removing plastic door sill covers

[johnj]

While I am doing work in the cabin I want to check the condition of the outriggers. I have the centre console and drivers seat out. Do I need to take off the plastic door sill covers? If so how do I remove them ? They seem to be stuck on with some very strong adhesive which I am reluctant to tackle as I am scared the breaking the fragile plastic and do not think I could glue them up as neatly when reassembling them. Is there a knack to removing these plastic pieces.

I will be fitting closed cell foam as it appears the way to go.

[dapinky]

John,

The sill plates are made up of 2 seperate components - a 'base plate' and the 'top bit' (my technical descriptions, not Lotus')

The base plate is first attached to the car with fir-tree fasteners which push into holes in the fibreglass, and then the top bit is attached to that with some double-sided sticky tape.

To remove them from the car I always take them out in one piece by carefully sliding a chisel (or similar) between the carpet and the plastic and levering the fir-trees out of the car. As you work your way along the trim plate it will come away from the car in one piece and can be re-installed in one piece.

Alternatively, once it is out, you will be able to see how it is joined and seperate the two parts on the bench, which will make refitting far better as you can apply direct pressure to the firtrees for a tight fit into the car.

[Simon_P]

It is possible to remove the carpet without takin t cover off.

A bit of careful pulling to get it off and a scraper to tuck it underneath afterwards.

[chrisP]

I found an image that might help you.... however given the age of the car, who knows what adhesive has been used, I would start at one end and 'tease' it away from the car. (the plastic can be glued back together again with a solvent glue)

Chris

[johnj]

Thanks for the pictures. I tried to take the sill cover off but was reluctant to break the adhesive seal on the outside so I have teased up the fir trees to create a little more space and got the carpet out. Only checked the drivers side so far but good news only a tiny bit if surface rust on the bottom seam. Rust stopper it then por15. Job sorted. I have Dinatrolled the inner sills. I have ordered closed cell foam, the old foam was damp. Should I put Dinatrol on the floor?

[chrisP]

No problem with the picture. The floor is GRP so as long as the Dinitrol has seeped through to all the metal work I wouldn't bother, Do however check the area ahead of the pedals as this has a steel bar located in it.

Chris