Painting running boards 4.8 I
 

Anyone painted their running boards here, what type paint is used and how do you keep it from scuffing, since it is a high traffic area?

Also anyone done LED lighting for the mirror light and exterior tail light

Thanks Ted


2006 X5 4.8i Imola Red
Euro Xenon
Eisenmann Sport
1999 M3 Cosmos
Dinan CAI & Exhaust
2003 330 XI
1989 325ic
87 Benz SDL

plastidip them or line-x them

If you want to paint them same as the trim the paint is called SEM trim black. I'm assuming we are talking about the aluminum boards?

I used Black rockerguard. First application, looked amazing.. Since then- Chips and ugly fading. GOnna redo w/ Plastidip.

Guys don't waste your time with plasti-dip. The first time you turn your heel on the running board, the coating will rip and lift.

Your only real option for any kind of lasting surface is powdercoat, but that would require the running boards be removed, the aluminium face separated from the plastic, and all the rubber nabs removed. Powdercoating is about as robust an applied coating as you are going to get.

Liquid paints are just too soft - the tiniest pebble or grains of sand embedded in the bottom of your shoe will scratch and mar the finish.

Sorry can say I agree , had my running boards dipped for a while with no issues (whole car actually ) http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/07/23/uhyhegur.jpg

And in case of any rips the fix is very easy...


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You Plastic-dipped your entire car? Not my thing but it's your car.

Anyways, areas that rip and peel can be repaired with respray with dip but those area look like a botched job unless you peel completely off. As ants_oz mentioned, Plastic-Dip is not durable and doesn't adhere to certain surface very well.

Ted,
I don't have running board (yet) on my iS. Even if I do, I'd leave it as-is since it's the best match for Tit.Silver. If I were to paint it, I would experience with Plasti-Dip to see how it look. If it does look good, I would look at powder coating it later on for a long lasting result.
I do have LED bulbs for the mirror lights as well as all the interior and exterior lights.
Taillights: since it's a facelift model, you have adaptive brake light. You will need to put in a resistor in order to avoid the flickering of the taillights. There are threads on Xoutpost about this.

SEM Trim paint is pretty durable but won't be durable to be used on running board. What about brake caliper epoxy paint?