BlueRunner428
New member
So I noticed the bottom part of the door well where you step into and out of the vehicle is getting scraped. Must be from when I place my feet there when exiting the vehicle. Is there any way to fix this?
Scraped Bottom of Door Well
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Don't step there?
Humble Leader
Senior Member
unfortunately it's a poor design by toyota. the plastic protector trim piece only covers a part of the door sill. you can pull the plastic piece off and put some PPF film down but eventually it will get scraped up too from rocks/boots
the 'don't step there' solution posted above is probably the best idea lol. also stepping onto that plastic sill will cause it to bite into the paint and chip it away so ya don't step on it if you can avoid it
look up door sill rust 4runner and you will see posts/threads about it
BlueRunner428
New member
I step there to avoid stressing the seat too much when exiting the vehicle.
BlueRunner428
New member
Will try to post some tomorrow or the next day.
BlueRunner428
New member
For the part where it is scraped, is there a way to fix that? Like touch up paint or an auto body shop?
Humble Leader
Senior Member
it really depends on how bad it's scraped. when I installed my brake controller is the first time that plastic trim had been removed in 10 or so years. it wasn't as bad as I had thought but paint was definitely missing. not much rust though. all I did was polish the exposed areas to clean the bare metal, use touchup paint pen and then sprayed some fluid film around the holes where the plastic clips push into and where the plastic sits on the metal. it is what it is, there is only so much you can do. they should have made the plastic go all around the sill. sand, rocks, dirt will get in between the plastic and the paint on the front edge and scrape away the paint. if you're tall enough stepping over that sill is a good solution
if my vehicle were somewhat new or newer I'd remove that plastic and put PPF down all on the front edge and then reinstall the plastic. a small strip of PPF like that is easy to install. I'd do it for all 4 doors - mine wasn't bad at all so I didn't bother and so much of the area is already chipped I doubt the PPF would adhere that well
BlueRunner428
New member
Mine is new, a 2023 with 5,500 miles currently. I didn't want to be stretching the side edges of the seat excessively while exiting the vehicle, so I put my foot on the door sill bottom to take the load off the seat as I exit. Unfortunately this is now wearing the paint there. I suppose I need to get nerf bars or rock sliders or something to be able to step on.
BlueRunner428
New member
Okay well I can't get the image to upload from my phone. It keeps saying upload failed.
This forum has a limit on the size of the photo file you can upload. Use a photo editing app to reduce the file size (resolution), then it should upload.
BlueRunner428
New member
I see what you mean. I guess I am tall enough that I don't need to put my feet there. Also, I have running boards where I can put a foot if needed. (If you get running boards, be sure to get the ones with a rubber top, not plastic. The plastic ones can be very slippery when they get wet.)
Some people get the predator steps, but they hang too low and can get damaged if you do serious off roading.
Double_M
Junior Member
I have put some 3M protective clear vinyl tape film (after touching up). Just this past winter, I noticed that there was some rust coming at the door sills trim where sand, etc. gets underneath and rubs over time. It wasn't too bad, but wanted to nip it in the bud now.
Spent a good part of the day removing trims, little bit of rust, touch up painting and once paint was dry, put the protective film enough to cover past the door sill trim and past the painted edge to protect the paint. Kinda wish I knew about this and would have put the protective film earlier on and then not have paint to touch up. Ah well, live an learn.
Link to another post (mine was not near as bad though):
Door Sill Rust
Spent a good part of the day removing trims, little bit of rust, touch up painting and once paint was dry, put the protective film enough to cover past the door sill trim and past the painted edge to protect the paint. Kinda wish I knew about this and would have put the protective film earlier on and then not have paint to touch up. Ah well, live an learn.
Link to another post (mine was not near as bad though):
Door Sill Rust
Humble Leader
Senior Member
BlueRunner428
New member
For where mine is scraped, should I fix that with touch up paint?
Humble Leader
Senior Member
like a paint pen? why not, it's better than nothing. give it a wipe with some isopropyl alcohol and touch it up. it will definitely be better than not doing anything
BlueRunner428
New member
I see. Wasn't sure if there was a way to have it professionally fixed at some point.
Double_M
Junior Member
I'm sure you could have it professionally done, but for how much I look down there and after touching up myself, I have to really be looking to notice. I guess it comes down to personal preference and skill and what I personally find acceptable to live with.
I don't like the toyota pen, but have used this Duplicolor touch up kit as there is a brush, clear coat and pen, but you can use a toothpick and let the paint fill into damaged space. There are lots of youtube videos out there and typically prep is key, but its not super complicated.
I picked it up from my local auto parts store; this is the product: Scratch Fix All-in-1™ Exact-Match Automotive Touch-Up Paint – Duplicolor
I'm sure there are others, but this was what was available locally and quickly.
This is the protective film tape I used: https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B073XR8YD8?psc=1&ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_product_details
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