Technical should I put a step plate on Clarence's new running boards?

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(stolen from this thread by Hivolt5.0)

Like many folks I really don't like the looks of them, but what can you do to protect your running boards? For the first time in the 46 years I've had him Clarence will have newly painted running boards. I will NOT paint any signs on them saying "don't step" or such.

I've heard of using bed liner but think that would be pretty kitschy.

What do you other truck owners out there do? Anyone know what Ford did originally?

b-t-w; paint will be single stage Washington Blue with no metallic or clear coat.

 

Ford let you step on them! I would be undecided what to do. I don't really care for the plates. So I guess step on the running boards. That is what they are there For!

 

When I asked what Ford did I really meant did they use different paint or coating?

But thanx for taking the time to read and post.

 

Powder coat them maybe? Pretty tough stuff.

 

I'd leave them off. If eventually you wear a hole in the paint, then consider installing something to cover it...but not those ugly damn plates!

 

No offense intended but the Ford step plates look like a J C Whitney add on accessory, it's a truck keep it simple. HRP

 

running boards are meant to be used. They were paint.

I hate those builds where someone can't dare get near it. The steps look cheesy to me, those came on prewar cars, not postwar trucks

I have more fun by letting kids & adults have fun with my car...why not?

here is mid afternoon today ...I don't know these people, but there are two cute grandkids in my car, having a blast...one adult male was telling the little boy to stop pushing the gas pedal, "because you are making gas go into the carburetors" LOL ...then he starts playing with the multi-folding green antique gl*** sun visor...his sister is hamming it up with her arm out the window like John Milner! I said "hey look, she is a HOTROD girl!" She smiled big on that.

my boards are white vinyl, and yes they do get stepped on, get dirty, but how the heck can you get in without?

I;m done going to shows...I lost all interest... I get way more out of the places I go to now, meeting people.

By the way, the woman in the blue stripes shirt, said her 75 year old Dad was a Nascar pitcrew-man for decades..he recently gave up his two "Mopars" she said. She took pics for him.

 

My vote is no

 

No, on second thought HELL NO!


Bob

 

I agree that I won't be putting step plates on.

I doubt that I could ever match the color with powder coating.

I won't be using bed liner.

Is there something that the painter can put into the paint that will make it more impervious to damage?

edit: WOW, there were several replies while I was typing.

 

React violently to the first offender, word will get around, and it won't happen again.

 

Model T ******** ignition coil?

 

Don't do it. Can you get that material they make magnetic signs out of and stick it on your running boards? It probably comes in a color to match the paint. Still a tacky solution, but at least quickly removable.

 

HRP said it best, if this is a poll. My vote is no if that makes a difference. Do what makes you happy, it's your pride n joy right. . .

 

I never considered a step, or any kind of protection on the running boards on my '40.
Personally never cared for the "steps".
I figured they would eventually show wear, but if it got to the point of bothering me, I'd re-paint them (advantage of painting your own vehicles, you typically have left over paint for "touch ups" that inevitably require attention).
My p/u is by no means a "show car" though.

 

No!!!

 

Don't like them.

 

Tuck'n'Roll

 

They make a clear spray on rubber like protectant. The high end exotic car owners use to protect the front of there cars from rock chips. I would check on that if your worried a out it. You just pell it of and re apply as needed....

 

No step plates for me. I guess I'll just touch them up occasionally.

 

Your out of options if powder coat or bed liner are ruled out, maybe a lot of clear coat, personally if it was me I really wouldn't worry too much about.

Back when the monochrome look was popular I painted the running boards on my truck and when I drove it over to a show,I came back to the truck to have lunch and someone had stood on the running board and scratched the paint, I was a little upset but Brenda said if I wanted to keep the truck perfect I needed to leave it at home in the garage.

I had the truck for several years and there were scratches all over the running boards,battle scars if you will, when I decided to sell the truck I sprayed black bed liner and it work great. HRP

 

Single stage black
Easy to touch up in the future if need be

Even single stage blue
You won’t be painting it weekly
I would be surprised every 3-5 years before it needs attention.

 

Please, NO step plates

 

This is a sound at***ude. I may be wrong about this, but my recollection is that running boards on F-1's were black. regardless of body color.....let'em get scratched...plan on repainting now and then.

I like a 'nice car', but no matter how careful, stuff happens....It still bothers me some, but I want to enjoy the car, and potential or actual damage, comes with the territory.

Ray

 

I sprayed the running boards on the produce truck with this:

https://www.amazon.com/Raptor-Ureth...&sr=8-1-spons&keywords=raptor+bed+liner&psc=1

The more air pressure you put to it, the finer the droplets. Mine have held up well. if they start fading back, just spray them with dollar store pledge wood polish.

 

My go to window tint place has some newer stuff called XPEL paint protection film. It is the stuff that they use on front fenders, hoods, etc., to protect from rock chips. If you look really carefully you can seem the seams but it is tough to find them.

I'm going to try it on my painted running boards on my '37 Chevy project. If it will protect paint from gravel from a dump truck it ought to project my running boards from a kid with rocks stuck in his sneakers.

Now I know that this is not traditional but if you can't see it, it's ok, isn't it?

 

Isn't that the same as "if she doesn't tell......?"

Putting all seriousness aside, that's a great idea. I have that on an OT car and it seems to work as claimed.

Ray

 

This is what I was talking about above.....

 

My solution is to open the door and swing your leg high enough to avoid stepping on the running board.Zero chance of damaging them !

 

What about just strips of 1/8 inch aluminum on top of the individual ridges, or a rubber coating on top of the ridges.