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WhiteyNocar
Samba Member
Joined: December 21, 2022
Posts: 36
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 Posted: Sun Feb 05, 2023 2:37 pm Post subject: Stainless or aluminum body trim- what would you buy and why? |
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Once I get done removing the black rubber backing and adhesive left from whatever peel and stick molding a previous owner installed and long since removed… and let bake in the sun for years, I am going to buy new belt molding kit. Wondering which one is better? Stainless steel seems like it would be a little more durable than aluminum, but it’s cheaper to buy. So wondering what’s the best and what makes it better?
Your thoughts are appreciated. |
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ALLWAGONS
Samba Member
Joined: June 03, 2000
Posts: 4186
Location: Pasadena CA/DTLA soon China
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| Posted: Sun Feb 05, 2023 5:31 pm Post subject: Re: Stainless or aluminum body trim- what would you buy and why? |
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I’ll be first. Type 3’s never came with stainless steel, it all depends how much bling you want.
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I'd be UNSTOPPABLE if not for Law Enforcement and PHYSICS.
I recycle old cars and parts, other than when I rot, that's as Green as I am going to get.
Thanks to my Tesla driving neighbors, I feel more relaxed driving my SUBURBAN and old VW's.
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WhiteyNocar
Samba Member
Joined: December 21, 2022
Posts: 36
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| Posted: Sun Feb 05, 2023 8:02 pm Post subject: Re: Stainless or aluminum body trim- what would you buy and why? |
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| Is one blingier than the other? |
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Bryan67
Samba Member
Joined: January 01, 2003
Posts: 2940
Location: Fresno, Ca.
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| Posted: Sun Feb 05, 2023 8:08 pm Post subject: Re: Stainless or aluminum body trim- what would you buy and why? |
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Polished stainless is shinier then anodized aluminum. And I always go with stainless.
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If you`re going to do something, do it right. |
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old_man
Samba Member
Joined: June 19, 2018
Posts: 1381
Location: Newfoundland
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| Posted: Mon Feb 06, 2023 3:38 am Post subject: Re: Stainless or aluminum body trim- what would you buy and why? |
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| I went with stainless. The less maintenance the better. |
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KTPhil 
Samba Member
Joined: April 06, 2006
Posts: 34003
Location: Conejo Valley, CA
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| Posted: Mon Feb 06, 2023 9:41 am Post subject: Re: Stainless or aluminum body trim- what would you buy and why? |
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SS is stronger (more dent-resistant) and will not tarnish, though both are fine. As posted the SS is more shiny than the AL, so a stock nut will want alum.
Last edited by KTPhil on Mon Feb 06, 2023 2:49 pm; edited 1 time in total |
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Bobnotch
Samba Member
Joined: July 06, 2003
Posts: 22410
Location: Kimball, Mi
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| Posted: Mon Feb 06, 2023 2:37 pm Post subject: Re: Stainless or aluminum body trim- what would you buy and why? |
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| KTPhil wrote: |
| SS is stronger (more dent-resistant) and will not tarnish, though both are fine. AS posted the SS is more shiny than the AL, so a stock nut will want alum. |
Agreed on both points. The SS is much more durable, requires less work to keep it polished, and can even be re-polished if needed. I've got SS on my 65 Notch, and Aluminum on my wife's 70 Fastback (was all that was available at the time). It's mostly an owners desire to which way you go. We've owned my wife's 70 Fastback since July 4th 1989 (my 2nd type 3), and my 65 Notch since Sept 20th 1999. Needless to say neither car is going anywhere in my life time.
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Bob 65 Notch S with Sunroof
71 Notch ...aka Krunchy; build pics here;
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=249390 -been busy working
64 T-34 Ghia...aka Wolfie, under construction... http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=412120
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| Tram wrote: |
| People keep confusing "restored" and "restroyed". |
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LowThrum
Samba Member
Joined: May 16, 2022
Posts: 50
Location: Las Vegas
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| Posted: Mon Feb 06, 2023 4:14 pm Post subject: Re: Stainless or aluminum body trim- what would you buy and why? |
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| source for the stainless steel? |
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Bobnotch
Samba Member
Joined: July 06, 2003
Posts: 22410
Location: Kimball, Mi
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| Posted: Mon Feb 06, 2023 4:43 pm Post subject: Re: Stainless or aluminum body trim- what would you buy and why? |
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| LowThrum wrote: |
| source for the stainless steel? |
ISPWest.
