they are somewhat smooth. I was looking on google and found a guy on a furd site that did the same thing with nerf bars. did a self etching primer and then the rustoleum bedliner in a spray can? and says they have held up well for the past 2 years. Might have to give that a shot, worst case it dont work and im out a few bucks, but at least Ill know incase anyone else trys it

Or maybe a rubberized undercoating paint or engine enamel?

 

I've done the plasti-dip step bars, doesn't hold up from stepping on it repeatedly. I doubt any other rubberized coating would do any better. The rustoleum bedliner might work ok, and you could always buy a monstaliner small kit and do em. that will look a lot more like a traditionaly spray in bedliner though, while the rustoleum bedliner in a can is a lot smoother. I think any sort of paint with the proper prep that's made for metal would work just fine though. Key would be to rough it up enough and maybe use some adhesion promoter. Por15 would work too, but will likely be the most work. take some pics if you do end up doing something.

 

i second the bedliner, get monstaliner its the best diy stuff on the market from what ive read, dont do heruliner it sucks, and linex wants everything in your wallet even f'in lint!

 

Scotch bright the **** out of them and shoot em with bedliner.

 

well as soon as I get the time this will be my next project. I will keep yall updated after its done.