[hiker74]

As we all know the rear doors of the 2010-2013 OB are huge and have a huge swing. In less than 3 months we have managed to skim the paint off the edge of at least one of the rear doors which with me being a detail freak is very disappointing. I have convinced the dealer to give me a bottle of touch up paint free of charge (car manufacturers used to give this stuff away when you purchased new vehicles in the 1980's). I know there are door edge guards out there that are reallly tacky, but is anyone aware of something that does a good job but is not very noticable? We have a 2013 OB. Also the paint does not seem to be very durable. Has anyone else encountered durability issues with the paint on the OB's?

 

[mparker762]

Where did this happen? Next to the taillights? There's a problem with the 2012 and 2013 models where the hatch can scrape the plastic taillight cover and chip the paint. There's supposedly a TSB on this.

 

[hiker74]

Its actually on the door edge not the rear hatch. I believe the rear hatch issue was on the 2012

 

[vr4Legacy]

I too am looking for a nice looking solution. I've looked into clear 3M film, but can't find anything in a decent price range. My carport isn't wide enough to open the door all the way, and with a carseat in the back, the doors inevitably touch the house occaisionally.

As for durability of paint. In my experiece Subaru paint is on the thinner side. On my last 3 Subarus they all seem to chip and nick easier than most. I have read it's due to the fact that Subaru uses a "greener" paint than most, so with that trade off comes less durable finish than the "good ole days". Supposedly most manufacturers are moving towards similar paints.

I haven't had another "new" car other than a Subaru so I can't comment to it's durability compared to other new cars.

 

[upflying]

I too am looking for a nice looking solution. I've looked into clear 3M film, but can't find anything in a decent price range. My carport isn't wide enough to open the door all the way, and with a carseat in the back, the doors inevitably touch the house occaisionally.

As for durability of paint. In my experiece Subaru paint is on the thinner side. On my last 3 Subarus they all seem to chip and nick easier than most. I have read it's due to the fact that Subaru uses a "greener" paint than most, so with that trade off comes less durable finish than the "good ole days". Supposedly most manufacturers are moving towards similar paints.

I haven't had another "new" car other than a Subaru so I can't comment to it's durability compared to other new cars.

Have you considered installing/removing the car seat before entering or after leaving the carport?
All modern auto paints are brittle. You can thank the EPA for our environmentally friendly water based paints.

 

[JAvendan]

I know there are door edge guards out there that are reallly tacky, but is anyone aware of something that does a good job but is not very noticable? We have a 2013 OB. Also the paint does not seem to be very durable. Has anyone else encountered durability issues with the paint on the OB's?

when i had my front windows tinted the installer asked if i wanted the door edge gaurd protector thingies... he wanted $90 for all 4 doors.

i opted to have the front two only and paid $45

very stealth and install was very clean.

he warranties for as long as i own the car and they're still around - lol.

i can get a pic later.

joel

 

[OBnube]

3M Clearbra/Lamin-X can be used for door edges.

 

[JAvendan]

Poor pic, sorry!

Joel

 

[vr4Legacy]

upflying.. yes, we try to do that. Mostly she just parks it in front of the house where it's not a problem. But when it's raining outside, I'd rather risk dinging the door

Myself, I don't want to hassle with taking the kid inside, get him settled then go back outside and move the car, all the while being that D**K that parked on the sidewalk instead of pulling into his driveway.

JAvendan, that is exactly what I am looking for. But I don't know that I want to pay $90 for it... however a lifetime guarantee might make it worthwhile. I'll call my local tint shop.

Thanks!

 

[mparker762]

I bought some clear u-shaped strips and put them on the door edge. I don't remember what they're called, but they're available from any auto parts store and have been around for decades at least. They have a soft plastic sticky substance inside the channel so they stick to the door edge. You'll have to replace them every few years as the sticky stuff eventually looses its stickiness, but they're very cheap...

 

[hiker74]

I will check with the tint shop as well. I will also check the items mparker762 suggested. It really doesn't have to be that pretty

 

[JAvendan]

JAvendan, that is exactly what I am looking for. But I don't know that I want to pay $90 for it... however a lifetime guarantee might make it worthwhile. I'll call my local tint shop.

Thanks!

yeah, i wasn't feeling the $90 at the time. that is why i opted for the front two doors at the time - $45.

he showed me the shop van that is black in color and you can really see the edge guard and has held up well.

i sometimes think that i will ruin it by running it over with the sponge while washing the car but it has held on pretty well.

and if i ever have a problem i will just take it back.

joel