The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Paint and Body Shop Running Board Finish

Making some long range plans for my 1949 3800 One Ton and determining what all is going to go where. I will be finishing my 3800 DRW with flatbed in the following manner:
Cab, hood, grille - Cape Maroon
Fenders, running boards - Black

I am planning to have the wheels powdercoated black (my level of gloss is still undecided)and wondering if it would be advantageous to also powdercoat the running boards from a durability standpoint versus painting.

Oddly enough, my running boards have one small dent between the pair, even though the remainder of the truck looks as though it had been used for a drum. So they are a good candidate for powdercoating.

So, basically, would I be better to paint with the same finish system as the other body panels (epoxy primer plus bc/cc) or powdercoat?

I know both will look right, as I see no reason not to match the level of gloss in both of the colors. However, in determining the durability, that is where I am most curious. I never plan to walk around on the hood or fenders, but will step regularly on the running board when getting into the truck.

I have an industrial powdercoater who does other work for me and does a fantastic job. Curious to hear personal experiences or opinions for or against. Thanks

I'm curious as to what you come up with also. Not to confuse things, but another option is a quality bedlinder. You would not slip and they would hold up well to 'stuff'...

I'd like to see other folk's input also.

Here are a couple of Stovebolt threads on the subject:

1) Old post. Unfortunately, the Stovebolt software deleted Denny Graham's first reply to the thread. Best I remember, he told the type of paint that he used and reported that it held up well.
https://www.stovebolt.com/ubbthreads/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=806693#Post806693

2) More recent thread. Includes a lot of stupid questions by me, but good answers.
https://www.stovebolt.com/ubbthread...Main=129528&Number=877300#Post877300

I went through this quandry last month. Was gonna shoot with 2K Urathane. Ran into some spots that needed body work. Ended up having the body shop shoot them. They tried Urathane with a flattener twice, but had bad results. They finally shot with premixed "Hot Rod Black." Don't know the brand or other info. It is shinier than Semi Gloss, but not as shiny as true automotive Gloss.

EDIT: The problem was with the flattener, not the urathane.

I did not have mine powder coated because I don't know how repairable it is.

I did not use bed liner because I did not want a krinkle / rough finish. Couldn't find a bedliner that laid down smooth.

'Course that brings up the problem of scratching my newly painted boards when I step on them. For now, I'm going the nerdy way by laying some rubber pads on them cut from tool tray liner. Then remove when I'm inside.

And then there's my super nerdy NO STEP sign to use at shows to keep the rug rats from climbing on.

Regarding dents in your boards. No wonder they look better than your truck. Those things are like cast iron! I tried to bang out some dents in mine. The body shop tried to also. Both of us failed. Used filler, like was in them before I stripped them. Never knew that it was there.

DMG - I'm out on the bedliner. I like the functionality of the bedliner, but I just don't care for the look of it on this project. I have a Jeep that I have more bedliner on than paint - durable, easy to keep clean, doesn't show scratches, etc. Not going to mesh on the old truck.

Lonnie - My understanding and experience with powdercoating is that it is non-repairable. However, if the prep is done right, and the powder is applied heavy and baked well (not like the powdercoated stuff from china that is barely a mil thick and flakes off in an instant) I know powdercoat can be scuffed and painted over (done it) but it was on a sign for a business, not a running board.

I'm thinking that I may just go with the powdercoating route, as an experiment for all the stovebolters.

Now, should I match the gloss of the black fenders, or do a semi-gloss? Thoughts...

I believe you are right on the bed liner. After consideration, I don't think it would look right with an older truck.

This is what I thought would be kind of neat to use on our running boards
http://www.woolies-trim.co.uk/c-113-aluminium-sections.aspx

but I have not found a vendor on this side of the pond. I have seen the all stainless strips but I would assume they would scratch too over time. The other problem with this idea is that I really don't want to drill holes in my running boards. Perhaps they make some that are attached with super strong dbl side tape??
In the mean time, for my little boards, I get that magnetic sign material, cut to fit and spray on some rattle can undercoating for a removable step cover.

Thats interesting Bill. Looks like the same stuff they use on boats to protect the leading edge of the bow. I'm like you and wouldn't be too keen on the drilling of holes, but that may work pretty slick for some. I bet a marine supply house would have it.

I didn't think of a marine supply, that a good idea. I'm betting you could get them with a self adhesive. Hmmmmm...

or use a good heavy auto trim adhesive. Recently I have discovered the many many uses of industrial double stick tape. Fixed my iPhone with some and just today, replaced the letter "z" on my laptop keyboard that decided to snap off and break. Back on and holding tight!

I went with lifetime guaranteed bedliner on my boards and would do it again for the convenience and durability. IMO powdercoating would look pretty much the same.

Wanted my boards to be painted to match the fenders too but didnt want to worry about scratches from, I don't know STEPPING on them. So they were primed, sprayed with SEM 39523 or 40523 - can't remember- undercoating then painted, and cleared with a satin clear. So far so good. The SEM product is not heavy looking either. Kind of looks like 80 grit sand paper.

as far as fixing dings and dents to powdercoat their are fillers you can use that are compatable with the powder coating process. i think powder coating is the only way to go for something thats going to take that kind of abuse. if your ding is small enough you can actually use jb weld before powder coating or for some bigger areas you can use USC all metal filler. talk to your powder coater and they can steer you in the right direction. their is also Labmetal but i havent had any good luck with it yet. anyway i plan on powder coating my running boards but will definately be using bed liner on the inside of my fenders for an undercoating. later MO

Has anyone tried that Clear Guard type stuff? I see it a lot on the front of high end cars as a stone guard. I don't know if it would hold up to stepping on it.

BTW, I am a Line-X dealer and I'm not sure if I want to do it to my own truck. I'm sure it would hold up but it definitely won't look "stock".

Like that idea. keep the rust away as well as help quiet them down. Sounds like a plan.

I put the lifetime bedliner on the inside of my fenders as well and the reduction in road noise was unbelievable as well as the piece of mind to rip down gravel roads without worrying about fender stars. The stuff is about .075" thick and I paid $100 a fender.

Sorry for bringing back such an old topic, but I am nearing the point where I need to decide on my running board finish. My initial thought was Fulthane (2K Urethane), but the more I thought about it, the more I like the durability of "bed liner", but not the looks...

Anyway, I did not notice anyone mention possibly using rocker panel chip guard. 3M calls it Rocker Shutz. It sprays on with a heavy orange peel, but is not as rough as bed liner. Might indeed make a good surface. If I go that route, I will paint most of the running board with the Fulthane (using Fulthane for the rest of the truck) and mask of the step surface of the boards and apply the Rocker Shutz.