Need some experienced opinions about side molding coming loose...

754 Views 22 Replies 21 Participants Last post by Bob Roberts, Feb 14, 2002

Snelski

Discussion Starter · Feb 13, 2002

Well, I have this problem with the side molding on my 95 Jetta GLS - the drivers side came off alltogether and the 2 passenger doors are working on it. I tried the side molding tape they sell for automotive side molding and that just doesn't cut it - the very next day it starts peeling off and I can't get the stupid things to stay stuck to the door.
Is there a better way, and if so what, to keep the side molding on the doors? The dealer is of no help and the body shop also used the same type of molding tape with the same result - it came loose the next day too.
Help me out here, there has to be a better way for the molding to stay on there - I'm tired of dealing with this molding coming off and making my ride look like dirt.
Thanks for the help and please let me know if you tried the suggestion you're making out yourself and if it was successful.

1 - 20 of 23 Posts

digit21

· #2 · Feb 13, 2002

Re: Need some experienced opinions about side molding coming loose... (Snelski)

i have had good luck with two part epoxy.
make sure the parts are very clean before gluing them.
hold them in place temporarily with electrical tape or masking tape.
good luck!

A.C.

· #3 · Feb 13, 2002

Re: Need some experienced opinions about side molding coming loose... (digit21)

Yeah me too

. It's getting to be a pain on the rear left door molding. I guess I need to slow down, huh...... NOT

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TigerII

· #4 · Feb 13, 2002

Re: Need some experienced opinions about side molding coming loose... (A.C.)

I use to have this problem all the time and I would use double sided tape to fix the molding but this only lasted 3 months at a time.
I then used silicon under the molding and I have never had the molding come loose again. By the way, I put in the Silicone a year and a half ago. It works like a charm, even in the super hot So. Cal weather!

hkk735

· #5 · Feb 13, 2002

Re: Need some experienced opinions about side molding coming loose... (TigerII)

yup- i had the same problem- so i said screw it and shaved all the molding right off- no way its coming off now

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wrdvento

· #6 · Feb 13, 2002

Re: Need some experienced opinions about side molding coming loose... (hkk735)

Try 3M double sided tape, it will work

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Beefy Chunks

· #7 · Feb 13, 2002

Re: Need some experienced opinions about side molding coming loose... (Snelski)

I used the 3M double-sided molding tape. It's been on the car through 2 1/2 Chicago winters without peeling. You have to make sure you clean both surfaces very well using rubbing alcohol, and let it dry completely before putting on the tape. It also helps if the parts are warm, don't do the job outside when it's cold.

Snelski

Discussion Starter · #8 · Feb 13, 2002

Re: Need some experienced opinions about side molding coming loose... (Beefy Chunks)

Thanks for all the suggestions, I appreciate it

I'll check into the 3M stuff, I've always liked their products. I've just never had these problems before until I got these Mk3s, and looking at the responses this seems to be a frequent issue with a lot of you. Looks like I'll get this problem under control now though, either 3M or the epoxy way - thanks to all for responding and have a great day!!!

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MAC

· #9 · Feb 13, 2002

Re: Need some experienced opinions about side molding coming loose... (Snelski)

you have to get the 3M PROFESSIONAL double sided tape at an auto body supply shop... you'll pay dearly for it.... Like $50 a roll.

But it works...

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GattoDiavolo

· #10 · Feb 13, 2002

Re: Need some experienced opinions about side molding coming loose... (Snelski)

My dealer used that black epoxy they use on the windshield...taped it with masking tape for 24 hours, and now, 5 months later, it hasn't budged.

kevwithoutacorrado

· #11 · Feb 13, 2002

Re: Need some experienced opinions about side molding coming loose... (GattoDiavolo)

use the real 3m tape made for the job. not just any dual sided tape will work. mine has been one for about a year now, and its not even loose.
kevin

redstar

· #12 · Feb 13, 2002

Re: Need some experienced opinions about side molding coming loose... (Snelski)

i used 3m emblem glue. kinda a clear cement stuff. just pulled back the molding a little and cleaned the area pretty good, then glopped out the stuff....press and hold for a few minutes till it sets. worked really well until the temp got down to @ 15 degrees...then i had a few places come loose again.

