2G Drip Moulding Replacements?

[spyderdrifter]

I know this topic has been around for some time, and I know our drip rails have been discontinued for years. However, has anyone tried to see if 3rd gen Eclipse drip rails work? Each car has a very similar window line, not sure if it's the same, although it's rumored that a 2g spyder and 3g spyder have the same tops (with minor changes). 3g drip rails are part numbers MR349647 and MR349648, each for $37.09 from JNZTuning. I'm considering trying this out by pulling one from a 3g in the salvage yard and seeing how well if fits a 2g in the salvage yard. Anyone try this yet though?

 

[jakelandry]

I guess I don't really have a contribution to your exact thread, but I scuffed and painted mine with self etching primer then put rattle can vinyl and fabric dye paint over that and mine look brand new 4 years later. I know that sounds like the typical response everyone gives but that specific paint gives an oem look that is actually durable enough to look the exact same 4 years later. I don't half ass aesthetics on my cars, in fact it bothers me that my paint job is 4 years old to the extent im about to repaint it, and it was acceptable for me.

 

[spyderdrifter]

I've considered doing that, but if there's something that'll replace it without the need of paint, I gotta try. In the end I may have to go this route anyway.

 

[Strm Trpr]

I guess I don't really have a contribution to your exact thread, but I scuffed and painted mine with self etching primer then put rattle can vynal and fabric dye paint over that and mine look brand new 4 years later. I know that sounds like the typical response everyone gives but that specific paint gives an oem look that is actually durable enough to look the exact same 4 years later. I don't half ass aesthetics on my cars, in fact it bothers me that my paint job is 4 years old to the extent im about to repaint it, and it was acceptable for me.

I need to redo mine.
What's all involved in removing the drip molding, is it easy?
How did you scuff the surface to be painted?
Can you provide links to all of the materials you used to accomplish your "OEM" finish on your drip molding?

Thank you in advance!

 

[jakelandry]

It's been a long time but I believe I used some 180 grit sand paper to get them to bare metal, then 2 coats of self etching primer. Once they're dry use a red scotch Brite to take the texture out and give the next coat something to stick to then use rattle can vinyl and fabric paint. I believe I used duplicator but I believe it's pretty similar to rustoleum's equivilent. You pull the door seal out then there's a lot of Phillips head screws holding them in. Not hard to remove but putting the door seal back in kinda sucks.

 

[Strm Trpr]

Ahh, cool, thanks for the brief description.

 

[JediMind]

Have you tried the 3g ones? There's millions of 3gs at my local junkyard.

 

[EVLGSX]

I searched the planet for a solution to roof drip moldings for my 2g. I was successful at rounding up every single other rubber outer body part for my restoration except those. I ended up settling for a set that was mailed to me from CA by a friend out there. You really want to make sure the rubber is fully intact as it creates a small lip across the upper edge that you will lose if you strip them to bare metal.

So I took my almost mint pair from CA, red padded them good, hit them with SEM flex primer, and a coat of strategically applied SEM 39143 trim black. I had to experiment with ranges of wet and dry coats to eventually achieve a finish that was close to my brand new belt moldings and quarter glass assembly moldings.

 

[red_devil]

You can try plastidip. Worked well on mine. But with Florida heat they only look good for about 2 years.

 

[TypeONegative]

I guess I don't really have a contribution to your exact thread, but I scuffed and painted mine with self etching primer then put rattle can vinyl and fabric dye paint over that and mine look brand new 4 years later. I know that sounds like the typical response everyone gives but that specific paint gives an oem look that is actually durable enough to look the exact same 4 years later. I don't half ass aesthetics on my cars, in fact it bothers me that my paint job is 4 years old to the extent im about to repaint it, and it was acceptable for me.

This! Duplicolor vinyl and fabric paint! Used it on my fog lights bezels,door panels, rear seat panels and it looks like brand new, BTW red devil I'm going to do my rails with this! Excellent idea I didn't' notice till now that mine could use it, gonna scuff and throw down a mistake coat of bulldog adhesion promoter and paint um up, keep in mind your gonna wanna cover any of the car below or the overstay will make a mess as it will splatter all over