DIY - Refurbishing Door sill/scuff plate
#17
Burning Brakes
Just what I was hoping for! Thanks. I priced out the skid plate. Like almost $200. Funny story I priced out a local Porsche specialist shop to paint my calipers. His quote was $950. I did it for the cost of a can of caliper paint and some time of my own. I'll do the same with the skid plate ....the cost of the can of paint. Great post.
#18
scrapbook
Mrzoop,
Great scrapbook!!!!!
Wish I would have taken pics of everything I ever owned but it's too late at this point..
Loved the TR and the MGA's.. My God they were a pita to keep running!
regards,
al schafer
Great scrapbook!!!!!
Wish I would have taken pics of everything I ever owned but it's too late at this point..
Loved the TR and the MGA's.. My God they were a pita to keep running!
regards,
al schafer
#19
Well done...
Many, many, thanks for this write up. I just bought a 2008 997 TT and the previous owner really scuffed up the sill. It was driving me nuts and the dealer wanted a fortune to fix it. Your technique worked like a charm and took less than a 1/2 hr.
From your original write up, I missed that under the caps you would not be able to see the bolts inside/underneath the sill. After I popped them off, it took me a bit to find the bolts with the wrench. I did wuss out (the cracking plastic ran me off) and not remove the frunk buttons. Just masked them out. My before (it looked much worse in person) and after pics attached.
From your original write up, I missed that under the caps you would not be able to see the bolts inside/underneath the sill. After I popped them off, it took me a bit to find the bolts with the wrench. I did wuss out (the cracking plastic ran me off) and not remove the frunk buttons. Just masked them out. My before (it looked much worse in person) and after pics attached.
#20
Three Wheelin'
I repaint the entire interior of my car monthly with Ace paint - the only way to get rid of all the nicks in the flimsy covered parts.
#21
Burning Brakes
I've searched numerous Ace Hardware stores for the Flat Black lacquer with no luck. Went online and you have to buy a case =6 cans. Any idea where I can get a single can??
#22
Porsche Nut
Rennlist Member
Rennlist Member
#23
Nordschleife Master
mine came messed up from factory on my 09, had em swapped out at dealer.. they last a week before it looks like crap.. i hate this coated plastic stuff, its everywhere, even on full leather interiors.. wish they would cover it all with the 4k full leather... instead of nickling (500$) and diming (1000$) on these random bits in leather.
#26
Can't access screw
Great post, I cant seem to get my Allen key to reach the screw closest to the rear seat. I managed to get the front screw loose, it's just that the rear screw doesn't have enough access as the seat is in the way. Has anyone had this problem too?
Refurbishing / Restoring the Porsche Door sill/scuff plate.
Porsche Speak > lining door sill driver's side > { 997 551 019 04 }
In reference to the dreaded door sill or scuff plate that we all try not to drag our big feet over when entering and exiting any of the 997 and later 987 series Porsche vehicles. Every one of these cars seems to suffer the same fate. Worn or scuffed up entrance sills. I'm specifically referring to the ones that capture the Frunk and Boot release switches, part number { 997 551 019 04 }. The current price for this in the states with shipping is in the $200 range. I suppose it should be considered a wear item but it can just end up looking so ratty I wanted to try to make mine look better before shelling out the bucks till I really needed to. Here's what I found out... as crazy as it sounds, these plastic items appear to be 'painted' with a flat black lacquer. Actually it’s probably a combination of plasticised rubber with a lacquer base which becomes a spray-able slurry. How do I know? Don't ask, but let’s just say that after ‘researching’ solvents to try to clean mine up, it turns out to be lacquer based. A big light bulb goes off in my head and about 45 minutes later I've got a brand spanking new door sill/threshold plate. It was so easy just about anyone can do this. So if yours’ is driving you crazy every time you get in and out, here's an inexpensive and quick solution...
#3 is the culprit with encapsulated frunk and engine cover switches.
#1 is a small button/cover to be removed for access to the internal (#2) 5mm Cap Screw.
The 5mmcap screw does not need to be removed! Its purpose is to clamp/hold the plastic body of the sill plate and switch mechanism to the chassis. Loosening these 2 cap screws is all that is necessary for removal of the unit.
Upon loosening the 2 screws, firmly and gradually pull the entire sill upwards. It will be held in place by a number of small plastic friction clips. These clips should easily release without breaking.
Upon removal of the assembly, you will then need to unfasten the connecting wire for the Frunk/Boot release from below.
At this point I would suggest removal of the complete switch panel from the assembly. This should be done from below on an appropriate bench by prying the fixing clips from the underside using a medium flat blade screwdriver. This can be a bit finicky so be patient.
With the sill plate removed and disassembled, it's now time to wash with a cleaner of your choice to remove any silicone or oil before painting. After cleaning or other prep work, I recommend surgical gloves to protect the surface for painting.
Here in the states we have Ace Hardware stores readily available and this is the paint that I recommend as it is an exact match to the look of the original material.
