Side-Steps, Old-School Panel-Beating and Plastidip...

[iandvl]

So, as I've mentioned previously, my side-steps seemed to be a little worse for wear - especially post-Bridgestone challenge. Not only were the steps (depicted below) a little beaten up, but the brackets attaching them to the body also looked a little rough when I removed them.

SS-1.jpg (282.51 KiB) Viewed 5089 times

So, after removing them, I started by stripping off the old paint on the brackets, and refinishing them with a few coats of Hammerite. They look almost brand-new now.

SS-2.jpg (255.49 KiB) Viewed 5089 times

Next step was performing some old-school panel beating and removing the dings from the aluminium and quite a few coats of plastidip.

SS-3.jpg (280.63 KiB) Viewed 5089 times

Finally, refitted - they look almost too new for the truck.

SS-4.jpg (413.17 KiB) Viewed 5089 times

I'm unsure as to how well the plasti-dip will wear on the steps, as they normally get trodden on quite a bit by the kids. I am, however, very happy with the end results. Hopefully the dip will last until such time as I upgrade to a set of rocksliders. :)

[JoshJ]

Wow, nice work Ian. They look brand new

[Tinus lotz]

Whow looks good man ....
lets see what they look like after river trip

[Alex Roux]

Ian, you must really liek your side steps / running boards.

Coz, if you continue to use your truck for what it was made for, then fixing them boards will be a never ending job

Why not settle for rock sliders? Or do you like the more civilised look of the car?

[Herrie]

It looks very good!

[iandvl]

Ian, you must really liek your side steps / running boards.

Coz, if you continue to use your truck for what it was made for, then fixing them boards will be a never ending job

Why not settle for rock sliders? Or do you like the more civilised look of the car?

Alex,

Rocksliders are definitely on the cards in the future, as well as some PC protective steel under parts. I just cannot afford to get them immediately.

I cannot remove the side-steps yet, as the kids battle to get in and out of the car without them. Actually, the kids don't mind this too much. The wife battles to get in and out the car without them, and she does mind this. As such, I am forced to keep my side-steps until such time as I can afford to upgrade them. But I also want them to look a little better than they were...

I'll probably remove them for crazy stuff (like doing the Bridgestone), and keep them fitted for non-crazy stuff.

[Nissan KingCab]

Dit lyk baie goed Ian, handige DIY persoon.

Lyk vir my na 'n man met hoë standaarde as ek so na die resultaat kyk.

[Picasso]

Hallo Ian

How are your powder coated running boards keeping up in daily use ?

Any noticeable deterioration ?

Would you do it again ?

[iandvl]

Hallo Ian

How are your powder coated running boards keeping up in daily use ?

Any noticeable deterioration ?

Would you do it again ?

Hi there.

They're still going reasonably well. Surprisingly well, actually.

I should mention that, with my small kids and my short wife (I never said that - right ), the running boards are well used when climbing in and out. But no noticeable damage from shoes on the boards. I've also done a number of trips and trails since spraying them - including the dune trip, a bunch of other 4x4 trails. Also a trip to Sodwana and Bots.

There was a bit of deterioration where the plastidip was sprayed over the black insert on the corner of the running boards. I assume the plastidip does not bond as well with plastic as it does with aluminium. What basically happens is that it "peels off" a little on the plastic insert. One does not really notice it, and after a day or two, the peeling bits drop off. After that, one does not notice it at all, as the exposed plastic insert is the same colour as the running boards.

Sadly, I cannot post photographs, as I am working in the Cape this week and the 'trol is at home. Will do so over the weekend.

Would I do it again ? I'm not sure. It was not a lot of effort. I'll be honest and say that "next time" it's necessary, I'll invest in some rock sliders...

[Picasso]

Thanks Ian for your reply.

Well... I think it looks GOOD !... and I would consider doing it too.

What you call the plastic dip.... is that the same stuff which is lately offered to color your alloy rims ?

I think you did very well with coloring you side steps.

A rock slider is obviously a different animal.... but I am still happy on using the sidestep as a side step ...and if they can be made black ... even better.