Sill badges protective film

[DigbyM]

I’ve just bought a 2022 C200 which is in pretty good shape, no obvious signs of abuse.

One thing I’ve noticed is, the front sill chrome badge strips have a clear plastic film covering that seems to be curling and lifting at the ends. Would I be right to assume that the plastic film is just a protective cover, akin to the covering you’d find on a brand new phone or tv screen, that should probably have been removed by the supplying dealer when new?

It’d probably look nicer if I just removed that film but it’s odd that it’s still there at nearly three years old, would be a shame to remove it if it’s meant to be there.

 

[SmartAmg]

Almost certainly, its protective film. What does it look like, what you can see under the film that's lifted, Chrome? Any pics?

 

[daveenty]

Yes, it's for protection and can be removed. Mine also had this film on the boot trim.

Just bear in mind that the polished alloy covers, which the film is protecting, are scratch magnets and will mark as soon as you look at them.

Ask me how I know

 

[DigbyM]

Ok thanks. I’ll pluck up the courage to remove, and ensure nobody is allowed to enter the car wearing anything below the knees other than ultra soft woollen socks.

I found another discussion on a detailing site (not MBs) that suggested, if left too long, such film might cause damage when removed or at least leave a nasty residue. Mine seem easily peel able, for now at least.

 

[BTB 500]

I've seen that film left on all sorts of things including wheel centre caps. It's always come off cleanly.

Actually my father in law arrived in his GLC yesterday (6 or so years old?), and I noticed the boot lip trims on that still had the protective film on!

 

[MikeInWimbledon]

I bought a twelve year old estate a decade ago that had the same protective film on its tailgate, and I've certainly bought other cars with door protective film still in place.

As @daveenty implies, you might want to resist the temptation to "peel" as the scratch plates will immediately get scratched after you pull off the protective layer.

Myself - I always pull off the plastic

 

[harrygatto]

I also have a 2004 Toyota Crown Estate which still has these protective films in place, the previous owner had it from new and never removed them. I may remove them just before selling or may leave them in place to maintain "originality", some people like that.

 

[John N]

I’ve just bought a 2022 C200 which is in pretty good shape, no obvious signs of abuse.

One thing I’ve noticed is, the front sill chrome badge strips have a clear plastic film covering that seems to be curling and lifting at the ends. Would I be right to assume that the plastic film is just a protective cover, akin to the covering you’d find on a brand new phone or tv screen, that should probably have been removed by the supplying dealer when new?

It’d probably look nicer if I just removed that film but it’s odd that it’s still there at nearly three years old, would be a shame to remove it if it’s meant to be there.

Still got the Film on Mine, 3 Years Old last November!

 

[ALFAitalia]

Why leave it on to keep it nice for the next guy while you have to put up with looking at naf plastic??? Its like people who don't drive there amazing car much to keep the miles off it.....which is like not sleeping with your super model girlfriend to keep her tight for the next guy!!!

 

[ChrisHGTV]

I bought a twelve year old estate a decade ago that had the same protective film on its tailgate, and I've certainly bought other cars with door protective film still in place.

As @daveenty implies, you might want to resist the temptation to "peel" as the scratch plates will immediately get scratched after you pull off the protective layer.

Myself - I always pull off the plastic

I actually think peeling off that plastic is one of life’s great joys. Especially if the plastic has gone a bit manky.

 

[DigbyM]

Thanks for all the replies.

On balance, I’m inclined to remove, as the trim will then look nice for a while at least wheras with the protectors in place, it’ll always look tatty.

But… I’ve also noticed that the rear sills, while owned by original owner, have both picked up a couple of scratches in the unprotected paint, so I see what people mean about being vulnerable to damage. Not major, but into the paint.

It’s almost as if children had been allowed to sit in the back seat, which was never disclosed to me when I bought the car. But I doubt whether the selling dealership would sympathise much with me on that one.

 

[DigbyM]

Bit the bullet, sill films removed, looking far nicer for now at least. Just a teeny bit of residue left behind which came off with a single wipe.

Since I was in the mood, I also plucked up courage to remove the original dealer’s 3 years old advert from rear window. Arguably, these stickers are part of the car’s heritage and can be left in place but I dislike them and anyway, it was curling away at the edges and looked tatty so off it came, gently peeled, having softened in the currently hot sunshine. An ultra careful wipe with glass cleaner and residue was gone too. Don’t think the heating elements suffered any damage, but I’ll find out for sure next misty day.

 

[SpikyMikey]

Dealer stickers and numberplates tend to be removed from the Spiky fleet...unless they offer me a commission for doing their advertising for them.

 

[MikeInWimbledon]

Bit the bullet, sill films removed, looking far nicer for now at least. Just a teeny bit of residue left behind which came off with a single wipe.

Since I was in the mood, I also plucked up courage to remove the original dealer’s 3 years old advert from rear window. Arguably, these stickers are part of the car’s heritage and can be left in place but I dislike them and anyway, it was curling away at the edges and looked tatty so off it came, gently peeled, having softened in the currently hot sunshine. An ultra careful wipe with glass cleaner and residue was gone too. Don’t think the heating elements suffered any damage, but I’ll find out for sure next misty day.

Your heating elements are safely under glass: no problem there.

 

[DigbyM]

Your heating elements are safely under glass: no problem there.

That’s good to know. As said the sticker came off ok, and I spot-cleaned the remaining residue. But I’m betting the ‘clean spot’ will stick out like a sore thumb in the right light, whereupon I’ll want to do a ‘proper’ clean of the entire inside surface of the window.

 

[MikeInWimbledon]

That’s good to know. As said the sticker came off ok, and I spot-cleaned the remaining residue. But I’m betting the ‘clean spot’ will stick out like a sore thumb in the right light, whereupon I’ll want to do a ‘proper’ clean of the entire inside surface of the window.

Good man ! You're among friends here....

 

[BTB 500]

Your heating elements are safely under glass: no problem there.

Remember little bottles of conductive paint to 'fix' broken HRW elements?

 

[MikeInWimbledon]

Remember little bottles of conductive paint to 'fix' broken HRW elements?

Dang ! Whoops, you're right. There was I, thinking that we'd left those days behind.

I haven't had that kind of problem for decades now.

I didn't realise it was still a risk for cars made in the 2020's....

 

[DigbyM]

Dang ! Whoops, you're right. There was I, thinking that we'd left those days behind.

I haven't had that kind of problem for decades now.

I didn't realise it was still a risk for cars made in the 2020's....

This is the first car I’ve bought in a decade and a half, I’m facing a learning curve.

 

[HappytalkAgain]

@DigbyM

Are you the biggest dog in the world?