Need opinions from fellow Max owners.

[MinisterofDOOM]

I recently lost the strip of rubber door molding on my passenger side rear door. It was sagging and I was stupid and didn't fix it in time--freeway speeds probably finished it off.

I'm now trying to decide between a few different options.

One option is obviously to replace that strip. I've re-hung another of the strips and aside from the massively time consuming adhesive removal, it's about as easy as automotive work gets. The only issue is paint matching, which is still not a big deal.

However:I've never liked the look of rubber door molding on any car. It looks "economy" to me. I would really like to get rid of it or at least reduce the visual impact of it.So I am considering the following options:

Find a different style of molding to replace the stock stuff with (either via aftermarket or simply from another model of car).

Remove all the stripping and leave the doors bare (Might look good, might look horrible. Unfortunately the molding on the 3rd gen sits in a recess so even with the rubber strip gone there's still the indentation.)

And the option I'd prefer to do but likely can't afford right now:Have a body shop remove the recesses beneath the molding and then paint over it for a totally smooth door. This is something I've wanted to do for a long time. I've seen one picture of a 3rd gen with this done and it looked amazing--has a huge impact on the car.

The 6th gen Maxima has EXACTLY the same length front door molding strips--but they're too narrow. However, they are lower profile than the stock 3rd gen ones and something similar would be an upgrade in my eyes.

Any thoughts or suggestions?Sources of aftermarket door molding or models that might provide alternatives to the stock look?

[jltibbs]

i say go back with stock moldings. just my opinion.

[Presscott707]

i say go back with stock moldings. just my opinion.

Yeah id go with jltibbs on this stock looks good.

[lightsout]

-buy a book on how to weld-cut the sheet metal yourself-buy or rent a welder-weld it in yourself(on the proper voltage setting to avoid distorting the door panel)-puddy it over with the pepboys puddy kit-sand it, guide coat it, sand it again with 400grit, then finish sand with 1000 grit.-prime it with epoxy primer from your local auto paint store(they should have epoxy primer or puddy sealer in a rattle can, if you dont own a 2 stage trigger paint gun)-then take the car to a reputable body shop, and have them shoot the doors, and make sure they fade the new paint into the front fenders, and rear quarter panel!!

that's what i'd do, but that's just me. I like to do a mod, and when people ask they are usually surprised when i say, "i did it myself", and i love that feeling!!!!!!

around with that idea, or just put the stock one back in and do this when u save up the $

Devin aka: