Alternative to pricey Mazda OEM door sill window trims

[RETed]

I've been looking for an alternative to the $140+ (best price I can find online from Avalon Mazda - also on Amazon and eBay) per pair set of these blasted door seal trims...

I'm on my second set, and these deteriorate rapidly when new.
The luster on the rubber coating only lasted a few months, IIRC.
This is not acceptable if I'm paying $100+ for these things now!


BEFORE:



AFTER:


These are universal Trim-Lok DDA1501-25 from Amazon.COM.
I paid $65 for 25 feet.

I cut mines to 37.5", which makes for 4 pairs per $65...
Not bad - so it comes down to $16.25 per set!




I cut mines straight on the rears, but you can get fancy and notch it for a better look...

The vertical face has a "lined" texture to it, and my dirty hands just made them look worse.
If you clean them up, they have the normal dull black rubber look to them.
A swipe with your fav protectant (i.e. Armor All) should keep them looking good.

They are not perfect.
The stock ones seal against the face of the window glass - these do not.
There's a 1 - 2mm gap, so this will leak water into the doors; my old, rusted stock OEM ones were so warped, water was getting into the door anyways. :P
If you're worried about keeping it water tight, this might not be a good option for you...


-Ted

[FC Zach]

Originally Posted by RETed

I'm on my second set, and these deteriorate rapidly when new.
The luster on the rubber coating only lasted a few months, IIRC.
This is not acceptable if I'm paying $100+ for these things now!

You are in (what I would consider) extreme conditions compared to those of us further from the equator

Nice find though!

[Pete_89T2]

Originally Posted by FC Zach

You are in (what I would consider) extreme conditions compared to those of us further from the equator

Nice find though!

^This, that warm humid air & salt spray from the ocean in Hawaii is killing your car. Is your FC garaged? I purchased those same OEM Mazda moldings new in Y2K when I got my FC a budget paint job and they still look brand new & shiny. My FC was garaged and lived in NJ and MD since I've owned it, so that may be the difference. Rust never sleeps, and it's particularly restless in humid/salty environments.