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Door sill plate covers: replacement and selection

When and why it is necessary to replace door sill plate covers

The door sill plate covers have no specified operational lifetime. Replacement of these components is performed at mechanical damages (cracks, scratches), appearance of corrosive damaging signs (on the metal covers). Moreover, new parts can be required due to severe damaging of old fasteners. Also, if desired, plate covers can be installed during tuning.

Careless driving, operation of the car on poor-quality roads, a road accident can be the cause for mechanical damaging of the door sill plate covers. The inner metal plate covers, as well as outer ones, undergo influence of corrosion due to contact with moisture.

Necessity of component replacement is indicated by appearance of exploitation marks on it, which leads to loss of presentable appearance. And if fastening elements are damaged, then free play of the part will occur.

Before installation of the plate covers you need to clean the mounting area for the component from dirt and corrosion and de-oil it. Special compound or alcohol and smooth cloth can be used for this. If the sill has shears and scratches, then, before installing the plate covers you need to remove defects and then, treat the sill with an anti-corrosion compound.

How to select door sill plate covers

The door sill plate covers are made of metal (aluminum, stainless steel) or plastics. The steel parts look quite aesthetic, and are notable for durability but cost higher. The aluminum plate covers are notable for quicker wear-out. The plastic components have small cost but withstand low temperature and mechanical loads worse. There are plate covers with chrome coating, which have anti-corrosion property, allowing to save good appearance of the covers for a long time.

There are inner and outer sill plate covers. The first ones are mounted inside of the passenger compartment and are visible only after door opening. The second are car exterior elements, as they are mounted outside of the body.

High-quality outer and inner sill plate covers are produced under such brands as Van Wezel, Blic, Diederichs. The components should be selected in accordance with the brand, model and production year of the car, as well as number of doors. The suitable sill plate covers precisely match the type and size of the body or passenger compartment and also sills shape. During purchasing keep in mind that the plate covers differ by mounting method. Some parts can be fastened with the help of a double-sided tape, others – of fasteners, like clips.