Windshield Moldings
Moldings are a cosmetic black rubber trim that usually run along either the top or the top and sides of your glass. Contrary to popular belief, they play absolutely no part in holding your windshield in your car. Many older vehicles had windshields held in with rubber gaskets but those are different from moldings and are very uncommon in modern vehicles. Moldings are added to vehicles by designers to aid in appearance.
Your vehicle will fall into one of 5 categories in terms of moldings:
First, you may not have any at all – that’s not uncommon. Not all vehicles have moldings and this is increasingly common on newer vehicles. Since they are an appearance-only addition by designers, they sometimes choose not to use them. However, if a vehicle was designed to have a molding, it should continue to do so or issues like wind noise can occur.
Second, the windshield for your vehicle may come from the factory with a molding pre-applied. Many moldings are attached in the manufacturing process and if that is the case for your vehicle, you will receive a new molding as part of the windshield at no additional charge.
Third, your vehicle may have a molding that does not come pre-applied to the new glass. The existing molding on your original windshield can often be saved and reused but this is not always the case. Most versions stay attached to your glass with a combination of a mechanical hold and adhesive. Removing them from the existing windshield can result in them stretching or tearing. If a new molding is required, they fall into two categories:
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Standard “wrap” or “underside” moldings. These are the common sizes and styles of molding stocked by automotive glass shops in large quantity. We usually use the specific molding for your vehicle – instead of the generic moldings . Combined fit most vehicles on the road and are quite cost effective. You can have a fresher look without too much cost. Most replacement moldings at Merrillville Auto Glass are between $15 and $160. They are made by Precision Replacement Parts and GGG Moldings (Gold Glass Group)
Standard “wrap” or “underside” moldings. These are the common sizes and styles of molding stocked by automotive glass shops in large quantity. We usually use the specific molding for your vehicle – instead of the generic moldings . Combined fit most vehicles on the road and are quite cost effective. You can have a fresher look without too much cost. Most replacement moldings at Merrillville Auto Glass are between $15 and $160. They are made by Precision Replacement Parts and GGG Moldings (Gold Glass Group) •
•Specialty or packaged moldings. Sometimes a manufacturer will design a vehicle with a very unique molding. Above molding is for a 2011-2019 Ford Explore side molding Kit add $225 to your windshield installation cost. The top molding is attached to the windshield when we get it . In most cases if a car is designed with a especially unique molding it will be one of the ones installed on the windshield from factory. However like everything there are exceptions that don’t. If your vehicle is one of these and needs a new molding, it will come individually packaged and ready made for your exact vehicle. While most packaged or specialty moldings are quite affordable, there are notable exceptions that can be very expensive. They can range from $25 to $800 depending on your vehicle. Some vehicles have onetime use only side moldings like Caravan and Ford Explorer and the like – they are black and very thin plastic moldings. These are also made by Precision Rplacement Parts and GGG Molding and are extra cost.
Specialty or packaged moldings. Sometimes a manufacturer will design a vehicle with a very unique molding. Above molding is for a 2011-2019 Ford Explore side molding Kit add $225 to your windshield installation cost. The top molding is attached to the windshield when we get it . In most cases if a car is designed with a especially unique molding it will be one of the ones installed on the windshield from factory. However like everything there are exceptions that don’t. If your vehicle is one of these and needs a new molding, it will come individually packaged and ready made for your exact vehicle. While most packaged or specialty moldings are quite affordable, there are notable exceptions that can be very expensive. They can range from $25 to $800 depending on your vehicle. Some vehicles have onetime use only side moldings like Caravan and Ford Explorer and the like – they are black and very thin plastic moldings. These are also made by Precision Rplacement Parts and GGG Molding and are extra cost. •
•Third is old school metal moldings. These are held on by clips and finish off the edges of your windshield.. these are almost always reused – and if available can be ordered new if available .
Third is old school metal moldings. These are held on by clips and finish off the edges of your windshield.. these are almost always reused – and if available can be ordered new if available . •Fourth are factory side moldings that are intended to be reused.
Fourth are factory side moldings that are intended to be reused. Some vehicles have factory side moldings that are meant to be reused. These are a decorative trim They are not made by any after market company and can only be ordered through the dealer. They are not meant to be replaced and can be dry rotted and shrunk up depending on what they are made of and the age of your vehicle. We try our best to take these moldings off and reuse them saving our customers money.. depending on the vehicles age and if they are available from the Dealer we can replace these at the extra cost if the customer wants. They are not included in the price quoted.
And our last part we would like to talk about is your COWL Molding – these are never intended to be replaced with your windshield. They are a molding that covers up your water troft for over flow of water drainage. The panel that covers the gap between your car's hood and windshield is known as a cowl panel. It protects the area between the windshield and the hood while supporting the windshield and dashboard. It accomplishes this by ensuring that no foreign objects enter the windshield wiper system or the cabin filter area.
It is important to note that a new molding generally looks better and “fresher” than one saved from an existing vehicle. If your old one can be saved, it is up to you to decide whether you want us to reuse it or get a new one anyways to complete the new look. If it cannot be saved, we have no choice but to replace it at the extra cost.
moldings not flush - molding uneven, gap between pillar and windshield
