GEN 2 Cleaning running boards

[shelteredraptor]

I use a power washer on mine and it works great.

this is THE way to clean them. NO chemicals, just power wash them. My '10 was 7 years old and the boards still looked new. I have the same boards on my daily driver scab that look new also. Whatever the coating is that the factory puts on these, it don't like chemicals or car washes. or both...

 

[CFIT]

this is THE way to clean them. NO chemicals, just power wash them. My '10 was 7 years old and the boards still looked new. I have the same boards on my daily driver scab that look new also. Whatever the coating is that the factory puts on these, it don't like chemicals or car washes. or both...

I've been looking for an excuse to buy a pressure washer. I think you may have just given me one. Thanks!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

---------- Post added at 05:40 PM ---------- Previous post was at 05:38 PM ----------

Pics?

I don't have any great pictures, but here's one... looks worse in person.




Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

---------- Post added at 05:41 PM ---------- Previous post was at 05:40 PM ----------

The automatic wash would not cause the faded look after only two times, but the harsh chemicals tat are used will fade them, and the rest of the plastic and rubber trim, over time (year or so).

If they looked bad after only a short time, and one wash, then perhaps the dealer used some dressing on them that dried out to look faded, or maybe even a liquid wax that would start to look lighter over a few weeks.

It also might just be as simple as them having dirt embedded in the texture of the running boards, and the automatic wash is not cleaning it out.

I know that scrubbing with the Tire & Rubber Cleaner will make a huge improvement, and sealing them up with the H2O Guard & Gloss will help prevent this from happening again.

Since you will also need to keep your tires clean, consider the Tire & Rubber Cleaner Collection, which gets you the 16oz sprayer, a tire bush, and the gallon refill.



Save the Dawn Dish soap for your lasagna pan!

It is a harsh soap designed for breaking down grease, and while it might get the dirt off the running boards, it will fade them out over time.

Thanks again, I'll look those products up.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Ironhorse07]

Thanks for the info. The truck is only a month old, and has only been washed twice. Both times it was hand washed, but it was a touchless/automatic car wash. I can understand how certain wash chemicals could affect the finish over time, but mine looked the way they do before even the second wash. I took the truck on a long road trip and spent several days driving in the rain. They looked pretty filthy after that, as you can imagine, but I figured they'd clean right up easily enough. I thought dirt would mostly just rinse off honestly, but no such luck.

I love these running boards. They're easily the most functional running boards I've had on any vehicle I've owned. I just hope that they don't become a chore to maintain in terms of aesthetics.



Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Hand washed at the automatic touch free carwash?

 

[pjones]

Mine look about the same. When washed they look good, but the texture on it seems to trap dirt pretty well. I don't even bother to scrub them, just power wash them.

 

[AdamsPolishes]

I pressure wash mine, but find that I still have to scrub to get them 100% clean. That bedliner-type coating on them just holds onto the dirt.

 

[CFIT]

Hand washed at the automatic touch free carwash?

I'm probably not using the right terminology. Both car washes I've taken it to use a conveyer type system that rolls the truck along while it gets sprayed by soap etc, but there are no brushes or anything mechanical touching the truck. The "washing" part is done by hand, as guys on each side follow the truck as it moves along.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[TRIMMELL]

I just used my regular wash soap and a soft brush. Be very careful what "cleaners" you use on the steps or you will end up with streaks and runs in the paint. I would avoid putting any kind of dressing on them and just leave them the natural finish. If you decide to apply a dressing a foam applicator works great for applying it to the textured finish.

 

[Davidryan1987]

Get you the product called sc1 you will be amazed by this stuff. It is a silicone spray and let me tell you they do not call this stuff new bike in a can for no reason. I started using it on my Polaris rzr and now use it on everything plastic and rubber even the tires. It's like 10.00 per van but worth it. I just used on my steps today and they look new again.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[smurfslayer]

I use nature’s car wash, it’s run by God and he does a spectacular job of keeping my running boards damn clean, no matter what I’m doing to dirty them up.

Seriously, this is a thing?
and more seriously, yes, God washes my truck’s running boards, because I won’t.

 

[CFIT]

I use nature’s car wash, it’s run by God and he does a spectacular job of keeping my running boards damn clean, no matter what I’m doing to dirty them up.



Seriously, this is a thing?

and more seriously, yes, God washes my truck’s running boards, because I won’t.

Thank you, sir. I've had a heck of a day, and needed a good laugh.

In answer to your question - yes it's a thing. We have God here in SoCal, but no rain. I figure he's so busy doing other things here that he doesn't have time to wash my running boards. So that leaves me to wash them; or not wash them and rant and complain on FRF instead.

I still need to try some of the suggestions posted above. In the interim I've been busy dirtying the rest of the truck to distract my eyes from the dirt on the running boards.



Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

---------- Post added at 05:42 PM ---------- Previous post was at 05:42 PM ----------

Get you the product called sc1 you will be amazed by this stuff. It is a silicone spray and let me tell you they do not call this stuff new bike in a can for no reason. I started using it on my Polaris rzr and now use it on everything plastic and rubber even the tires. It's like 10.00 per van but worth it. I just used on my steps today and they look new again.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I'll look this up. Thanks for suggestion.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk