Cleaning/Rustproofing Behind Rocker Moldings
 

As you are all aware, the SS Chevy Cobalts have a plastic rocker molding that attaches to the lower rocker panel. On my old Z24, this was a breeding ground for trapping SHIT and eventually rusting out the panel. Granted that car was decades old and driven through salt and snow, but an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure in this case.

Has anyone removed these plastic panels and cleaned behind there, and then maybe applied wax to the paint and/or a rust proofing agent like fluid film? Seems like a good idea if you plan on keeping your car longer than a few years.

DISCUSS!

Interesting ideal, is the rocker clipped on or screwed on?

Both.

Quick, someone pull their rocker moldings off and post pics of the carnage!

Every time I've removed my inner liners, everything was spotless (minus some dusty dirt).

Not a bad idea to try for you year round drivers.

So would you recommend I buy a set of clips prior to removing the rocker?

I'm a year round driver and I'm sure there is a lot of stuff loaded in there. Wouldn't be a bad idea to look into modifying the drain holes or getting a better seal on the upper edge

So would you recommend I buy a set of clips prior to removing the rocker?

I'm a year round driver and I'm sure there is a lot of stuff loaded in there. Wouldn't be a bad idea to look into modifying the drain holes or getting a better seal on the upper edge

The wheel well liners? That area is not really prone to rusting aside from the tops of the rear shock towers. Easy to spot problems early on.

I would pull your rocker moldings off if you haven't already done so. If you're going to hold onto this car for the long haul it's better to be safe than sorry!

Pic of what I am referring to:

I have... same thing as the wheel well liners. Just some dusty dirt that simply wiped away.

Helps that I don't drive my car in the winter.

That's good.

What's involved with the removal of them? I know there are screws at the front and back, but how are they held on? Looks like plastic push pins.

Yup, remove the screws at the corners, and pull the pins. Just take your time so you don't crack the clips or the rocker.

You don't happen to have a part number for the clips? I know my luck I'll break some

I do not. Shoot Tom at CED an e-mail.

You can get the black push pins in the HELP! section at advance auto. They're also pretty cheap at the dealer.

The clips which I'm assuming are inside the molding are probably dealer-only. They're also on CED's website, just type in rocker clips. Or call Tom.