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Protect your vehicle and others when you park with these top car door edge guards
By Mike Knott, Scott Roepel
Updated on Apr 14, 2021 9:42 AM EDT
6 minute read
Best Overall
Winunite Car Door Edge Guards
Check Latest PriceBest Value
MATCC Car Door Edge Guards
Check Latest PriceHonorable Mention
EJu0026#x2019;s Super Car Door Edge Guards
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Opening and closing your car doors can be a pain in a parking lot. You have to be extra careful to not hit the vehicle next to you. Slamming a car door into a neighboring vehicle can be a costly expense, but fortunately there are ways around it. The best edge guards can prevent any unwanted dents or paint chips and protect your door in the process. Check our guide for some of the top door edge guards you should consider.
Benefits of Car Door Edge Guards
- Protect your vehicle. Car door edge guards are meant to prevent or reduce the number of door dents and scratches. This works to keep your vehicle free from damage. Since they are attached to the rim of the door, they act as a buffer to soften the impact the door has when it contacts other objects.
- Prevent harming nearby cars. Opening your door can sometimes be impossible to do without resting it on the vehicle next to you. A strong gust of wind might blow it into the other vehicle. With an attached door guard, the chances it will leave a mark, chip, or paint scuff are reduced.
- Reduce stress. Door edging trim can also reduce your stress levels when getting in or out of your vehicle. You don’t have to worry as much about your metal or plastic doors damaging other cars.
- Improve resale value. Part of owning a car means you have to take care of it properly. One day, you may want to sell it, and any sign of wear or tear can reduce its value. Damage to the doors can also cause rust to form, and fixing that can be costly. Installing door guards ensures your vehicle won’t develop any dents or rust, saving you money and increasing the car’s resale value.
Types of Car Door Edge Guards
Adhesive
Adhesive door edge protection is applied to the door with a long-lasting and powerful tape. It goes on like a sticker with double-sided tape. The material can come in a roll that can be cut to fit the entire length of your doors, or it can be a single piece of plastic or soft bumper material. Tape door guards feature double-sided tape that is easy to remove and apply directly to the vehicle.
Cling
These door edge guards are made of a durable and thick rubber material to hold tightly to the side of your vehicle’s doors. There is a small groove that fits snuggly to the metal or plastic on your doors to ensure a secure fit. The rubber compound is flexible, enabling it to be stretched around corners or curves.
Top Brands
3M
3M began as Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company in Northern Minnesota in 1902. It helped create Scotch tape and developed the reflective coating for highway signs. Today, it also focuses on car wraps and door guards to help customize and protect your car. One door edge protector it makes is the 3M Door Edge Protection Film.
ATMOMO
This company is responsible for creating and designing a number of accessories for cars and motorcycles. While ATMOMO specializes in light kits and effects for vehicles, it also makes a number of trim guards to ensure your car door is dent free. The ATMOMO Light Black Car Door Protector Bumper Guard is one of its top-rated guards.
Car Door Edge Guards Pricing
- Under $10: You will find the majority of tape door guards in this price range. However, each one will typically be a thin piece of plastic or bumper-like material that absorbs impacts instead of a roll or strand of material.
- Over $10: Here is where you will find rolls of both adhesive and cling-type door guards. These are the most common and perhaps the best at protecting your vehicle. Typically, the longer the roll, the higher the price of the guard.
Key Features
Length/Size
One of the most important factors when installing a car door guard is how much you need. The size and length of a spool or roll can range from a few feet to 32 feet and well beyond. You can also find individual strips to place anywhere on the door. If you just want to protect the driver’s side door, then you won’t need much or may just need one strip. Protecting each door or more space on the door will require either more material or extra strips.
Material
Door guards or trim guards are made up of a durable plastic or rubber material to absorb impacts. Think of the plastic as if it were your vehicle’s front or rear bumper. It may appear weak but is designed to withstand pressure and hits. Rubber is more pliable and is capable of bouncing off of objects without leaving an impact.
Other Considerations
- Compatibility: You will want to ensure the guard you are purchasing will fit properly on your vehicle. Some may not be designed for certain SUVs, trucks, or cars. This can be due to the design of the doors.
- Style: Door guard protection will change the look of your vehicle. After installing the material, the doors will either have a black or clear trim around them.
Best Car Door Edge Guards Reviews & Recommendations 2021
Best Overall
Winunite Car Door Edge Guards
Best Value
MATCC Car Door Edge Guards
Most Durable
EJ’s Super Car Door Edge Guards
Best Universal Fit
CloudBuyer Car Door Edge Guards
Best for Black Vehicles
TRUE LINE Automotive Black Door Edge L Shape Molding Kit
Honorable Mention
32ft Car Door Edge Trim Molding Rubber Seal Strip
Honorable Mention
Edge Trim Black U Extrusion Plastic Edge Protector
Honorable Mention
3M U Shape Rubber Car Car u0026amp; Truck Parts Door Edge Guard
Honorable Mention
EEEkit 4Pcs/Set Auto Car Door Edge Guard
Tips
- When installing certain types of car door edge trim, consider using a rubber mallet to gently tap it onto the edge of the door.
- Leave out the strand of rubber or plastic in the heat for a few minutes to help stretch it out. This will allow you to form and mold it more easily.
- If a pair of scissors won’t cut the material, you can use a more powerful tool, such as wire cutters or industrial-strength scissors.
FAQs
Q: Is a car door edge guard strong enough to prevent all dents?
A: While it is designed to reduce the amount of impact caused by a door against another vehicle, it may not prevent all damage. If you open the door with extreme force and collide with a vehicle next to it, you may still get a dent or ding. It’s meant to act as a barrier against normal wear and tear.
Q: Will a door guard ruin the paint around the car’s door?
A: Door guards will not ruin or damage the paint they are wrapped around. They act as paint protection and prevent chips and scratches while also protecting the area the cover. They can even be used to cover existing damage to hide it.
Q: Will the weather impact the look of door edge guards?
A: While rain may discolor the plastic trim, it should not impact all types of guards. If applied correctly and snuggly, the weather should not affect the functionality or design of the trim.
Q: Can I remove the door edge guard from the car?
A: Yes, you can easily remove the guard by peeling it off with your fingers. Any leftover tape can be washed off with soap and water. You may even be able to reuse the guard again on a different vehicle.
Q: How can I tell if a guard will fit my vehicle?
A: You can consult your specific car, truck, or SUV’s owner’s manual. It will have the dimensions and sizes of the doors, hood, and trunk so you can match it with the type of guard you are considering.
Final Thoughts
For one of the best trim door guards to protect against dings, scratches, and dents, consider the Winunite Car Door Edge Guards. You can also check out the MATCC Car Door Edge Guards and save a bit of cash while still getting a high-quality and long-lasting door guard.
