Thread: 2006 grand prix 3.8 N/A Wimpy heat, door molding coming off,

second issue i am having is the exterior molding on the drivers door is coming loose where it ends near the passenger door, It looks like a bolt or screw is in there when peeled back,

I assume I have to remove the door card and secure the screw with a nut or washer?

EDIT

Looked into it and was recommended to use 3m molding super strenght tape, instead of popping off door card and seeing if this piece needs a washer or nut.

here is a picture. http://i.imgur.com/Bm6PLKt.jpg

Flush the heater core, very common on the 04+ to have low heat output.

They may be warm/hot but that doesnt mean they can flow enough hot coolant in there to keep it warm when you have the fans blasting.

Its just a broken plastic body clip. Use the tape until it peels again and if you really want to fix it then the piece will have to be removed and you will need the proper clip from an auto parts store. Be sure to take the old clip with you to get an exact match. As far as getting it off im not sure if you have to rip the door apart but more than likely you will in order to get at the rear side of the clip to activate its release.

This is how they are on the 97-03's.....


http://chrisb.users.superford.org/Gr...r_Molding.html

I don't know squat about 06s so I haven't said anything, but... double sided tape might suprise you and hold. I'm not confident that an RTV goo will do. If theres something broken off the molding you might want to try your luck and stroll through a salvage yard because original paint matches fairly well from car to car. In any event, double sided automotive attachment tape can be a pain when its old. However if all the residue is cleaned off carefully, you can normally stick a molding corner back down if theres a flange to tape to. Did a little two inch at the front of my door fix last weekend. If tape doesn't hold forever it can be redone.

Make sure the surface is clean and warm; I use brake-clean and a heat gun.

Brake cleaner? Better wipe that off in a hurry, Bronc. That type of solvent can be absorbed into soft plastic and cause swelling. See can to confirm whether your specific chosen product is OK on car paint. To remove old tape, soften with solvent or lubricate with soapy water or glass cleaner and carefully scrape with a plastic instrument, maybe a used-up gift card or something like that. So you don't damage the paint. Solvents exist that can be used on modern clearcoat paint. Such as wax and grease or bug and tar remover, goo-gone, adhesive remover, nail polish remover, etc. But around the house I use WD40 while I scrape old tape. It stays wet for a spell, so you can scrape. Special "eraser wheel" or "hockey puck" tools are available for those who do it a lot. They work like a pencil eraser. Often a guy can slowly peel up the old tape with fingers if it is still in decent shape.

Once the surfaces are free from tape, they can be cleaned. Wash first with soapy water (or squirt glass cleaner down in there, if the molding is still partially attached) and paper towel it as best you can then let it air out so at least your tape area is dry. Now you're ready for alcohol, to final clean. Isopropyl alcohol is cheap and at stores of all kinds and in varying strength. The place where you got that tape probably has some sort of packaged alcohol prep wipes just for this if you don't want a whole bottle.

You'll be OK if its over 60 degrees, the 3M tape stays soft and sticks well. Heat makes it softer. Never a bad idea to keep an eye on a molding like that for a couple days in case it needs more pressing down though. They almost all (3M) have red backing (sometimes I see green liner on black tape) but you might have black, grey, or white foam tape in the package. They would all work. Just mash hell out of it when you stick it, and go over it a couple times just don't make a dent lol. If you do these things, you'll give it a sportin chance at staying put.

Originally Posted by idrivejunk

Brake cleaner? Better wipe that off in a hurry, Bronc. That type of solvent can be absorbed into soft plastic and cause swelling. See can to confirm whether your specific chosen product is OK on car paint.

Been using/doing it this way for over 20 years with no bad results. Remember, we are only cleaning the surface, and brake clean evaporates quickly, so no issues. Now if we were soaking in it, that would be a different situation.