Aluminum Door Sill Scuff Plates
OK, lets have a show of hands, how many of you have plastic covering your living room couch? Hummmm I see.... Oh come on, I know there are some of you out there. Well, even if you won't admit it, this post is for you! :nod: I ordered my 94 with the Aluminum door sill option. So, for the last 24 years I have been carefully lofting my shoes over the sill to avoid scratching the soft aluminum with moderate success. Also, for 24 years at work I've been staring at the Patco 5560 removable film that we apply to protect optical lenses during shipping. Today, after 24 years, I had an epiphany! What if we combine the film and the sill? No more shoe lofting and no more accidental scratches! So here is the result of my experiment: https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rx7...50189778c6.jpg Whats that hat you say? You don't see anything? Well, that's the idea isn't it? It's not really visible until you get very very close like this: https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rx7...5a15626df3.jpg See the edge at the top? Had I not been lazy and brought the tape all the way to the end you would have an even harder time seeing it. It took me a few tries to get the sill dust free and the film applied bubble free, but no worries you have 108 feet on the roll to play with. I bought the 2" wide roll, to just cover the top where most of the scratches were, at this place. |
https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rx7...d400927c9.jpeg
Dont have to worry if you have them new in the box and never install them lol but anyways. Good fine !! |
Beautiful
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Very nice!
I imagine you could also use that clear bra stuff they use on the front end of car to protect from rock chips and whatnot. Might even be worth getting a quote from a local shop that does clear bras, they could probably do it with off cuts for a reasonable price. I assume this didn't cover or hide existing scratches? Dale |
Originally Posted by DaleClark
(Post 12280187)
I assume this didn't cover or hide existing scratches?
You assume correctly. I do like this tape over other tougher sticker tapes (I tried 3 different types) because it peels off very easily and is very stretchy when you apply it. If it begins to look a little long in the tooth, just peel it off and stick another piece on. Once you learn how to lay it down without air bubbles the whole process from pulling the old tape off to laying down the new tape takes less than 5 minutes. |
Originally Posted by DaleClark
(Post 12280187)
Very nice!
I imagine you could also use that clear bra stuff they use on the front end of car to protect from rock chips and whatnot. Might even be worth getting a quote from a local shop that does clear bras, they could probably do it with off cuts for a reasonable price. I assume this didn't cover or hide existing scratches? Dale |
I bought a very good condition used set a few months back. I am going to send them to a chrome shop and they are going to hopefully chrome them for me. Anyone have any experience with these chromed? The shop owner states he has done dozens of other scuff plates for mostly antique cars but hasn't done these before. He also stated the way they prep these so that all of the scratched or mildly grooved areas are filled in for a smooth finish.
Thanks Mike |
A chrome shop could definitely do it, anything metal they can stick chrome to.
The only thing I would think about with that process is the RX-7 logo not being gold afterwards, don't know if that's an issue for you. Also the finish will be a lot shinier - mirror finish. The plates are a satin finish of course. But they will be VERY durable, chrome is extremely hardy. Dale |
Yes, the gold letter portion would be gone. I guess you could try to use some gold stain that is used for stained glass and glass bulbs. It would likely stick since it is solvent based, but might scratch off easily.
Mike |
Originally Posted by mikejokich
(Post 12280260)
I bought a very good condition used set a few months back. I am going to send them to a chrome shop and they are going to hopefully chrome them for me. Anyone have any experience with these chromed? The shop owner states he has done dozens of other scuff plates for mostly antique cars but hasn't done these before. He also stated the way they prep these so that all of the scratched or mildly grooved areas are filled in for a smooth finish.
Thanks Mike https://i234.photobucket.com/albums/...s/IMG_0152.jpg https://i234.photobucket.com/albums/...s/101_2416.jpg |
They look really nice. I think black chrome would look good too.
Mike |
how do you mount these? I really don't want to use rivnuts or cause permanent damage to my cars body, would double sided tape work as well?
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Originally Posted by mkiv98
(Post 12280747)
how do you mount these? I really don't want to use rivnuts or cause permanent damage to my cars body, would double sided tape work as well?
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I just mounted mine with double sided 3M tape and havent had any issues.
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What did those scuff plates cost you? I'm curious as I need one and can't find them online. I see the black ones all day long.
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The original OEM scuff plates were a dealer option, they are LONG gone new. Only source would be finding a good used set.
They ALL scratch up by the way. Big time. It would be near impossible to find a like new mint set, it's just going to be how much scratch/scuff/dent you can deal with. The carbon fiber ones out there are decent fit/finish and look good and hold up well. I have had them on my car for ages and they still look great. Dale |
Yep, I've never seen a set that looked new. Love my RE Amemiya sills, but if a minty fresh OEM set came on the market, I just might have to swap em. :)
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Installed new in 2015 with 3M clear protective film...still like new.
https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rx7...51e5de4b51.jpg |
Damn Tom, that is definitely the way to do it. Too bad Mazda didn't have that film to put on them new in the '90s!
Dale |
Dammit. Thanks a lot, guys. Now the search begins...
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Originally Posted by DaleClark
(Post 12473951)
Damn Tom, that is definitely the way to do it. Too bad Mazda didn't have that film to put on them new in the '90s!
Dale |
I have a decent set stashed away in the garage somewhere, I wish they were made out of SS like the MX-6 sills.
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Not only do these things scratch and scuff easily, they dent easily. They are made of very thin, soft aluminum, so your knuckle or your knee will leave a permanent impression. My car came with them installed from the dealer, but I bought a second set for future use because they are so fragile. The new ones were protected during handling by a frosty plastic film.
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^ Yup, one reason I never install them. I might just keep them in a box as part of the part collection lol.
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I have them....and they are scuffed up.
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