Door molding....

[JohnnyApplespeed]

Here's the Dawn Enterprises door molding in Cactus Gray. The color match is perfect and I think it looks pretty decent. However, if you look closely you'll discover that I'm a bumbling idiot. If you install these, read the labels and make sure you put the driver's side front piece on the.... wait for it.... DRIVER'S SIDE! Sometimes I literally hate myself.

Here's why it matters (notice the direction of the angle with respect to the edge of door):

Anyway, let my carelessness be a warning to the next person installing these parts.

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[JohnnyApplespeed]

 

[Braderick]

I like the leading angle better the way you installed it.

 

[Skyline]

Anyway, let my carelessness be a warning to the next person installing these parts.

Thx for the heads up and just like @Braderick, I also like it on this way better....

Mine is coming sometimes next week and did read the instruction, that calls for placing the molding 15" from the cladding for the front door. I did some check for placement with the level:

It seems that the the widest point from the door is roughly ~16.5 - 17" from the cladding, but will recheck when it arrives. Did you check the height for yours?

Also wondered why there's a 3/4" difference for molding placement between the front and back door. Based on your installation, looks good and in level, it's probably for keeping the molding in level...

 

[JohnnyApplespeed]

@Skyline - Good idea with using a level to find the height that sticks furthest out. I think the reason for the 3/4" difference is that the body lines aren't parallel, and the extra 3/4" splits the difference between the angles. Just spit-balling it with that theory.

I went with their recommended placement as precisely as I could using masking tape. I first tacked it up with tape just to make sure I liked the look of it. Then, like any true genius would, I shuffled the front pieces and installed them incorrectly. So that was a stroke of brilliance I'm particularly proud of. Just wait for my next trick!

 

[Skyline]

I went with their recommended placement as precisely as I could using masking tape. I first tacked it up with tape just to make sure I liked the look of it. Then, like any true genius would, I shuffled the front pieces and installed them incorrectly. So that was a stroke of brilliance I'm particularly proud of. Just wait for my next trick!

You should be proud of it, it looks just fine for me. Looking forward to your next trick...

Thanks for the new pic, gave me some idea for laying out the masking tape...

 

[Edge Haley]

Have the Dawn strips installed for a year after getting 2 significant dings from others opening doors against my drivers side door. Location of the strips was easy for me. I already had 2 door dings. I used a small black marker to make a dot above each end of the strips chosen location. The above picture is where they should be if you want to protect from door dings. My strips also covered my already dinged door dings. Word of caution, mark carefully and when installing you only get ONE chance..where you first stick the strips is where they will immediately stick...powerful adhesive. If you have to take them off, about the only way is use of dental floss, sawing the adhesive off. They look really good and if put in the right place will protect the doors...I basically put them where Dawn suggested and it's where door dings occur...putting them down low or high would not protect your doors.

I tested before installing...parked a CRV next to Mav and open door and its doors lined up perfectly with where my CRV door touched the Maverick door.

 

[cyberdog]

The sad reality is the height needed, may be more dependent on who parks next to you, than the same of our doors. If it's a jacked up F150, Bronco, or some other higher sitting vehicle, the impact point is going to be higher up the door. If it's a low slung sedan, wagon, or coupe, the impact point will be lower. - Of course the highest volume vehicle are the huge behemoths that dwarf our Mavericks, in which case higher is most likely going to help more.

I like that their instructions place the back slightly higher than the front, angling the molding a bit, which seems to look better, with the factor rake of the truck. I installed mine maybe 1/2 inch higher than they suggested both front & back. Looks good, and hopefully protects the door, should somebody park close and not pay attention. (I usually park out a bit, and then try and park along a island curb, to at least protect one side of the vehicle, and walk the extra distance for additional daily steps).

 

[Skyline]

The sad reality is the height needed, may be more dependent on who parks next to you, than the same of our doors.

Not to mention the shape of the doors slamming on your Maverick's door, especially the passenger cars rear doors...

The reason why I checked the highest point (where the molding should go) of the door to see, if the install manual is correct. My initial, rough measurement seems to differ from the installation manual. In my view, the mold should be at the highest point of the door; anything less reduces the effectiveness of the rather thin molding.

I did get the molding, but in the wrong color, NE instead of JS. Yet another week or two waiting for it, argh....

 

[Skyline]

It's not like we didn't do that once or twice in our driving history, at one point or another...

He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone....

John 8:7

 

[Deleted member 7089]

So I guess their lower profile one is close to useless then? Too bad, because I kind of like the look better than in the middle. Wish we had more options.

 

[Skyline]

So I guess their lower profile one is close to useless then? Too bad, because I kind of like the look better than in the middle.

Nice set of wheels and yes, the molding does look better installing it low. It's effectiveness may not match the high install, depending on the molding's thickness, but should work. except in the case of rear door on the vehicles, like my other car the Toyota Avalon:

Full disclose: That rear door probably would miss the molding installed high on the Maverick....

 

[Ponchsox]

True. I always park far out in a parking lot or and end spot whenever possible. If and when I get a door ding, I’ll take it to my PDR guy. He can remove a dent from anywhere.

 

[Deleted member 7089]

If and when I get a door ding, I’ll take it to my PDR guy. He can remove a dent from anywhere.

PDR?

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