Tread lightly

[donandal]

I am going to be putting on new running boards on my 53.
I would like ideas on preventing the paint from being rubbed
off the raised ribs where you step.
Thanks
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[mr48chev]

Long legs that can reach past the running boards work best.

About the only real go arounds I ever had with my dad were due to his putting his cowboy boots on my freshly painted running boards. Every time he showed up at a car show I had the truck at he would promptly hike one foot up on the running board and rest his arm on the bed rail.

Maybe a pad that you can set on the passenger running board for people to use to get in and out would help but there is no total cure for them getting scratched over time except being really careful.

[NEWFISHER]

3m clear bra film
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[dicer]

They used to and I would guess still do. Make magnetic signs to stick on doors of cars and trucks. They are similar to the refrigerator magnet signs. Anyway something like that as a mat of sorts.

[donandal]

I saw a truck that had thin strips of hard wood that ran on top of the raised ribs. I thought maybe I would try some polished stainless steel flat or half round strips on top. Use countersunk small stainless screws to secure it. Some old cars had stainless steel step type strips.
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[crossfire84]

or you could use a spray on bed liner just under the door section, just my .02 cents.

[Speedbumpauto]

All it takes is money. Go to Hotrodmetal.com. I haven't bought them yet but it's the classiest answer to the problem I've seen. The rubber inserts and aluminum ends could work OK, but not the same. You can see those at Customautotrim.com and look for body side moulding. Clever idea and in colors too.

[mechanixman]

What I plan on doing, is painting the ribs, maybe the area between them too, with truck bed liner, then painting the rest of the board with normal auto paint.
Duplicolor bed armor is a nice strong bed coating, that you can paint over. So if you don't mind a crinkle finish, that might be the way to go.

[donandal]

Speedbumpauto,That is the idea....
But wow!
That would be some serious $ to do both running boards
Pretty sure I can make those strips myself for a lot less $
Thanks
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[OrrieG]

Lawn chair...or have the steps powder coated.

[Speedbumpauto]

I've also thought of doing them in aluminum since it's easier to fab with, but the shine goes away easier too. I've also thought of stainless flat stock and countersink some flathead screws to hold them but it would have to be reasonably thick for the countersink idea to work. I think the hotrod ones mounted in the valleys of the boards would stick up just enough for protection, look great and allow the door to close on my 55. I, like you, am struggling with the dollars.....but I've gotten stupid on plenty of other things on this build......

[D-man313]

How low will your truck sit? Mine sits fairly low, and have never once stepped on the running board. It may be because they're not supported but who knows... Mine are also coated with bedliner material so they wont get scratched if i do step on em.

[_Ogre]

Originally Posted by NEWFISHER

3m clear bra film
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aka 3m paint protection film.
i used 2 layers in my step wells
i'm a gimp, i have to step on them when i get in and out of truk
they still look good after 15000 miles