It’s a common and frustrating experience for car owners: discovering a piece of your vehicle has detached, seemingly out of nowhere. If you’ve noticed a bottom plastic part of your car fell off, particularly those strips running along the lower sides of your car, you’re likely dealing with what’s often called rocker panel trim or side molding. Let’s delve into why this happens and how you can address it.
These plastic strips are typically found just below the doors, running along the length of the car. They are designed to enhance the vehicle’s aesthetics, offering a finished look and sometimes providing a degree of protection to the car’s body. On older vehicles, like your 1999 Taurus, these parts are often attached using plastic clips or fasteners that insert into holes in the car’s metal body panels.
The primary culprit behind these parts falling off, especially in older cars, is rust. Over time, moisture and road salt can accumulate in the areas where these plastic trims are attached. This leads to corrosion of the underlying metal. As the metal rusts, the mounting points for the plastic clips weaken and eventually disintegrate. Consequently, the clips lose their grip, and the plastic trim can simply fall off, even while the car is parked, as you experienced.
You mentioned finding a pile of rust where the strip was attached. This is a clear indicator of corrosion being the root cause. The fact that the plastic strip itself is in good condition is typical – the issue is usually with the car body and the attachment points, not the plastic trim itself.
So, how do you fix this and reattach the bottom plastic part of your car? Here are a few approaches, ranging from DIY fixes to professional solutions:
1. Inspect the Damage and Salvage Parts:
Before you start, carefully inspect both the plastic strip that fell off and the area on your car where it was attached. Try to salvage any intact plastic clips or fasteners that might have come off with the strip. These can be helpful for comparison when you’re looking for replacement parts. Also, examine the extent of the rust damage on the car body. Is it surface rust, or has it eaten through the metal significantly?
2. Consider Replacement Clips and Fasteners:
If the rust damage is minimal and the mounting holes are still somewhat intact, you might be able to reattach the strip using new plastic clips. Automotive parts stores and online retailers sell a variety of universal and car-specific clips and fasteners. Take a salvaged clip with you to the store for comparison, or search online using your car’s make, model, and year along with terms like “rocker panel trim clips” or “side molding fasteners”.
- Process: Clean the area on the car body as best as you can, removing loose rust with a wire brush. Align the plastic strip and push it firmly into place, ensuring the new clips engage properly in the mounting holes.
3. Adhesive Solutions:
For minor damage or if some mounting points are compromised, you can supplement or replace clips with automotive-grade adhesive. Double-sided automotive tape or panel bonding adhesive can provide a strong and durable bond for plastic trim.
- Process: Thoroughly clean both the plastic strip and the car body where it will be attached. Apply the adhesive to the back of the plastic strip, carefully align it, and press firmly to ensure good contact. Use masking tape to hold the strip in place while the adhesive cures, following the manufacturer’s instructions for drying time.
4. Addressing Rust – A More Involved Repair:
If the rust damage is extensive, simply reattaching the plastic strip might be a temporary fix at best. The rust will continue to spread, and the new clips or adhesive might not hold securely in the long run. For significant rust, a more comprehensive repair is needed, which might involve:
- Rust Removal and Treatment: This can range from DIY rust removal using sandpaper, wire brushes, and chemical rust converters to professional rust repair that involves cutting out rusted metal and welding in new panels.
- Body Filler (Bondo): In some cases, after rust removal, body filler like Bondo can be used to restore the shape of the damaged area and provide a solid base for attaching the plastic trim. However, Bondo is a cosmetic fix and doesn’t stop rust; it’s crucial to address the rust properly before applying filler.
5. Seeking Professional Help:
If you’re uncomfortable with DIY auto body repair, or if the rust damage is severe, it’s best to consult a professional auto body shop. They can accurately assess the damage, perform proper rust repair, and ensure the plastic trim is securely and correctly reattached. They can also advise on whether replacing the entire plastic strip is necessary if it’s damaged or excessively worn.
Taking Action:
Don’t ignore a detached bottom plastic part of your car. While it might seem cosmetic, it can leave the underlying body panels more exposed to the elements and further corrosion. Assess the situation, consider your DIY capabilities, and choose the repair method that best suits your needs and the condition of your vehicle. Addressing this issue promptly will help maintain your car’s appearance and protect its structural integrity in the long run.
