Contour Enthusiasts Group Archives Forums Modifications Aesthetics Door guard removal (highly recommend).....

I decided this past weekend to remove my door guards, and wow. What a difference. I highly recommend this modification to everyone. It was relatively easy, but took a long time to remove all of the stickem. I used "GOO GONE", and that helped. Total time to remove was about 2+ hours. I took some pictures and will try to upload them soon.

Again, I HIGHLY recommend this mod, it really cleans up the lines of the car.

For those interested, and worried about the difference in appearance of the paint, DON'T WORRY. My car is #634, and I took ownership in July 1997. So, it's about four years old. When I took off the guards, there was a difference in the color, but I easily took care of that.

First, I applied Meguiars Medallion Premium Paint Cleaner (M-9716) to the area. I applied it twice, making sure to work it in thoroughly. Then I applied Meguiars #7 Show Car Glaze (M-0716) to bring out the shine. Then a touch of Meguiars #26 Hi-Tech Yellow Wax (M-2616) to finish protecting what I just did. Then I waxed the entire door with Zymol Cleaner Wax (Z-503) [Note, haven't gotten the Zaino stuff yet. ]

Anyway, let's just say that you don't even notice the difference anymore, it looks as if nothing was ever there.

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Ryan W.
1998 T-Red SVT E0 #634 (KKM)
Austin/Cedar Park, Texas

[This message has been edited by ryanwoodsvt (edited April 02, 2001).]

don't you guys understand what they are there for? they're "ding guards". if somebody opens their door and hits your car, it'll hit the ding guard instead of your door, which are much less costly than hitting the door itself.

True, but out of the 10 or so dings / scratches on my car, my door guards had one minor mark. The door guards only protect you from cars that have their doors at the exact same height as your guard. So basically, if you only park next to other Contours, your guards will help.

The best protection from dings and scratches is parking far away from others, and next to curbs.

Just my $0.02.

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Ryan W.
1998 T-Red SVT E0 #634 (KKM)
Austin/Cedar Park, Texas

Yeah, stay away from any sub 90 car. That helps alot too...

Did mine also this weekend, here are the results:
[img]http://albums.photopoint.com/j/View?u=1618139&a=12400775&p=45454463[/img]
[img]http://albums.photopoint.com/j/View?u=1618139&a=12400775&p=45454472[/img]

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Deron
'99 Tropic Green SVT
#924/2760

I wouldn't do it if I were you. I did it and there was no clearcoat under them on one side.

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'99 SE Zetec ATX
Medium Steel Blue.
Tint, Mesh Grill, Badgeless, Sidemarkers
Pollo_loco69@hotmail.com

I did mine this weekend too, turned out really nice except for one problem. I was involved in an accident and when my car was fixed they blended the paint over the ding guard on the rear door and now i have a nice outline of it on the door where I took it off. I now have to put the guards back on or have the door painted. Bummer!

Your car must have been repainted Pollo

Did mine this weekend also. It is definately a great asthetic mod. There was some difference in color, only noticeable if you REALLY look at the car or if you know where the guards were. I basically did what 'ryanwoodsvt' did. Use some paint cleaner and then some polish and finish with wax. Looks great.

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Brad W.
1998 Silver Frost SE
brantleyiii@earthlink.net
Photopoint Album-(Updated 2/28/01)
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"Just remember, when things look bad, it can always be worse."

i did one side of mine too, and i loved it until i got to the second one. there was a clear outline of rough crap around it. tried to get it off with no success. mine is a 95. go for it! if you have to put them back on, double sided tape worked great for me...