Ace Flat Black Lacquer (this is wonderful stuff and dries in minutes).
Keep in mind that the word LACQUER is the key here.
Throw down a sheet from the spare bedroom, prop this puppy up on a spare hunk of wood and spray a few long wide passes from the shaky can. Don't over-do-it here, just a few light passes are all that's necessary. The thin paint will flow perfectly into the texture of the plastic and in a few minutes you should have a brand new unit that's ready for re-installation. If you really feel overprotective you may want to top-coat this with a flat clear lacquer. I let mine dry for an hour or so and here are images of the results along with others for your reference.
I have heard that torx head cap screws might also be used here.
Porsche Speak > lining door sill driver's side > { 997 551 019 04 }
In reference to the dreaded door sill or scuff plate that we all try not to drag our big feet over when entering and exiting any of the 997 and later 987 series Porsche vehicles. Every one of these cars seems to suffer the same fate. Worn or scuffed up entrance sills. I'm specifically referring to the ones that capture the Frunk and Boot release switches, part number { 997 551 019 04 }. The current price for this in the states with shipping is in the $200 range. I suppose it should be considered a wear item but it can just end up looking so ratty I wanted to try to make mine look better before shelling out the bucks till I really needed to. Here's what I found out... as crazy as it sounds, these plastic items appear to be 'painted' with a flat black lacquer. Actually it’s probably a combination of plasticised rubber with a lacquer base which becomes a spray-able slurry. How do I know? Don't ask, but let’s just say that after ‘researching’ solvents to try to clean mine up, it turns out to be lacquer based. A big light bulb goes off in my head and about 45 minutes later I've got a brand spanking new door sill/threshold plate. It was so easy just about anyone can do this. So if yours’ is driving you crazy every time you get in and out, here's an inexpensive and quick solution...
#3 is the culprit with encapsulated frunk and engine cover switches.
#1 is a small button/cover to be removed for access to the internal (#2) 5mm Cap Screw.
The 5mmcap screw does not need to be removed! Its purpose is to clamp/hold the plastic body of the sill plate and switch mechanism to the chassis. Loosening these 2 cap screws is all that is necessary for removal of the unit.
Upon loosening the 2 screws, firmly and gradually pull the entire sill upwards. It will be held in place by a number of small plastic friction clips. These clips should easily release without breaking.
Upon removal of the assembly, you will then need to unfasten the connecting wire for the Frunk/Boot release from below.
At this point I would suggest removal of the complete switch panel from the assembly. This should be done from below on an appropriate bench by prying the fixing clips from the underside using a medium flat blade screwdriver. This can be a bit finicky so be patient.
With the sill plate removed and disassembled, it's now time to wash with a cleaner of your choice to remove any silicone or oil before painting. After cleaning or other prep work, I recommend surgical gloves to protect the surface for painting.
Here in the states we have Ace Hardware stores readily available and this is the paint that I recommend as it is an exact match to the look of the original material.
Ace Flat Black Lacquer (this is wonderful stuff and dries in minutes).
Keep in mind that the word LACQUER is the key here.
Throw down a sheet from the spare bedroom, prop this puppy up on a spare hunk of wood and spray a few long wide passes from the shaky can. Don't over-do-it here, just a few light passes are all that's necessary. The thin paint will flow perfectly into the texture of the plastic and in a few minutes you should have a brand new unit that's ready for re-installation. If you really feel overprotective you may want to top-coat this with a flat clear lacquer. I let mine dry for an hour or so and here are images of the results along with others for your reference.
I have heard that torx head cap screws might also be used here.
#28
Rennlist Member
Guys my door sills were f'ed up pretty badly as well. I really appreciate you taking the time to do this as I was thinking about replacing the sills but painting will be much cheaper.
I wanted to let everyone know I just ordered this paint from Amazon "Krylon K02519000 Fusion For Plastic Aerosol Spray Paint Flat Black" which apparently is the same brand which the OP posted but different model. It's $10 per bottle.
And the one OP posted is for sale on Amazon as well (for 6 pack as mentioned earlier) for less than $30 so it is a very good bargain!
The prices on Amazon seems to be reasonable compared to other websites. I looked at Sears and the price was over double! Which is surprising considering it's the identical product.
I wanted to let everyone know I just ordered this paint from Amazon "Krylon K02519000 Fusion For Plastic Aerosol Spray Paint Flat Black" which apparently is the same brand which the OP posted but different model. It's $10 per bottle.
And the one OP posted is for sale on Amazon as well (for 6 pack as mentioned earlier) for less than $30 so it is a very good bargain!
The prices on Amazon seems to be reasonable compared to other websites. I looked at Sears and the price was over double! Which is surprising considering it's the identical product.
#30
Rennlist Member
You can get a regular length allen head wrench in the rear hole - I move the seat all the way forward and then insert at an angle. ALso, found that a ball seat allen head wrench worked best in trying to get the wrench head seated in the screw.