Side Body Mouldings

[sooznd]

Which type is better to get, wide or narrow? Do the wider ones protect better?

[manxman]

Which type is better to get, wide or narrow? Do the wider ones protect better?
The only source for wide mouldings is Zeta Products (AFAIK), and they do give much better protection than any of the narrow ones, even the OEM Honda moldings. Zeta's have a 5 year warranty, and will prevent dents in the underlying sheet metal because of the material that they are made from (ABS plastic). Narrow mouldings are made of PVC- much softer. A hard hit to soft mouldings bends them, and the sheet metal then bends as well. The ABS material doesn't bend- spreads the impact over a wide area to protect the doors.

The Blaze Orange Metallic '07 Fit in Zeta's ads was mine, and the BBP '09 Fit is also mine. By being the first tester of the Zeta product on a '07 Fit, and writing the installation instructions on their web site, I got the '07 set for free. when I bought my '09, I was happy to pay for the next set- they are the best quality that you can buy.

[macbuddy]

Which type is better to get, wide or narrow? Do the wider ones protect better?

sooznd,
Here is another reason for choosing the wide side molding. Early on, my '07 suffered a very noticeable ding to the rear passenger side door. Luckily upon installation, Zeta's 2.5" wide side molding easily covered that mishap.
So for me, they not only help provide future protection, but they also helped me avoid a costly visit to the body shop!
-macbuddy-
BTW, here is a link for you:
Zeta side moldings on my SSM Sport... (http://www.fitfreak.net/forums/fit-exterior-modifications-jdm-styling/28155-new-side-moldings-zeta-products-diy-w-photos.html#post382455)

[sooznd]

Thanks for the great advice. I was leaning towards the wider since my Subaru has them and I have had it for 10 years w/o mishap.
The color match on your Orange Revolution looks great--I hope it is true for the other colors too.

Great DIY instructions!--the folks on that "other forum" never seem to answer my questions--they are all so concerned with lowering the car and Mugen styling....... ;)
God only knows why I would want to make this car any lower----I am glad I got the GE8 with the larger tires as I am sometimes on dirt roads.

[Godzilla]

I think an AWD Fit would be awesome....although the gas mileage would suffer.

[sooznd]

I think an AWD Fit would be awesome....although the gas mileage would suffer.

An AWD Fit Hybrid would be my dream car.

[VillageIdiot]

sooznd,
Here is another reason for choosing the wide side molding. Early on, my '07 suffered a very noticeable ding to the rear passenger side door. Luckily upon installation, Zeta's 2.5" wide side molding easily covered that mishap.
So for me, they not only help provide future protection, but they also helped me avoid a costly visit to the body shop!
-macbuddy-
BTW, here is a link for you:
Zeta side moldings on my SSM Sport... (http://www.fitfreak.net/forums/fit-exterior-modifications-jdm-styling/28155-new-side-moldings-zeta-products-diy-w-photos.html#post382455)

Well Mike you've got me sold, I have a ding that needs to be covered up and I was wondering if it could be done that way.... I told my wife not to park down hill from the front door at Wal-Mart and she wouldn't listen... I think my car was used as a target by the cart pushers that work there.

[macbuddy]

Dee,
Measure from the center of the ding to the bottom of the door edge. If it measures in the range of 12 to 14 inches, then the wide side molding may work for you too.
Fabricate and test mount a 2.5" cardboard template and decide if you like what you see.