Door Sill Rubber

[bpossel]

Hello All!

I removed my rocker panel covers this past weekend.  Have to brag a bit...  only some minor surface rust under the covers.  But...  lots of dirt!  Especially lots of dirt in the larger drain holes close to the rear wheel wells.  Looks like this is a maintenance item that should be done periodically.  Only had 3 screws that required me to drill them out.  The rest came out nicely.  Have ordered all new stainless screws to replace the old ones.  Also have the rocker panel covers at the body shop for new rock chip paint and then final coat in satin black.

 :?: Question...  Is it true that the replacement door sill rubber only comes in black?  The old ones that I removed (very brittle and fell apart...) were a dark brown.  Sort of matched the dark brown color of my canvas top.  New black rubber sills arrived today and just look a bit odd in black...  

Does anyone have any knowledge of these new replacement sill rubbers?

Thanks!
Bob

bpossel  (Memphis, TN.)
'71 280SL  /  '97 E320

[Douglas]

Bob,

We're talking about the ribbed rubber pieces on the bottom of the door threshold, correct? I believe they're only available in black, but I know people who have sourced similar material in the flooring department at a Home Depot, believe it or not. It's pretty unremarkable stuff, so if you really have your heart set on brown, then look beyond the dealer. It's got to be out there.

Douglas Kim
New York
USA

[Bob G ✝︎]

Bob.
The only color I now availible is black. A 300SL gullwing enthusiast retairer told me they were orginally grey on for his  250SL. I suppose there may of been differnt colors at one time , but like Henry Ford said" you can have any color  , as long as it is black".

Bob Geco

[bpossel]

Thanks Bob & Douglas for your comments.

Yes, these are the ribbed pieces on the threshold.  I guess I will just live with the black color.  Will take time to get used to the different color.  If it had been in black to begin with, probably would never have known the difference :?: .

  Thanks again!
Bob

bpossel  (Memphis, TN.)
'71 280SL  /  '97 E320

[waltklatt]

Bob,
Look at the undersides of the brittle rubber.
The color changes when exposed to the air, sunlight and cleaning chemicals.  
On my former 1968 280SL, ir had the original carpet in charcoal multiloop, but it faded to a darking mottled green color, but was black and grey under the trim and oddments tray, etc.  
Walter
1967 220SL-diesel

[rwmastel]

I have brown square weave carpet with brown floor mats and brown door sill covers.  I dread the day they all need replacing because I'll probably never be able to get brown floor mats and door sill covers again.

Rodd
Powell, Ohio, USA
1966 230SL, Euro, Auto, Leather, both  tops
1994 E420

[Ben]

Would it be possible to paint/dye them ?

Surely a paint suitable for vinyl would work no...?

Regards,
Ben in Ireland.
'64 230SL 4sp.

[66andBlue]

quote:Originally posted by Ben
 ... Would it be possible to paint/dye them ?

Yes Ben,
it is possible to paint rubber. Our sailing club uses a product called "Rubberbond" sold by PARASOL to spruce up the boats and gangways, it comes in different colors.  Most likely one of them will match Bob's or Rodd's beloved brown: http://www.parasolinc.com/ColorChart/index.asp

They also sell "Varicote" for vinyl dying. Problem is that they don't sell small quantities. They also sell to the detailing market and I wonder if Mike Salemi might be able to get smaller quantities, just enough for 2 sill rubber plates, or window crank inserts.

Alfred
1966 blue 230SL automatic

[dreyer635]

As an alternativ I used stainless steel plates, bought them from www.carpartsdiscount.com (not shure if they have them anymore.) My old plastics was destroyed when removing them.

Kjell
SL 280

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[rwmastel]

quote:Originally posted by dreyer635

As an alternativ I used stainless steel plates,

Very nice!

Rodd
Powell, Ohio, USA
1966 230SL, Euro, Auto, Leather, both  tops
1994 E420