The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Paint and Body Shop Runningboard protection

Were the original boards just painted? Seems to me that they had some kind of rubber non-skid pieces to both protect the paint and ensure you didn't slip when getting in or out. Am I imagining this? If not, where do I get those reproduction rubber 'treads' for my longbed boards? Thanks!!!

FredB,

1950 GMC - right?

Check any of the parts vendors for running board step plates. I do not think the AD running boards had rubber mats as were found on many older car/truck running boards. American Classic has an after market GMC plate and an original style safety tread plates.

http://www.americanclassic.com/asp/...&iyear=1950&ytype=to&exyear=

Has anyone installed the original-style plates? There is no pattern for marking the holes. How did you locate the holes?

Thanks,
Tim

This is a topic I'm interested in also, but I am curious what other 'bolters here have used. Photos wood be nice.

I'm thinking about pulling my boards off and having them painted, and I looked online but really have not seen to much out there. Right now I have a long rubber pad that looks ok but I think I would like a small one only where you step in, but I'm open to ideas/thoughts......

I use these: http://www.oldchevytrucks.biz/p/1947_1955/fullpage.php?page=122&session=1043077
They are antislip covered step plates and they look very good.
You can see them on my web page.
rick

Rick; Those look really nice!! I looked at Kook's GMC and looks like he has the same ones on his truck. Looks like a pretty easy install, what all is involved???

Thanks!!

Phillip;
Greetings again! I just purchased a pair of aluminum GMC logo plates from Tom Langdon. Put this on last weekend and they look pretty sharp. If you call him up, he can email you a picture. I'll try to take one for you also.
Mike Stark

Rick,

Those are the plates that I asked about above. Did you have a pattern for drilling the holes? Any tricks or advice about installation?

Thanks, Tim

Howdy Mr. Mark!! How are you and your truck doing? I like those plates you are talking about, but I went ahead and ordered the plain jane stepds from Jim Carter, the ones are "factory" look alikes. So when do I get to see you and your truck????

They are VERY easy to install, the hardest part is drilling your freshly painted runningboards.
Measurements are included with the plates but basically, I placed them where I wanted them and gently tapped the step plates with a rubber mallet. That leaves an imprint in the runningboard's paint (yikes!). I drilled those locations using a bit size that would allow a certain amount of 'play'. A dab of paint in the freshly drilled holes is mandatory.
These plates look very nice over black paint and are more subdued than the cast stainless (or aluminium) plates.
whizzerick

I have been wondering if anyone has powder coated running boards? Seems it would be a lot tougher and still have a nice gloss finish. Wonder if they would stand up to the heat in the baking process.

I have been considering masking off a nice little rectangle and coating it with that "Rhinoliner" or similar bed coating. Hopefully it would stand up to the abrasion and provide a non-slip surface. Also wouldn't have a metal frame around it with screw hole to rust. What do you guys think? Not authentic, but black liner on a black running board wouldn't really be all that noticeable, would it?

Whiz, those treads are nice....I was looking for something that ran most of the length of the Board, since my kids can't seem to step in the same place twice. Might just decide on annual respray!

The Duraliner idea is interesting too....let me know if anyone tries this!

Thanks!

I have had my step plates on for over 10 years and they are fine. I did re-spray the bottoms with rustoleum because they were not as good as I had hoped, but they have held up extremely well with zero rust and zero wear evident.

I find that I step over the running board 90% of the time anyway. As far as kids stepping all over the boards, you might find that now is the best time to educate your kids that antique vehicles (and ALL vehicles) are to be treated very carefully; never climb, touch, or step on them without first being invited to do so. My oldest child was 3 when I finished painting my '51 and he learned from the get-go to look but not touch. Spent yesterday with K-10 and his son (7) walking around Barrington and that kid never put a finger on a truck the whole day.

Teach em early and teach em right Fred.

The aluminum step plates AND the original replacement type are shown on at least 1/2 dozen trucks on my photos pages of shows. Check them out.

I like the plates Rick's got on ... all the "Chevy" plates I've seen are way too small for my taste -- seems like you'd miss 'em half the time!

I've been concerned about this, too ... I'm gonna be painting my truck soon and I don't want to be steppin' on my freshly painted running boards - I wear cowboy boots with steel cleets on my heals!


I'm thinkin' about putting wooden strips that match the wood I use in the bed (when I re-do my bed this winter). I'm also considering screwing them in from the bottom of the running board, plus putting RTV under the wood when I screw 'em in -- that should keep the water from getting underneath, and screwing from under the runningboards will keep water from seeping down the screws, eh?

It's either that, or securing rubber strips with an epoxy or something (no screws at all).

http://www.thomasregister.com//Comp...amp;narrow_text=&pn=8356 0359&r c=27&sid=0308190207327000028001BW2&uuid=TRGuest

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http://www.ytmag.com/nboard/messages/125849.html
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Rubber treads can be deceivingly slippery when wet

Here is another option, for the discriminating Bolter:
[img]http://buy.overstock.com/images/products/L32334.jpg[/img]
They are anti skid AND cushy!

You have won my heart!!! I like the fish!!!!

I'm not real big on the plates, I really like the clean look of my fresh running boards, but I had a thought...just bought a new car and had that 3M Clearbra installed. What do you Bolters think about having it cut and used only on the high part of the ridges of the boards. I wonder how it'll hold up to the abrasion and how hard it would be to replace...Here in Colorado we don't use road salt(thank God), but instead drop sand. Problem is it pitts the crap outta the front end of any vehicle, and the Clearbra keeps things looking perfect. Might be slippery, but that's an OK tradeoff for me, I don't use the boards ever anyways, and I don't have my 51 out in the rain often. Whatcha think?

What about masking out the high-spots (strips) and painting with somthing "grippy?"

I coated my '49 running boards with Rhinoliner, and they turned out great. No wear at all, and best of all it hides all the (little) dents so you dont have to try to body putty them all.

*i did all this with brush on Rhinoliner*

Brian K

p.s. i also Rhinolinered the inside of my bed (not the wood or strips), and the front splash pan. All worked out wonderfully, and i would suggest this to anyone not going for 100% original.