How To- Side Moldings Removel and Reinstall
Its my first How-To, so for it might not be the greatest at first, but I'll add to it, where I see it needs it...
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You will need:
(1) Ford Focus. Any year, model or color will do...
Fishing line. Or Dental floss, but that seems to break more...
A set of side moldings to install, if your replacing the moldings.
(2) Packages of 6ftx1/2" 3M Ext Autobody Doublesided tape
(2) Packages of 6ftx1/4" 3M Ext Autobody Doublesided tape
Some type of adhesion promoter
Some type of adhesive remover
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Even tho the Kona side moldings are wonderful and all, I much prefer the SVT moldings. They clean the car up so much on the side. So I'll be installing painted side moldings in place of my Kona moldings...
Since the 00-04, have alignment pegs, and the moldings I'm using are off an 05' car I painted, there are no pegs. So if your installing moldings off a 00-04, to a 05-07, you will need to cut the pegs off the back of the moldings. I don't recommend drilling holes in the door just for the pegs...
Alright, start with your car, open the door, and start removing the moldings. I've found the best method of doing this is using that fishing line or dental floss, and slowly "cutting" thru the double sided tape. This is similar to removing the rear badging on our cars. If you have a 00-04 Focus, you will need to be careful, as there are pegs on the back of the molding. If you get crazy with it, you will cut right thru the pegs. These pegs are for alignment of installing the moldings. 05-07 do not have pegs on the molding or holes in the door. So you can go right thru without worrying about cutting the pegs. Refer to pics to see where the pegs are at...
After we get both moldings off the car. We need to remove ALL of the left over tape that is on the paint now. There are several methods to removing this stuff. 3M makes a wonderful little rubber wheel, or you can pick it off with your fingers. There are a few other methods as well. Pretty much, anything will do, just as along as you don't ruin the paint on the door. Once all the tape is gone, clean it up real good using a paint prep or adhesion promoter...
Next we need to do the same with the moldings. This will be just as fun. We need ALL the tape off the moldings. You can typically use the same method you used on the doors to get the tape off the moldings.
If your installing new moldings or pre-prepped moldings, you won't need to remove the old tape, unless, of course, there is old tape on there. Then remove if there is...
Now that the tape is clean off the moldings, once again use your adhesion promotor or any sort of paint prep, and clean the back surface of the moldings, where the tape will be going. Once clean, pull out the 3M tape, and start rolling it onto the moldings. I use the 1/2" on the top of the moldings, and the 1/4", on the bottom. That seems to stick better then the two really thin strips that come factory...
After you have both moldings retaped, its pretty simple to align the holes and pull the tape backing off. If you have a 05 or newwer, I'd suggest starting to the edge of the door, and working your way towards the fender. That way you get it the leading edge of the molding aligned, then the rest will follow towards the fender. There is a groove the top of the molding will fit into on the door as well, that will help align the proper height.
Do the same for the rear. Take note on how the other side of the car looks, and do the same steps for the front door, for the rear molding. Starting towards the front of the molding, and working your way towards the rear. Using that same groove to align the height.
Once both are on, use a towel and your hand to push on the moldings to get them tight and firm on the car. Don't use alot of pressure, the Focus door skins are not that tough, and you can easy dent or crease the door using alot of pressue.
Once you've got both on, stand back and enjoy your new moldings...
Before...
After...
