What are the drawbacks of car sill plates?
2 Answers
Aftermarket sill plates are prone to friction with the car door. Since sill plates are attached with strong adhesive, they may loosen or fall off over time. Here are some related issues: Paint scratches: For SUV models, if there are children or elderly family members frequently stepping on the car sill when getting in and out, prolonged friction can cause paint scratches. Installing sill plates can effectively prevent this. Detachment: Frequent detachment of sill plates is often due to improper installation. Before installation, the sill area must be thoroughly cleaned and kept dry. After application, pressure should be applied to ensure full adhesive contact. Using a hairdryer to heat the adhesive can also help achieve complete bonding.
The biggest issue with door sill protectors is the residual damage after installation. When I changed cars last time and removed the old sill protectors, I found stubborn adhesive marks underneath that wouldn't come off even with adhesive remover. Those shiny stainless steel strips get dirty easily too - during rainy days, all the mud and sand from shoe soles get trapped in the grooves, requiring a toothbrush to clean. Over time, I also noticed the edges started lifting slightly, often catching my pants when closing the door. What's more annoying is that during car washes, water seeps into the adhesive layer and gradually corrodes the paint. Now I think going without them is actually more convenient - just being careful when stepping on the door sill is enough. Even if it gets scratched, repainting is simpler than dealing with those adhesive marks.
