Removing door moldings - options?

[BP68]

Hey all, here is my new 06 ext cab. I have always planned on removing all badges and moldings when I got a new truck. The LT badges and Silverado emblem on the tailgate have been removed along with a black pin stripe installed by the dealer. I finally got my truck clean and noticed vertical stains behind the chrome in my moldings. I am gonna get new ones under warranty. I am trying to visualize the look on my particular truck without moldings. I am gonna keep the new ones in the box incase I ever needed/wanted em.

When I pull the streaked ones off should I .....

1. Leave em off altogether?
2. Replace em with the thin chrome Gmc moldings?
3. Replace em with the Chevy paint to match ones?
4. Replace em with the GMC style paint to match? (Do these exist?)

Also plan to install painted door handles and tailgate handle, billet grille.

One other question. I would kinda like a new Bowtie emblem for the grille. The billet ones seem to disappear into the grille. I was thinking body color, but am afraid it will stay chipped up from bugs and debirs. Has anyone ever seen a Carbon fiber one? Any other suggestions?

THanks for the advice.

[Josh]

It depends on teh truck but the body color grill emblems look good. I would remove teh door moldings, it makes the trucks more susceptible to door dings but cleans up the overall look IMO.

[N2TRUX]

Here's what I would do. I would pull the mouldings and sell the new ones you have coming on Ebay. I would take that money and buy Escalade door handles. Then I would paint the mirror surrounds and add GM chrome covers. While I was at it, I would paint the lower valance under the front bumper too.

Oh, wait I already did that on my 06 Silverado CC...

You can find painted bowties on Ebay or get a chrome one from Summit racing. Yes the chrome ones blend in. That's exactly what I wanted mine to do.

[BP68]

[QUOTE=N2TRUX;1851543]Here's what I would do. I would pull the mouldings and sell the new ones you have coming on Ebay. I would take that money and buy Escalade door handles. Then I would paint the mirror surrounds and add GM chrome covers. While I was at it, I would paint the lower valance under the front bumper too.

Oh, wait I already did that on my 06 Silverado CC...

My initial check on handles at my dealer didn't show my color as an option for the pre painted ones, but I didn't check options for the escalade.

As far as the mirrors and lower bumper valance.... have you had much trouble with chips? I always worried I would constantly be touching em up since those items take a lot of abuse from bugs and road debris.

Thanks for the pic and opinions.

[Jonboy]

You can get the handles all one color for a tahoe/suburban. They are part of the luxury (LT) package. I don't think the escalades came in that color, so they probably won't be available in the color of your truck. I would remove the door moldings, too. If they were body color I would suggest leaving them, but I would can the black textured ones. The paint to match ones are a PITA to paint; I would probably just leave them off.

[N2TRUX]

If you paint the backs of the mirrors they will eventually get chipped but no more than the front of your hood does. The same goes for the lower valance, it's going to see some rock chips, but it looks so much better painted.

I have done this to the last three trucks I have owned, and will probably do the next one too.

Jon is correct that you can't get Escalade handles in your color, but you can get Tahoe/Burb handles that will be fully painted.

[67ChevyRedneck]

I was never fond of the newer style moldings they put on the 03-07 "classic" trucks. They look odd. I had always thought that if I bought a 03-07 I would either remove it completely or install 99-02 silverado side moldings on the truck.

As far as stone chips.... don't tailgate on the interstate and you'll harldy see any

[Jonboy]

The HD hood on the 06-07 trucks tends to catch a few rock chips anyhow, tailgating or not. You may want to look into a bugshield, also.

[ezernut9mm]

Originally Posted by Jonboy

The HD hood on the 06-07 trucks tends to catch a few rock chips anyhow, tailgating or not. You may want to look into a bugshield, also.

yep. have just over 3k on my 06 and have three very noticable chips on the hood and believe me, i stay way the f back whenever i can. the price you pay when you have a bulldozer of a front profile.