_________________
Bob 65 Notch S with Sunroof
71 Notch ...aka Krunchy; build pics here;
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=249390 -been busy working
64 T-34 Ghia...aka Wolfie, under construction... http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=412120
| Tram wrote: |
| "Friends are God's way of apologizing for relatives." |
| Tram wrote: |
| People keep confusing "restored" and "restroyed". |
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WhiteyNocar
Samba Member
Joined: December 21, 2022
Posts: 36
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| Posted: Tue Feb 07, 2023 1:49 pm Post subject: Re: Stainless or aluminum body trim- what would you buy and why? |
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Thanks everyone for your input.
Stainless it is. |
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WhiteyNocar
Samba Member
Joined: December 21, 2022
Posts: 36
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| Posted: Sat Mar 11, 2023 10:36 am Post subject: Re: Stainless or aluminum body trim- what would you buy and why? |
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Finally got around to ordering the stainless steel body molding kit from ISP West.
Shipping to Michigan cost 1/2 the price of the parts, but worth it. Packaged nicely to avoid shipping damage.
My rocker molding was still in good shape so just got the 6 piece kit.
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Bobnotch
Samba Member
Joined: July 06, 2003
Posts: 22410
Location: Kimball, Mi
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| Posted: Sat Mar 11, 2023 1:48 pm Post subject: Re: Stainless or aluminum body trim- what would you buy and why? |
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Looks good with it. I'm sure you polished the lower piece to match. 
_________________
Bob 65 Notch S with Sunroof
71 Notch ...aka Krunchy; build pics here;
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=249390 -been busy working
64 T-34 Ghia...aka Wolfie, under construction... http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=412120
| Tram wrote: |
| "Friends are God's way of apologizing for relatives." |
| Tram wrote: |
| People keep confusing "restored" and "restroyed". |
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Mike Fisher
Samba Member
Joined: January 30, 2006
Posts: 17970
Location: Eugene, OR
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| Posted: Sat Mar 11, 2023 6:41 pm Post subject: Re: Stainless or aluminum body trim- what would you buy and why? |
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| Bobnotch wrote: |
| Looks good with it. I'm sure you polished the lower piece to match. |
I used Nevr-Dull wadding polish on my magnesium American Mags & it did a good job!
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https://imgur.com/user/FisherSquareback/posts
69 FI/AT square Daily Driver
66 sunroof,67,70,71,71,71AT,72,72AT,73 Parts
two 57 oval ragtops sold
'68 Karmann Ghia sold
Society is like stew. If you don't keep it stirred up you end up with a lot of scum on the top! - Russ_Wolfe/Edward Abbey |
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WhiteyNocar
Samba Member
Joined: December 21, 2022
Posts: 36
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| Posted: Sat Mar 11, 2023 11:01 pm Post subject: Re: Stainless or aluminum body trim- what would you buy and why? |
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I gone through a bunch of NeverDull on the chrome. This is what my wheels looked like when I got the car
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WhiteyNocar
Samba Member
Joined: December 21, 2022
Posts: 36
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| Posted: Sat Mar 11, 2023 11:02 pm Post subject: Re: Stainless or aluminum body trim- what would you buy and why? |
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Same wheel after Never Dull
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Mike Fisher
Samba Member
Joined: January 30, 2006
Posts: 17970
Location: Eugene, OR
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| Posted: Sun Mar 12, 2023 7:57 pm Post subject: Re: Stainless or aluminum body trim- what would you buy and why? |
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So, polish your lower side trim on the rockers to match your new trim.
_________________
https://imgur.com/user/FisherSquareback/posts
69 FI/AT square Daily Driver
66 sunroof,67,70,71,71,71AT,72,72AT,73 Parts
two 57 oval ragtops sold
'68 Karmann Ghia sold
Society is like stew. If you don't keep it stirred up you end up with a lot of scum on the top! - Russ_Wolfe/Edward Abbey |
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