Marks on Running Boards
 

I think this has been asked before, but i cant find the answers. I have tried a search or two.. but failed.

I have aluminium running boards. There are some nasty marks on them eg under the door edges. Black and brown. I have tried everything to try and remove them, but nothing works.

1) how do i get rid of them.
2) should aluminum rust/corrode/oxide in this way
3) can i get the stealer to fix if it is a defect!

I belive it must be some impurity in the aluminum that has made it stain. what do you guys think i should do?

running board help
 

im in the same boat nothing removes marks yesterday i took running boards off and asked a mate if he can sort them out re-sand them, polish and laquer them ( he in metal trade)hopefully they will look new again when done all the rubber bungs in the running boards come out easy enough though

Aluminum running boards...
 

...I'm in good company. I've tried everything short of wet-sanding them and I'm not even sure that would work. The moment we find a product, that manufacturer is going to get 'paid'.

Chris

have you tried those metal polish? I got one for my badly stained wheels and they worked. Even though it wasn't easy to get those stains off. But my efforts paid. :thumbup:

I keep reading these stained running board posts--it seems more of an issue in northern climes--I've not noticed anything like this. Could it be road tar or bits of macadam, or are the stains on the top of the rail? Has anybody tried Dupont #7 polishing compound? Hope we can help.

Maybe try a product called BarKeeper's Friend. It's a powder, kinda like Comet or Bon Ami, but it kicks ass on stainless steel pots & pans, hard water stains on glass, any stains on porcelain, it's good stuff. Also there's a product called Zud that may work.

JV

HI I used Solvol Autosol and the boards came up great. I did not then polish them and after a couple of months one of them has a few spots appearing again. This time I will use solvol and then polish over the top.

John

Hey guys. I'm thinking of adding RBs in the coming year. It sounds like a Rust & scuff-proof top coat should be the last step of a good install. Agree? Any product rec's? I want to do it, but only if it's gonna last.
Thx. Also, If I come across a product that looks like it could handle this, I'll pass it on here.
M

I don't have the running boards, so I have to ask if they are clear coated or bare aluminum. Are the stains showing up under the clear coat like it's bleeding through? If it's bare aluminum, Mother's Aluminum mag wheel polish will probably take out the stains. A Mr. Clean Magic Eraser will also help be useful.

Dave,
How did you get the running boards off, are they all one part? The circular plastic 'bung' parts must seperate from the aluminium metal but I couldn't see how.
Would certainly appreciate any pics.