Running Board Cleaning/ removal
 

My running boards are in need of some serious cleaning. Nothing seems to work well. I would like to remove the metal part so I can really get at them, those black dot things make it hard to clean.

So what are you guys using to clean these things?

Is there a way to remove the metal part?

http://i255.photobucket.com/albums/h...c/P1010187.jpg

http://i255.photobucket.com/albums/h...c/P1010187.jpg

I suggest posting in the detailing forum or reaching out to Phil from detailers domain.

Refer to this

BMW X3 Running Boards / Side Steps - Detailing World

That was perfect, thanks. :thumbup:

Full detail coming next week. I ordered a flex polisher from Detailers Domain and should receive today.

Great question, great thread and follow-up. However I would be VERY worried about have some of those break when pulling them out. Unless you can find a source for them individually I wouldn't try to remove them on an older car.

Searched realoem for the part and found at getbmwparts.

51717053464 $0.76

I will do the removal first and then buy any that break.

Nice job finding the part. I never noticed that. Funny how the quantity shown is "?". Guess they were too lazy to count.

Sounds crazy but WD40 works great - I use it on mine

It's great this thread came up. My drivers side running board was in desperate need of cleaning. It was caked in metal from a brake disk that was WAY overdue for a change.

Today I gave it a good scrub with metal polish and steel wool. I dont think the metal polish really helped much (Mothers "Billet" metal polish)

As for the black plugs, I would be very very surprised if you were to break one. They are remarkably sturdy and snap back in perfectly.

What I did was pry up the plug with a flat head, then while wedging the plug with the flat head, I used some skinny pliers to pull it out.

Nice Godfather you inspired me to do the same.

Your right about the plugs, they are soft and very unlikely to break.

I used a plastic trim removal tool and it worked great. I also removed the black trim running along the door and running board to get at it all.

1. Adams all purpose cleaner.
2. PS21 polishing soap.
3. Eagle One never-dull wadding polish. (had some black stuff that didn't come off with the PS21 and this stuff took it right off)
4. Adams VRT for black dots and trim.

Adams products and PS21 from Detailer Domain. Awesome service from Phil and love the discounts.

http://i255.photobucket.com/albums/h...c/IMG_0458.jpg

http://i255.photobucket.com/albums/h...c/IMG_0451.jpg

http://i255.photobucket.com/albums/h...c/IMG_0452.jpg

http://i255.photobucket.com/albums/h...c/IMG_0454.jpg

http://i255.photobucket.com/albums/h...c/IMG_0455.jpg

http://i255.photobucket.com/albums/h...c/IMG_0462.jpg

http://i255.photobucket.com/albums/h...c/IMG_0465.jpg

http://i255.photobucket.com/albums/h...c/IMG_0466.jpg