Body Molding Trim Kits?

graysky · Post by **graysky** » Mon Sep 05, 2011 3:29 pm

Hope this is the correct forum and that this isn't too stupid of a question, but I see a couple of places online selling Body Molding Trim Kits and they offer both a chrome and a stainless steel set. What are the advantages and disadvantages of either? Is there a consensus on which type is preferable? Thanks for any input.

fatalifeaten · Post by **fatalifeaten** » Mon Sep 05, 2011 10:42 pm

Most of the ones I've seen are either Aluminum or Stainless, not chrome.

I guess it depends on whether you're looking for a 100% correct finish or whether you're looking for a specific look. If memory serves, stainless would be original.

branston · Post by **branston** » Fri Sep 09, 2011 7:00 pm

fatalifeaten wrote:Most of the ones I've seen are either Aluminum or Stainless, not chrome.

I guess it depends on whether you're looking for a 100% correct finish or whether you're looking for a specific look. If memory serves, stainless would be original.

The original VW moldings are anodized aluminum and don't polish up easily when they old are tarnished. I've tried to polish them without much success I decided to use stainless steel ones from Wolfburgwest on my restoration.

They look the same, the fit is not as good as OG VW (but then nothing is). They are almost indistinguishable from the anodized ones and checking in VW's inventory in Germany they only sell reproduction ones now.

graysky · Post by **graysky** » Mon Sep 12, 2011 11:25 pm

fatalifeaten wrote:Most of the ones I've seen are either Aluminum or Stainless, not chrome.

I guess it depends on whether you're looking for a 100% correct finish or whether you're looking for a specific look. If memory serves, stainless would be original.

Not sure why I wrote "chrome" I did mean aluminum

graysky · Post by **graysky** » Mon Sep 12, 2011 11:26 pm

branston wrote:
fatalifeaten wrote:Most of the ones I've seen are either Aluminum or Stainless, not chrome.

I guess it depends on whether you're looking for a 100% correct finish or whether you're looking for a specific look. If memory serves, stainless would be original.
The original VW moldings are anodized aluminum and don't polish up easily when they old are tarnished. I've tried to polish them without much success I decided to use stainless steel ones from Wolfburgwest on my restoration.

They look the same, the fit is not as good as OG VW (but then nothing is). They are almost indistinguishable from the anodized ones and checking in VW's inventory in Germany they only sell reproduction ones now.

Thanks for the input. I've decided to go with the stainless as well.

Blue Baron · Post by **Blue Baron** » Wed Nov 16, 2011 11:28 pm

The originals were anodized aluminum, but no reproduction is nearly the same quality. The stainless steel moldings are beautiful, and are actually better quality than the originals. On an economy car like the bug, stainless molding would have been a budget buster (though they did have stainless door and hood handles in '66).