Hi. I have a 99 Honda Civic Sedan and the molding around the windows has started to crack so I can see the silver chrome underneath it. Is it a problem if I just leave the molding to chip away until it gets to chrome, then leave it just on chrome?

Is it going to leak in the inside if I leave it on just chrome?

What is the purpose of the rubber molding on top of the chrome?

 

most of mine is chipped off and it doesnt leak at all. its just to protect the metal I imagine. I haven't really looked into how to take it off and repaint it but I hear its possible

 

This is a well-known deficiency. Options:

1. Lots just let it chip down to the chrome, maybe helping the chipping along with a little acetone carefully dabbed on.

2. Remove the molding and paint it with a high quality high gloss black paint. I used Krylon spray paint on mine. Others say there are better paints. Not like new but much improved. See https://honda-tech.com/forums/honda-civic-del-sol-1992-2000-1/how-do-you-get-rid-black-rubber-2626807/ for more chatter.

3. Replace the molding. Go to bkhondaparts.com and buy it. The molding runs about $50 per strip. So for a sedan, you are laying out around $200. For the part numbers see http://hondatuning.automotive.com/92...ing/index.html. (The procedure at this site does not make much sense to me, since the clips are as likely to stay intact without removing everything he does.)

 

what about the molding thats on the roof? would it be the same as the window? i have a 94 civic coupe.

 

moldings on the roof? If you have a ej1 then you have an ex like me and it doesn't have metal only rubber weather stripping

 

Its a dx...I can see the metal already