What is molding and what is the best way to glue it, the best brands
Content
To improve their cars, their owners use different methods. Changes are subject to both technical characteristics and appearance. To improve the latter, a molding is applied to the car.
To improve their cars, their owners use different methods. Changes are subject to both technical characteristics and appearance. To improve the latter, a molding is applied to the car.
What is molding
Externally, a molding for a car is a long, narrow bar made of plastic or metal. It can be rubberized for cushioning. From a functional point of view, it is a sealant. The slats are installed on different parts of the car: windshield, rear, door glass, as well as on the roof, bumpers, wheel arch extensions.
What is molding
The molding on the car performs one or more functions:
- decor;
- drainage system;
- depreciation.
On new machines, the slats are installed at the bottom of the doors by the manufacturer. They protect the body from minor damage: accidental hits by stones, well-packed mud, other machines. An example would be a situation in a tight parking lot when someone opens the door and hits a nearby vehicle with it.
The casing hides defects: scratches, small dents. Fender and bumper covers protect their paintwork from dirt and rocks. Also, molding for cars creates the appearance of a smooth transition between parts of the body, for example, from glass to frame. On the roof, a seal protects the passenger compartment from rainwater. Glass seals prevent the ingress of moisture and dust.
Types and types of molding
Decorative elements can be cast, that is, installed at the factory during the manufacture of the machine or glasses for it, and universal. The latter fit almost any car in 70% of cases. A universal molding can be installed on the car, even if it was not originally there. The downside is that such a skin does not fit snugly to the body. This calls into question the ability of the sealant to protect the paintwork and interior.
Cast slats are the most reliable. They are firmly connected to the machine body, so the hidden areas are protected from moisture and corrosion. Some manufacturers make auto glass soldered to the molding.
molding types
Roof and glass seals are almost always equipped with a water drain channel. Decorative strips for different parts of the body are not much different from each other. Glass molding on the car has a more extensive classification. Planks vary in coverage area:
- Separate - cover only one side of the glass: from the side, from below or from above. Good examples of cars where they are used: Honda Accord 8, Mercedes W-463, Volkswagen Passat B-5, Skoda Octavia.
- Three-sided - mounted on the top and side parts. They are needed when the bottom is already sealed by the machine manufacturers. This trim is used on all cars of the previous group, including the Skoda brand.
- Four-sided - cover the entire perimeter. Examples: Audi -80, Daewoo Matiz.
Also, a universal molding for cars on glass can be laid on and semi-hidden. In the first case, it is only hooked to the frame. In the second - also behind the glass. Semi-hidden seals visually smooth out the corners that form the gap. Overhead - just hide them.
There are different colors, but the most commonly used are black, blue, beige, white. Usually, a sealant is selected to match the color of the car or in contrast to it.
What is the best way to glue the molding
Before attaching the seal, you need to clean, wash and degrease the surface of the car. Areas with traces of rust and peeling paintwork should be touched up and varnished. Then you can start installation. To make the result look like a photo of a molding on a car from the network, you need to use one of the following tools.
Cyanoacrylic adhesive
This type of composition is considered a reliable installation tool. When working with cyanoacrylate glue, care must be taken so that it does not spill onto other areas of the machine.
Cyanoacrylic molding adhesive
Otherwise, you will have to look for a means to remove it or contact a car repair shop. Other types of adhesive for fixing the seal are not suitable.
Liquid nails and sealant
These effective tools have one significant disadvantage: after installation, it is necessary to ensure that the seal fits tightly to the car for at least 12 hours. In the case of sealant, masking tape will help. When landing on liquid nails, you need to press harder. You will have to come up with some kind of devices that can hold the decorative or protective molding on the car for a long time in a stationary position.
Double-sided tape
The main advantage of this material is that it glues the entire perimeter. No gaps are formed between the seal and the body, which provides reliable protection against moisture and corrosion. The best double-sided tape for moldings, according to car owners, is 3M.
For reliable installation, it is necessary that the ambient temperature be at least 20 0C. In cold weather, heat the area to be treated with a hair dryer. At the end of the work, you can temporarily fix the sheathing with masking tape.
Top Marks
The best molding is the one made by the car manufacturers. If you need to replace the trim, it is better to buy this part of the same brand as the car. Universal moldings, each made in its own way, may not always come into contact with the body.
The best brands of molding
Seals differ from each other by names consisting of numbers and capital letters that are not remembered. There are a lot of manufacturers of such goods, and it is difficult to single them out according to any criteria.
It is much more important to know what material the car molding is made of. Each of them has its pros and cons:
- Plastic is ideal for decoration, as it is easy to repaint. Disadvantage: most susceptible to mechanical damage.
- Rubber - pressed as tightly as possible to the body or glass, which allows you to stick such a molding on the car better. You can draw a picture on it if you wish. But rubber is short-lived and sensitive to temperature changes.
- Chrome plated steel is strong and durable. The downside is that this material is prone to corrosion. It is necessary to stick, providing a very tight fit around the entire perimeter to avoid the formation of rust.
In order for the molding on the car not only to look beautiful, but also to protect it from moisture, you need to securely fix it. To do this, it is important to use a high-quality adhesive and not the cheapest sealant. If installed correctly, the new thing will last a long time.
