or hair dryer
6. A putty knife
7. Automotive body filler
8. Sandpaper
9. Primer
10. Automotive paint

2. Clean the damaged area.

Use a clean cloth and a mild detergent to clean the damaged area. Rinse the area thoroughly with water and dry it with a clean cloth.

3. Remove the damaged molding.

Use a heat gun or hair dryer to heat up the damaged molding. This will soften the adhesive and make it easier to remove. Use a putty knife to carefully pry the molding off of the car’s body.

4. Prepare the damaged area.

Use a putty knife to remove any remaining adhesive from the damaged area. Sand the area smooth with sandpaper.

5. Apply body filler.

Use a putty knife to apply automotive body filler to the damaged area. Smooth the body filler out with a putty knife.

6. Sand the body filler.

Once the body filler has dried, sand it smooth with sandpaper. Start with a coarse grit sandpaper and work your way up to a fine grit sandpaper.

7. Prime the damaged area.

Apply primer to the damaged area. Primer will help to protect the body filler from moisture and corrosion. Allow the primer to dry completely.

8. Paint the damaged area.

Apply automotive paint to the damaged area. Use several thin coats of paint, allowing each coat to dry completely before applying the next. Once the paint has dried, you can reattach the side molding.

Tips for Repairing Car Body Side Molding

Here are a few tips for repairing car body side molding:

1. Use a heat gun or hair dryer to soften the adhesive when removing the damaged molding. This will make it easier to remove without damaging the car’s paint.
2. Be careful not to sand too much of the body filler away. If you sand too much, you will need to apply more body filler and sand it smooth again.
3. Allow each coat of primer and paint to dry completely before applying the next coat. This will help to ensure that the paint job is durable.

Conclusion

Repairing car body side molding is a relatively simple process that can be completed in a few hours. By following the steps outlined in this guide, you can save yourself the cost of having a professional repair the damage.