cerino2000

I installed the door sills tonight. They really make a nice improvement to the car. They were about $70 shipped from Fred Beans.

Some tips:

Use a hair dryer on the old sills to soften them up and get them off. I ran it back and forth apx 3 inches from the sill for a few minutes. Once they were warm to the touch, I was able to use a fingernail to get underneath.

Once you have a grasp on one of the edges, pull straight up. I found that if you grab the end and pull straight up at like a 90 degree angle to the sill, most of the glue will come up with the old sill which is that much less that you have to clean up.

If you try peeling it back like nearly a 180 degree angle, most of the glue stays on the car and it is a drag to clean.

To get rid of the glue, go to home depot and get something called Goo Be Gone. I got the one that came in the spray bottle. I sprayed a little puddle about every 3 inches along the length of the sill and then smeared it over the entire glue area and let it sit for about 5 mins. It took three times to get it all off. In between, I would use a paper towell to wipe the last dose of it off. With each application of the goo be gone, more will come off with the paper towell which will eventually leave no glue. Finish the cleaning off with soap and water and then finally the alcohol swab they give you. Then use the hair dryer to make sure it is dry and warm for applying the new ones.

The new ones are held on via a sticky backing and it is REALLY sticky. The sills are kinda flimsy. When lining them up, go with the edge closest to the interior. The edge of the sill on the outside edge is wider at one end than the other. When taking off the old sills, pay attention to the gap between the top of the sill plate and the edge along the interior side of the sill area. Try to get the new ones on at this same gap distance. Stand the new sill plate up on it's edge, get it at the right gap and then lay it down. Beware, once this sucker is down, it's down so you gotta get it right the first time. There is no second chance. Also, I put tape at the right and left edge of the old ones before taking them up only to find that the new ones are a tad longer. I chose to pull the tape closest to the front fender and go with the other one as my mark.

Anyways, here are the before and afters for each side.

SteveM10

They look very nice on your car.

vettejoel

looks great...one of my first mods

Onyasix

I've got the same door sills. This is what GM should have done with the stock ones.

cerino2000

I totally agree. The only problem with these is they might be one of the most under appreciated mods ever since you get to see them only when opening and closing the doors.

Jagcvette

Thanks for the write up. I have a set at home and will follow your tips when installing.

SC TROJAN GRAD

great.

ben dover

Nice work.

gilbybarr

Nice looking change.....good job.

Pipedreams

Nice job, always look foward to your mods because of the great instructions

jnx911

Looks great, thanks for posting.

cmb13

Do they scuff? I don't mind the stock sills, except the fact that they look like sh*% when they're all scuffed up.

cerino2000

Thanks. I always look forward to your mods...for the great mods!

Cmb, I will have to let you know. Honestly, my old ones didn't have any scuff marks on them. I do make a conscious effort when getting into my car not to drag dirt in so I kick my shoes to shake anything loose off and then swing my legs in. That may be why.

obie1

Did the same thing when I put my door sills on. The directions said to use "mineral spirits" but like you I used "puddles of Goo B-gone and paper shop towels (blue ones). I have to agree with you its one of the "least" appreciated mods. But they sure do look nice when you open up the door. I love them, and no I haven't seen a scuff marks, I think they are just a little better quality material.

I would of posted pictures but my vette is black also, so it would of been like posting a picture of an empty beer can. Nice but I didn't enjoy it!!!

double eagle

Excellent info - thanx for sharing

dark_phantom

They look great.

Z0SLIK

Low Rider

Got a set I am waiting to put on. The instruction says it should be 80 degrees and if I wait for 80 in Michigan it will be June before I can install them I have a heated garage does anyone have any experience with cold weather installation?? BTW cool mod particularly on the black car..

cerino2000

It was like 40 here when I did it. Use the blow dryer to make sure that all surfaces are warm when you install them and they will be fine. Once you get them on, run the blow dryer on them again to seal the deal.

vettnutt

Looks cool on the darker colors. Kinda pointless on my Machine Silver...