----- Original Message -----
Sent: Tuesday, April 27, 2004 1:55
AM
Subject: IML: door edge guards
The stainless steel door edge guards that many used for factory
equipment have their plusses, but they can also tend to scrape the paint
when they are installed. The scrapes will be hidden under the guards,
but it's still bare metal without the protection of the paint. This
makes having guards that are not or have not been bent in directions they
were not originally configured in very important. Even so, it's very
probable that some paint will be scraped on the inner lip of the door skin
as they must fit tight to stay put. If the build thickness on the
primer/paint finish now on the vehicle is much more than what it might have
been originally, the possibility that paint will be scraped definitely
increases.
In some respects, they are good to have. In other respects, they
can cause more problems than they are worth. Much easier to use some
touch up paint on the door edges as needed.
It's admirable to reinstall them as they might have been or were
factory original on the vehicle, but if it ever gets down to "Why not", just
reply that you chose not to reinstall them. After all, it's a
relatively easy thing to do for someone so motivated--just get out the
rubber mallet, line things up carefully, and lightly pound/tap away.
Final decision rests with the vehicle's owner.
Just some thoughts,
W Bell