3rd Gen door sill protectors install

So I ordered the door sill protectors and they came in the mail today. I didn’t realize they were stick on so it was time to figure out how to do it. I searched and couldn’t find much useful information so figured I’d post my install. I decide to install them like tint/vinyl decals. By no way am I a professional but it’s really easy for a DIY guy. At Lowe’s there is a kit for window tint that comes with the solution spray (few drops of dawn in warm water)and a nice squeegee and some more things you won’t need (I had it left over from tinting my house windows, MS sun is HOT). You will need that, some good paper towels, alcohol, and maybe a measuring tape if you’re OCD like me.


I strongly urge to at least buy a good stiff squeegee. Credit card is fine for vinyl stickers but it will not work for these as you will have to bend the outer edge.

First step is to clean the area with alcohol, if you do it this way (wet way) make sure so clean under weather seal really well. I used a old toothbrush.

Once they are clean I put them on dry (leave sticker back on) to get an idea of where I wanted them. On the back I measured 1.5” from the back of the door plate and on the front I aligned the front of protector with the first line on the front of the door plate. I was happy with the placement so time for install.

Spray the door seal with solution and make sure to cover it well. Don’t slouch on this or it will wind up sticking.


Next peel the back off the protector and soak the sticky side with solution


Now place it on the door seal, and slide it in place. Make sure to push it underneath the weather seal to where it’s even. There will be about 1/2” hanging off



I will tell you I found it much easier to pre bend the protector before installation. It made it much easier.



Now once you have it in place start to squeegee the water out.
I started at the center and worked my way out on the top first. Make sure to wipe up water after every pass of the squeegee.



Once you get most of the water out it works best to wrap the squeegee in the paper towel and squeegee to collect most of the water



Once you have the top pretty much stuck, now comes the hard part. It was a PITA to get the bend down part to stick. I found it easier just to use the paper towel and my thumb and index finger rubbing back and forth to get it to stick most of the way. Once it’s stuck you can squeegee down the rest of the water out.



Now that it’s stuck. Clean up the remaining water and close the door. ** make sure the edges are stuck before you close the door!!
Try not to open the door for 24 hours. If you do just keep an eye on them to make sure corners don’t pop up. They turned out great, and I’m very satisfied with the outcome.






Don’t have pictures of the back as
I didn’t start taking any until they were finished. I’m sure there are things I could have done different but this worked best for me.

 

To me the sill protectors and bed mat are a must. My sill protectors were a port option along with the floor liners.
So now that they're there. You going to do the color letter insert?

 

I just got my truck back after having rust fixed in all 4 door sills. I'm wondering wether these would help, or hurt by trapping moisture under them. I think i'm just gonna get some clear 3m vinyl and put it there.

 

Nice write-up. Link to buy these?

 

Nicely done my friend. I did the same about 9 months ago. I popped the floor molding up and peeled back the rubber door seal. Seemed a bit easier to align that way. But your method works well too.

 

I think those just may be next for sure.

 

I bought them off eBay. I think you may can get a few dollars off other places but I have PayPal to burn.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/GENUINE-TA...vMAAOSwU-pXrhmn:sc:USPSFirstClass!39567!US!-1

 

I was afraid of it not aligning so I started in the back. It didn’t want to at first but when I forced it in it aligned perfect. But it had to be soaking wet to move easy

 

If you get a good seal with no bubbles I don’t think you would have a problem. If it was stressing just use a heat gun and they will lay down twice as easy I’m sure.

 

Ordered! Be here Nov 2nd. Thanks!

 

I'm gonna have to think about it. Most of my rust was along the pinch weld under the weather striping and plastic cover, but long term I can see the sills themselves needing protection.

Is this for all 4 doors, or just the fronts?

 

That link was for all 4 on a double cab. Reason I ordered was my tundra is literally just steel left. Only reason it hasn’t rusted is because of steadily getting out of it 10-20 times a day. But now I have a new truck I’ll have to paint and cover mine on the tundra

 

I did mine today too. Great addition. Here's the instructions that I found:

 

I didn’t see those but that would work as well!

 

Nice write up OP. Do you think the solution is necessary? I ask because there’s a video floating around of a guy that puts these on dry in like 5 minutes and they look bubble free. I still have mine in my garage waiting for me to install them, kind of like my new wheels and tires, but I’m afraid I’ll screw them up. Lol.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=4nXh1S2W0JU

 

It’s completely up to you. I just know I’m terrible installing dry at anything I’ve ever done sticky. If you have steady hands and some tape to make sure you’re lines are good then by all means do it dry. This is just a fast way I found to do it without removing the seal and door plate. The good thing about installing wet is, is you screw it up. It comes up a lot easier to redo.

 

Thanks, I appreciate it. I’m so ridiculously OCD until this kind of stuff sits forever before that “perfect” day for that “perfect” install. I’d be interested in seeing some pics of you rear sills installed if you don’t mind. I’ve seen different folks have them in different places and I’d like to get as close to a factory look as possible and your fronts look dead on. You did a great job.

 

Thanks I’ll post some tomorrow when there is some light. I didn’t have anything from factory I just winged it on what looked best to me and most relevant

 

Here are the rear protectors. I measured 1.5” from the rear of the door plate.