Snelski

Discussion Starter · #13 · Feb 13, 2002

Re: Need some experienced opinions about side molding coming loose... (brutefungus)

You'd think they would've come up with something that worked better from the factory you know? The dealers don't even carry anything that could work, they just point ya to the bodyshop for tape. Volkswagen is missing the boat on getting some profit on good molding tape I tell ya!!!
I think I'll try epoxy - if the body was in excellent shape I'd go for the good stuff (3M tape), but right now I'm just looking to stop it from getting loose all the time. I still think that was a design flaw on their part, there's no reason for so many people having issues with this. For one thing the molding is way too heavy for the doors and there is not enough surface in the door to hold onto.

late_apex

· #14 · Feb 13, 2002

Re: Need some experienced opinions about side molding coming loose... (Snelski)

They used to clip on, now they just glue on for cost effectiveness.

My drivers door is doing the same thing, I'm going for the double sided tape until I get my other moldings. The good black pebbly kind.

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Krass

· #15 · Feb 13, 2002

Re: Need some experienced opinions about side molding coming loose... (Snelski)

Talk about SUX, one day I just looked and it was gone. I drove around and looked, and nothing. I wonder if someone stole it

Quite annoying I tell you

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idsignm

· #16 · Feb 14, 2002

Re: Need some experienced opinions about side molding coming loose... (Snelski)

VW engineers deserve to be hecked for this design mistake. The best solution I have come up with is to take the moulding off the car, before it starts to sag and bag. You will have problems with the moulding if it has started to sag. Try to bend it back into place with some books or wieghts or whatever for a few days if it has bent over. Carefully strip the crappy VW tape off with a razor blade. Go to Home Depot or whatever and buy this sealant called PL. PL has a guarenteed bond of 50 years. Any color will do. Apply 2 beads down the strip. Keep them towards the center, so that excess caulk does not ooze out when you are reinstalling it. Use some 2" masking tape and tape the heck out of the strip and let it cure for 24 hrs or so. I tried the double stick tapes. The don't work here in Colorado. The hot sun and calcium chloride eat right through it. A VW dealer shop gave me this tip. It's what they use on cars that come in. Hope this helps.

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rtmeikle

· #17 · Feb 14, 2002

Re: Need some experienced opinions about side molding coming loose... (idsignm)

3M tape will work in CO too, it works here in UT, not any difference. Just do it right. I did mine about 2 yrs ago, it worked the first time perfectly, and I park outside.
1) remove molding
2) use 3M General Purpose Adhesive Cleaner to get both the door and the molding 100% perfectly clean. The door is easy, the molding is harder, you may need to soak it and use a blade.
3) use alcohol to remove any residue, oil, etc. from both surfaces.
4) run 2 strips of 3M tape down the edges of the molding
5) stick it on, apply pressure, and you're good to go. I did mine in the summer, so warm temperatures may be important, I'm not sure.
Do it like this, do it VERY well the first time, and you won't have to do it again.
ROB

BiH

· #18 · Feb 14, 2002

Re: Need some experienced opinions about side molding coming loose... (rtmeikle)

I used to have the same problem too, I used 3M double sided tape. Put it on last summer and it started to fall off again last month. So as off today I have clip on moldings, no need to worry about them anymore. potterman has them, but they will deff. cost you.

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Chrismilli

· #19 · Feb 14, 2002

Re: Need some experienced opinions about side molding coming loose... (BiH)

two part epoxy is rock solid on my passenger door.
Chris

beryl912

· #20 · Feb 14, 2002

Re: Need some experienced opinions about side molding coming loose... (Chrismilli)

epoxy, it fixes anything, lasts forever and its cheep!!

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