I was washing my '01 ls a few days ago and was wondering what i should use to preserve the life on the black door sills on the exterior...The part between the front and rear doors. On my last car those are what faded very badly.


Chris

I hit mine with a coat of wax while waxing the car. Then just keep them clean with qwik detailer in between washes.

the california car duster is helpful too.

Those pillars all fade. I replaced mine with the stainless inserts. They look great. Also LSKonsepts sells carbon replacements. You can check that out. I tried using everything to polish up the pillars before I put on the stainless. Nothing would work.

Those pillars all fade. I replaced mine with the stainless inserts. They look great. Also LSKonsepts sells carbon replacements. You can check that out. I tried using everything to polish up the pillars before I put on the stainless. Nothing would work.

Where'd you get the stainless inserts???

Theres a place here in Tampa called Ideal Automotive Accesories. 813-621-6655. There the only place I could find them. They had them in stock.

I was washing my '01 ls a few days ago and was wondering what i should use to preserve the life on the black door sills on the exterior...The part between the front and rear doors. On my last car those are what faded very badly.


ChrisQ
Well, Chris....there isn't much you can do to clean up the B-pillar frame (between the front and rear doors). No matter what you do, they are going to fade.....its just the nature of them. The best thing you can do is to buy some inserts as is mentioned later on this thread or you can paint them. I've done it many times on various cars. All you have to is scuff up the area with some steel wool. After that, take some adhesive cleaner that removes oil, tar, grease, etc and wipe it down. Let that sit for a minute and mask off the area around the pillars. Go to the parts store and buy some high-glass black paint (John Deere makes some). Apply even coats and you'll be set. It may sound stupid but it works. It takes time but then again, it is cheaper than replacing them or covering them over. It also doesn't look that bad if you use a flat black paint. But, to each his own (I wouldnt recommend this if i didn't think it would work)

Those look pretty cool. How much were they? My lower window sills are starting to look pretty nasty too, I wonder if they make something for that.

Q
Well, Chris....there isn't much you can do to clean up the B-pillar frame (between the front and rear doors). No matter what you do, they are going to fade.....its just the nature of them. The best thing you can do is to buy some inserts as is mentioned later on this thread or you can paint them. I've done it many times on various cars. All you have to is scuff up the area with some steel wool. After that, take some adhesive cleaner that removes oil, tar, grease, etc and wipe it down. Let that sit for a minute and mask off the area around the pillars. Go to the parts store and buy some high-glass black paint (John Deere makes some). Apply even coats and you'll be set. It may sound stupid but it works. It takes time but then again, it is cheaper than replacing them or covering them over. It also doesn't look that bad if you use a flat black paint. But, to each his own (I wouldnt recommend this if i didn't think it would work)
Have you heard of or tried Invisiguard? They are selling it on ebay for the LS pillars but it looks like it is used mainly for protecting headlights. The pictures look good but I don't see how it could "restore" the faded look.

Theres a place here in Tampa called Ideal Automotive Accesories. 813-621-6655. There the only place I could find them. They had them in stock.
Ha ha... I remember the commercial for that place.. Chich with the big boobs on the truck..Such a low budget commercial! :)

i used the mothers spray wax on the sills. with a little elbow they come out nice

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=7970409809&category=50452

Yea...if they aren't too bad, you can shine them back up. There is a point of no return, I found though. I was able to restore my wife's car with no problems. My car needs more attention though.

Are these trim pieces easy to replace?? Reason I ask is because I've got a rather nasty dent in the one in the driver side door. I thought about doing the LSKoncepts inserts, but if those are going to show the dent still I would like to replace the piece first.

The pieces I put on mine just stick over the top. Clean the surface with alcohol, and they stay real well. You get one chance. As soon as they stick. That's it !!!

I was actually speaking of the factory piece. Unless the LSK colored versions are more than a sticker that goes on, in which case I'm not worried about it.

I hit mine with a coat of wax while waxing the car. Then just keep them clean with qwik detailer in between washes.

LOL... Yeah... I usually Wax mine while waxing the car too... LOL

:Beer :Beer :Beer :Beer :Beer :Beer :Beer

I was actually speaking of the factory piece. Unless the LSK colored versions are more than a sticker that goes on, in which case I'm not worried about it.
I'll discontinue the "sticker" version B-Pillar inserts as soon as I receive the new overlays. I received the carbon fiber overlays that you've seen me post before. I'll be getting the gloss black overlays within the next week. Also, I'll be replacing the eyebrows with the new version as well. The only color they'll come in is gloss black but will be paintable. Carbon fiber will be an option too.

I'll discontinue the "sticker" version B-Pillar inserts as soon as I receive the new overlays. I received the carbon fiber overlays that you've seen me post before. I'll be getting the gloss black overlays within the next week. Also, I'll be replacing the eyebrows with the new version as well. The only color they'll come in is gloss black but will be paintable. Carbon fiber will be an option too.

That's awesome. I am fine sticking with the black. So will the new ones be a remove and replace the old one or a install over the old one?? How much will a set cost??

That's awesome. I am fine sticking with the black. So will the new ones be a remove and replace the old one or a install over the old one?? How much will a set cost??
These are an overlay which means they just stick over the existing pillar. They are approximately 1/16" thick. I haven't done any pricing yet but I would expect the eyebrows to be around $40 a set and the B-Pillars around $75. Of course that's all tentative pricing and the quality of these will MUCH better than the vinyl.

These are an overlay which means they just stick over the existing pillar. They are approximately 1/16" thick. I haven't done any pricing yet but I would expect the eyebrows to be around $40 a set and the B-Pillars around $75. Of course that's all tentative pricing and the quality of these will MUCH better than the vinyl.

Keep us posted! I'll have to at least order a set of the door trim pieces.