Side molding, keep it or ditch it?

[scd88ga]

I've been contemplating this for a while now about either removing my side molding completely or getting it repainted (it's a little faded). I know it protects from door dings, and I know once I remove it, it can't be put back on and still look good! Any opinions? I photoshopped a pic with them removed for comparison.

[90GTZHO]

Without FTW!!! I took them off my car, best thing i ever did

[SummitBalt08]

When I see no strip down the side of any car it just makes it seem more like a base model to me. It was an option to get it on the Cobalt. My Z will be keeping it on lol. The Z I'm looking at getting will be keeping it also.

[scd88ga]

Well, just like I had feared, the front of my car had been repainted years ago before I bought it and now the short front fender side molding pieces will have paint lines around them! DOH! I already reattached the piece btw... Looks like they are staying and getting repainted! lol

[heavywoody]

If you take them off, you'll be in the "Custom Exterior" classification in the BFest show...

[DTMAce]

I still am glad I lost mine. I like the cleaner look it gave me.

[90GTZHO]

If you take them off, you'll be in the "Custom Exterior" classification in the BFest show...

Geoff, i thought at Bfest this year we all discussed that removing the side molding still left you in the stock exterior category? I could have sworn thats what we voted on???

[heavywoody]

No, the Euro tails were decided to be added to the stock exterior.

Removed door moldings were not removed from stock exterior. Which I think is kinda silly; the things are molded in color, so if they fade, you have to repaint them, which is also silly, since they would have to be painted on the car... I could go on and on but I digress.

[woody90gtz]

Look at my sig and you'll see my vote.

[scd88ga]

Well, my trim is staying for now no matter what until I get the front end and roof (has light hail damage and a couple scuffs) repainted anyway, which won't be any time soon!

[DTMAce]

If you take them off, you'll be in the "Custom Exterior" classification in the BFest show...

Geoff, i thought at Bfest this year we all discussed that removing the side molding still left you in the stock exterior category? I could have sworn thats what we voted on???

I also thought this was the case. Some of the frivolous stuff like that... Cause if that is the only thing you change, and you get put into the non-stock exterior class, you get whupped by those who really have some work done to the exterior. I remember we discussed things like exterior lighting too. Ah well.

May need to get the meeting notes and review... haha

[3X00-Modified]

I pulled mine since the hood and Z gfx already put me in the custom exterior category

As far as the moldings getting pulled, I guess the idea is we don't want someone looking at a car and seeing how clean and nice it looks due to those being off, and then the car that is perfect exterior wise and stock doesn't get votes for the dislike of the side moldings... Its the same idea for those competing with the moldings... it does give a nice sleek clean look so they can look at it as being whooped by someone thats out of category...

This is a very hard thing to organize since our cars are getting thinner and thinner and the group is starting to be a repetitive group. There is nothing wrong with that but it definitely cuts down on who can be voted for on certain things and who continuously wins.

For instance, I've received a "best of" award and I will not take another for that exact reason. I do not think it is fair to win again after winning once. That opportunity should be left for others out there. I try to vote for a different car each year, at least different than the last winners.

This is one reason why I do not like the lowest mile award... If the car turnout does not change often enough then the odds of someone else getting that award is slim and none.

We might have to trim back on some categories soon and start to add some different ones like best paint, best single interior mod, and so on... I'm sure we could come up with some other interesting categories that would allow those who have only done minimal things, but pushed into modified category, still get an award.

[woody90gtz]

Best "SS" would be a good one.

[heavywoody]

Best "SS" would actually have to show up to the national event...

[DTMAce]

Ouch!

lol