Sounds like one more guy burned by a body shop not removing the ding strips when painting/blending  . I'd love to remove mine , but 1) I'm sure some J/O will find a way to dent my car immediately after removal 2) With MY luck , the factory will have had to respray a door for some reason (before I bought it new) and I will be in the same boat  . So my ding strips will stay on ...
~~~~~~~ Phil 
Black & Tan 2000 SVT Contour #2137 of 2150
35,000 miles & counting !
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