Here are a couple of pics of the brushed stainless inserts I finally got installed. First I removed the sills and had them powder coated in what they call a hammertone finish, kinda like a wrinkle finish but not as rough. I ordered them without tape because by themselves they are thick enough to fill the depression left when the rubber insert is removed. I installed them with caulking adhesive so they fit flush now. I had ordered both brushed and mirror finished, found I like the brushed finish better plus it hopefully wont show scuffs as much. Anyone who wants my extra set of mirror finish for $100 PM me, or Ill just keep them for spares. I got them from Jaime at http://www.carztuff.com/ and I have to say they are first quality work. Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login
Dave, I'm also looking to powdercoat my door sills. Many have said they are difficult to remove without bending them beyond recognition since they are glued down. What process did you use to remove them? I was thinking a heat gun to help soften the glue. Would appreciate any tips you have. Steve
It ain't easy, took about a half hour for each, the first one was a problem because I didn't know about the screw under the rubber mat, but once I knew how, the second one came off perfectly flat. Use a 10 inch long, one inch wide, thin cake spatula, tap it in with a hammer and lever it back and forth sideways. Just keep doing it as you work along the sill. You might try lubricating it with water, I didnt, but that might help. Its vital that you never pry upwards, only sideways. You can put something as big around as a pencil under the sill as you work along to help, but dont lift up much more that that. There are three screws under the weather stripping, and one under the rubber mat about two inches from the rear edge, peel back the rubber mat and you will see it. You dont have to remove the door weather-stripping, just lift it up to locate the screws. There is one little dab of rubber glue at the very forward most corner of the sill. Hope this helps. Dave
Great Dave! It's nice to see someone else take the plunge first. I do have a friend who is in auto body work. He recommended a vibrating blade device used by glass installers. Looks sorta like a Saws all device. The spatula thing with maybe some goo gone or a heat gun might speed up the process. I'll let you know if I try it. Steve
Steve, I wouldn't try any kind of saw, the bonding material they used is a grey rubber like material, probably a silicon caulking compound. Goo Gone or heat should have no effect on it. It was still very flexible when I got the parts separated. The cake spatula really worked very well on the second one after I got the hang of it, you need one long enough to reach all the way to the threshold. I'd guess I could do one sill in 15-20 minutes now. When you get the sill off just use a razor blade to scrape off the remaining silicon from the car and the sill.
Thanks, I was just referring to a saws all as a reference. The unit is actually a long vibrating knife blade, no teeth. The spatula sounds like it worked for you so I'll give it a go. Steve
My door sills are also going to other hunting grounds. My problem is.........the screws under the weather seals are so rusty you can not get a screw driver in the "X" . What to do???? Grind them down and then drill them out, or just leave them where they are and drill new holes???? My sills are covered with some plastic paint. Is that common or have they been refurbished before? //B//
The paint is normal, I wiped mine down with MEK which had no effect on the paint. As for the screws, try tapping on the screwdriver lightly with a hammer as you are turning, and be sure its the right size screwdriver.
