How To Clean Scuffs From Door Sills and Door Panels?
by Todd CooperiderLet’s face it…chances are very good that you will get scuffs on your door panels and door sills from getting in and out of the vehicle. Even if YOU are careful, your passengers may not be!
Most of the time you’ll find that these scuffs are a simple transfer of dirt, rubber, or dye from shoes, and they can be removed with very little effort.
I fully subscribe to the theory of using the least aggressive method first, so let’s start there! Probably my most used product for this is Meguiar’s All Purpose Cleaner Plus. I keep a bottle mixed at 10:1 for light interior cleaning. Simply spray some on your general pupose MF towels (different from the ones you use on the paint), and rub the affected areas. You may have to repeat the process, but usually the scuffs and ground in dirt (plastic door sills) will come out with moderate effort.
If you find that the scuffs are a little more challenging, go more aggressive and try using a Magic Eraser that is readily available at most grocery stores. Dip the Magic Eraser in water, spay it lightly with Meguiars All Purpose Cleaner, and work the area. Since the Magic Eraser can be pretty aggressive, I only recommend using this combination on plastic…not vinyl or leather.
If you have any additional comments or questions, please submit your reply in the comment box below.
I have a 2000 explorer that have allowed the sun to totally fade it’s door panels. I paid my way obtaining a BS IN FINANCE detailing used vehicles for 5 different dealerships back in the ’80s, but know that cleaning products have evolved 100 fold since then. What would u recommend I use to bring these door panels back to life. It only has 84k miles, but I am now disabled and must sell for monetary reasons. It’s a beautiful white 4×4 w/grey interior (door panels faded grey aswell). I’d rather not paint/dye the panels as this process never lasts & I don’t want to deceive the new owner w/a quick sell. I’ll be detailing this beauty myself, and want it done right! I’m hoping for a product that after I clean them will restore the fading, like the “new fade” products airing on TV that show faded bumpers ect., returning to like new and lasting for quit a while. Any suggestions? I need as much $$ as possible on the sale of my one owner beauty and when u open the doors one thinks of neglect. That couldn’t be farther from the truth, NO GARAGE, that’s the truth. Please help, Frank.