Door Protection and Parking Lots

[OsoMoore]

I commute in my SC and am happy to say it is a Daily Driver, and not a garage queen. That said, I do want to preserve the car for many glorious years.

I have a Targa, which means I am often opening the door, and then using both hands while I move the top on or off. My doors are old, and although they open and shut properly, they tend to swing totally open unless the car is perfectly level and there is no wind. This is a problem when I'm in a parking lot and using both hands for something else.

My passenger door came to me with some sort of black plastic edging on it. It protects the door from scratching nearby cars and itself, and the it looks natural. It has never caused any problems. My driver's door has nothing. I've looked around online, and the stuff I find on Amazon has complaints about coming off in hot weather. Does anyone recommend a good door guard for our cars?

On a related note, it would be nice to do something to return some stiffness to the door movement. On a new car, the door shifts into multiple areas and then "pops" to the next. You can open the door partially and expect it to stay in that position. Is there some sort of spring or piston for an SC that could be replaced to regain this behavior?

[Dpmulvan]

You can buy a door stay kit here on pelican to replace your worn out one (common problem). There's also a pelican member who was selling magnetic door protectors but I don't know his name try doing a search in the classifieds.

[Jdub]

Since my '78 Targa came with chrome trim I matched that with chrome/plastic trim for each door. It actually looks pretty good and since I put it on in very hot weather it formed nicely and has remained in place without a bit of trouble.

I really cannot recommend anything beyond what FLAPs has for you in the door ding aisle. Some come with a sticky inside which helps, but if you need a tight fit do be sure to heat the material and bend it into the shape prior to sticking it with some 3M FastTack or similar.

Oh yes, the door: You absolutely must install the door reinforcement kit before you tear that metal. From the ease of your door opening however I am assuming you are being very good about lubing the tang and rollers the bump runs between.

[dicklague]

here are a few ideas:

[Mike80911]

I bought 4 sets of for each of my cars these from a fellow pelican The quality is really great
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/porsche-911-technical-forum/879995-i-need-clear-these-out-my-shop.html

[OsoMoore]

My main problem is my doors swinging into things - not things bumping into me. I'll take a look at new door stays and edging from the FLAPS. Thanks everyone.

[Fixer]

Originally Posted by Dpmulvan

You can buy a door stay kit here on pelican to replace your worn out one (common problem). There's also a pelican member who was selling magnetic door protectors but I don't know his name try doing a search in the classifieds.

That's me.

Please email Astrid for a set of MAGDOORBUMPERS at marianibuildco@gmail.com

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hfaopvnp-So&list=PL2D856F748A4399C3

[Fixer]

Originally Posted by dicklague

here are a few ideas:

These guys all copied my Porsche MAGDOORBUMPER and got it all wrong.

You don't even notice my product b/c it's thin yet projects outward.. which is what you need. They can be left on all day.

MAGDOORBUMPERS are the original, the below is the proof as Automobile Magazine was impressed with them as a new tool for your car. I made these for my 3.2 in the avatar because of my scary parking lot at work.

[Koizumi]

I have my dent removal guy on speed-dial. No matter how far away I park from an entrance with any of my cars, I'm surrounded by SUVs on each side... And empty spots everywhere else. It's inevitable!

Luckily, my 911 has bumpers. My other car has a nose and no bumper. Yes it's been crushed by a gold Honda minivan that only had to go forward instead of backing up first, to exit the first parking spot at the top of the block. Crushed nose had gold paint all over it. No note, just me and my $2450 bill to source a NOS nose. Now that's a good nosejob said the plastic surgeon in Beverly Hills

[wayne robson]

I fitted a six inch length of three eights fuel hose
by cutting through the length of it.Only had to put a
little contact adhesive on the inside edge, its black same as car,
and on the center of door where it protrudes out the most
so helps my door from hitting objects ,anywhere and garage.
I always look for parks at the end of rows,so that i can park
right against the curb ,then i only have to be concerned about one
side of the Porsche.I dont like black protection strip on a coloured car as it makes the door gap like big and wide.

[stormcrow]

OsoMoore

Go over to Autozone or Advanced Auto Sales - they carry trim for door edges - either in clear or black. It is about 1/4" wide V shaped with stick stuff in the V to keep it in place. A 8' roll costs around $10.00 or so.

I have it on the edge of both my doors and it hasn't come off yet after 13 years.

[Charles Freeborn]

This place has all kinds of extrusions:
Outwater Plastics Industries

-C

[OsoMoore]

Thanks guys. My wife as OK'ed the new door stays. I'll pick up some edging while I wait to put them on. Got a newborn adoption about to happen any hour now, so I don't know when I'll get to put in the stays.