55.2-59 inner step protection after paint?

[56 3100]

just curious what everyone is doing for paint protection on cab steps to protect the paint? Ogre mentions 3m fim protection . i see it on amazon. just wonder what other ides are out there?

[duramax55]

i had got some amazon clear vinyl for somthing else but it was so thin that i never used it. on my truck i made some aluminum strips that i polished and put down in the divets.

[dsraven]

if you go to a pace that does the 3m clear protectant stuff for cars they may have an off cut they would sell you it is pretty durable but not sure if it is what I would use on the steps as it does show scuff marks from my experience with it. if you want something that is a little grippy and only would go on the high spots you might try the grip tape for showers and tubs as it comes in strips at home depot and is sticky backed. I used it on the nose of my tournament boat so the kids wouldn't slip when getting in and out. I think it is called 3m safety walk. bass pro and others also sell something called gator skinz if a grip tape is something you would consider, it is not like sandpaper style grip tape. a lot of boat guys are using a foam product called ultradeck or seadek on the floors of the boats. it is pretty durable and would also stop outside noise pretty well. they cut a profile on the edges with a router. sticky backed as well. you could google or amazon search.
I have thought about the polished aluminum as well but my truck will be a daily driver and I will use the step a lot so I think the polish would only look good for a short time on the high spots. carpet will attract and keep moisture so I will likely not go that route. a sticky backed thin sheet of rubber checker-plate may be ok but not very showy and may have an odour for a while.

[mongocanfly]

I had considered getting my step area done with colormatch bedliner, i talked to he bedliner guy, he showed me is truck...he had the 3M film on his ..it looked great and you could hardly tell it was there..I'll probably do the same

[_Ogre]

I've had the 3M paint protection film on TRUK steps for 12 years and 36,000 miles. It's held up rather well. It's always dirty cuz of the location. There's 1 scuff towards the top of the picture, cause unknown. The film can be changed, I'm not worried about it. I have kids at shows in the TRUK all the time, plus I'm a gimp and have my foot on the step getting in and out of TRUK

[_Ogre]

Wet sand your step before you do the 3M film
Don't even ask...

[MiraclePieCo]

I step completely over the running boards. I go directly from the ground to the interior floor, never touch the step with my feet. ADs a bit different, but still the same principle: Skip the step.

[56 3100]

Originally Posted by _Ogre

Wet sand your step before you do the 3M film
Don't even ask...

wet sand help stick better? do you have a part number you used?

[_Ogre]

Originally Posted by 56 3100

wet sand help stick better? do you have a part number you used?

I did ask you not to ask... Wet sanding will make it lay better

3M paint protection film, settle for no substitute
Amazon sells it, the backing paper will say 3M

@MPC: I would if I could. I have no choice

[mr48chev]

Originally Posted by MiraclePieCo

I step completely over the running boards. I go directly from the ground to the interior floor, never touch the step with my feet. ADs a bit different, but still the same principle: Skip the step.

I used to do that with my running boards but I am almost 40 years older now and may not be able to handle it quit as well but I sure am not ready for the aluminum step plates.

[68shortwide]

I had planned to just use a spray-on bedliner once the metalwork and paint prep was done. That said, the plan for mine is just a general use truck. I'm not trying to win awards with it so I'm completely okay with the trade-off of protection and traction vs appearance. Ymmv