[igs]

What's with the hokey weather stripping all along the bodykit side and rear?

 

[Gotcha]

If you are just talking about the little black weather stripping, I don't think that is a big deal. Ultimately, there isn't much you can do about that. It is what it is.

 

[igs]

Yea that strip in the seam where the kit meets the body. It clearly costs more to have that there. It's as if they screwed up on the body kit and end up costing less to add the strip than fix the body kit.

 

[S-Factor]

It's not too noticeable and you have to be pretty closely to the iM to be able to spot it.

 

[Gotcha]

I don't think that it was a mistake. I don't really care too much about it in the end. In person I bet its even less noticeable.

 

[ToddMS]

That's on most of the aero packages with Toyota. If you look at the rocker panels or front "spoilers" for a Corolla S, they are there - the fender flares on the last body style Rav4 has them - it is just a thin "lace" (what we call them here in the body shop) to keep the pieces from rubbing against each other and rubbing paint off.

 

[igs]

it is just a thin "lace" (what we call them here in the body shop) to keep the pieces from rubbing against each other and rubbing paint off.

Ah, that makes sense, thank you.

 

[HIDPH]

Toyota/Lexus/Scion vehicles equipped with factory appearance accessories/kits come with the weather stripping. This provides better fitment with the body panels and bumpers (flush). Basically all the high quality aero parts come with the weather stripping, while aftermarket aero parts often do not come with weather stripping and could put marks around the bumper area over time.

Big aftermarket tuning companies like TRD Japan and Mugen (Honda and Acura) include the weather stripping for their bodykit pieces as well! =)

 

[Nick Prescott]

It keeps sand, grit, and grime from getting between the urethane and eating away at the 3m adhesive strips.

 

[Gotcha]

So I take it that you are going to find this "stripping" on most makes of vehicles then? Are there companies that don't use it or is there an alternative?

 

[S-Factor]

it is just a thin "lace" (what we call them here in the body shop) to keep the pieces from rubbing against each other and rubbing paint off.

Wasn't aware of this either. Thanks!
Not sure if there are alternatives to weather stripping but if you really hate it that much you can try painting it to match your car?