What's up all.

I have the mopar chrome running boards, or side steps or need bars, whatever they are called. The oval ones on a 09 1500.

Anyway, a lot of the chrome plating is pealing off and the look bad. I am looking for ideas to fix them.

Thought about sandblasting and powder coating, but local guy wants $250-350 depending on color. $150 just to sandblast.

Or, sand them down myself and spray with rust oleum bed liner spray. I saw someone else do this. But I don't know if I can remove the plastic steps so I can sand them properly.

Or, just buy new aftermarket one. But I would like to use the existing "nut inserts" used to install the mopar boards.

Any thoughts?

Thanks.

 

It's not an uncommon issue. Happened to me. Multiple times. I got one replaced under warranty. Since that time, after the warranty expired, now both the other original one and the replacement are doing it.

I can't really see any way to reasonably re-coat them to salvage them. At least not with chrome, paint, or powder. Removing the old chrome would be too difficult/expensive. I'm wondering though, whether applying bedliner material might be a decent option. I'm thinking of either checking with Line-X or just grabbing a few cans of the do-it-yourself stuff and giving it a go. That stuff would build up enough to hide any uneven areas where the chrome already peeled. And all you'd have to do to prep for it would be to scuff or lightly sand them.

Anyone else come up with a better/cheaper way of dealing with them? I'd rather do something like this than have to replace them entirely.

Rob

 

Rob, I agree. Even $150 just to sandblast isn't really worth it. Then you still need a few cans of the spray bed liner stuff. I saw someone do it, but it was before the chrome started to peel.

I should have opted for the stainless tubes instead. Too late.

I heard of some people using the line-x on them too.

My steps are chrome plated aluminum. The exposed aluminum is corroded too.
I wonder, if I didn't remove all of the chrome plate that isn't loose, would it continue corroded underneath the spray liner.

 

Oh, also, I misspelled PEELING.

 

You could just spray some bedliner right over them, plastic and all, if you get it on thick enough (multiple coats) it will probably be good for a year or so. Personally I would get some aftermarket ones since the factory mounting is terribly weak and can actually break off over time.

 

Use bedliner spray. Just prep the surface really well.

 

I'm on my second set too. First ones replaced under warranty, just noticed this weekend the chrome is peeling by the plastic step pad.