The Ford Barn

mike42 · 07-31-2016, 05:29 AM

Planning on replacing the rubber covers on running boards. Of all the people that you can buy them from.....who has the overall best product ?

Thx....Mike

deuce_roadster · 07-31-2016, 09:49 AM

I did that once. Have since only used "backorder Bob's" boards with the rubber already molded on. Putting the covers on is NOT an easy thing to do in my opinion. There used to be a fellow named Acuff I think that did a good job but you had to send him your boards.
Good luck with your project, I think Drake probably makes the best covers.

V8 Bob · 07-31-2016, 10:09 AM

I've installed two sets of Bob Drake's '40 covers, and imo are the best available. The first set I did by myself, but was easier with help on the second. Just follow instructions and use a quality contact adhesive.

Kube · 07-31-2016, 11:16 AM

The covers Drake sells are okay. It does take patience to install them properly. Proper preparation, as with any project, is paramount to a good result.
I would suggest covers only for a "driver" type vehicle.
Hundley Acuff is still doing boards and for us "purists" they are the only option.

19Fordy · 07-31-2016, 11:49 AM

I installed the DRAKE covers in 1988 and they still look brand new. No complaints. They have a lip that fits over the outer edge. If you're shooting for AAA award follow "Kube's" advice.

deuce_roadster · 07-31-2016, 12:42 PM

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Kube is correct (as usual). If you are going for points, unblemished NOS or Acuff boards are the way to go. Drake boards/covers are good "driver" products.

mike42 · 07-31-2016, 03:30 PM

Guys my '40 is driven everyday I can. I could show it, but you have to take that "very" seriously and I don't have the patience. Plus I just enjoy driving the car. I'll go with Drakes.

One last thing......should I take off the boards or leave on the car ?

As always....thx........Mike

Kube · 07-31-2016, 03:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mike42

Guys my '40 is driven everyday I can. I could show it, but you have to take that "very" seriously and I don't have the patience. Plus I just enjoy driving the car. I'll go with Drakes.

One last thing......should I take off the boards or leave on the car ?

As always....thx........Mike

You must take them off. I'd suggest sand blasting the boards until they are CLEAN. Then, you must fill any low spots on the top of the boards. I would advise the use of a metal impregnated filler vs. an all plastic filler.

Once the boards are smooth you are ready to install the covers. I would suggest 3M Rubber adhesive in a quart (brush applied) can.

The back of the covers must be cleaned thoroughly. Use lacquer thinner and a coarse plastic scrub pad. I would not use steel wool as it often contains oils - something you need to eliminate.
Only glue the bottom edge and wait until that sets up firmly. Only then would I move on any further.
Do not stretch the covers at all.

mike42 · 07-31-2016, 03:46 PM

Okay great. Will do. I'm buying them next week and will install as a November December project.

Thx.....Mike

alanwoodieman · 07-31-2016, 03:50 PM

Drakes "shoe box" covers have been on my woodie since 1992 and still look great. follow kube's advice about filling/cleaning the boards, 3m glue etc.

HDowse · 07-31-2016, 04:05 PM

I'm also planning to replace the covers on my Fordor after the driving season this fall. Is the removal of the boards straightforward or are there some tricks that would be helpful?

mike42 · 07-31-2016, 04:54 PM

Hey good question Dowse !

Thx guys.

19Fordy · 07-31-2016, 04:58 PM

Board removal is very straight forward and easy. Put 5 gallon pails under the board to support it while you unbolt so it won't just drop down when unbolted. Use stainless bolts, washers and nuts to re-install, unless your a purist. Don't over tighten and "squish" the rubber when securing to fenders.

mike42 · 07-31-2016, 05:10 PM

Thx Fordy

Joe Immler · 07-31-2016, 05:39 PM

Follow Fordy and Kubes advice and you will be fine. I did my boards like they advise and the have been on the car for 16 years and still look great. The board finish is extremely important.

HDowse · 07-31-2016, 06:15 PM

Thanks everyone.
Here's a link to an epoxy product that might be good to use on the low spots on the boards prior to applying the rubber top material. Its design is to bond metals together but it works fine as a filler. Not cheap but top quality, as are all the System Three products

https://systemthree.com/products/sil...-bonding-epoxy

39 STD · 07-31-2016, 06:38 PM

I also used Drakes on my 39. I found wooded spring type clothespins to be a be great helper to keep the lower lip tight while the glue dried.

mike42 · 08-01-2016, 03:06 AM

Thx guys.

hope · 08-01-2016, 09:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mike42

Thx guys.

Don't mean to hijack this discussion, but i'm going to do the same thing on my 40 tudor this week, sometime when i get enough nerve to do it, Wish me luck.

mike42 · 08-02-2016, 03:02 AM

Hope........let me know how you do. Did you buy Drakes covers ?

07-31-2016, 05:29 AM	#1
mike42 Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Gaylord, Michigan Posts: 1,628	1940 Ford Running Board Covers Planning on replacing the rubber covers on running boards. Of all the people that you can buy them from.....who has the overall best product ? Thx....Mike

07-31-2016, 09:49 AM	#2
deuce_roadster Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Shelton, WA Posts: 3,971	Re: 1940 Ford Running Board Covers I did that once. Have since only used "backorder Bob's" boards with the rubber already molded on. Putting the covers on is NOT an easy thing to do in my opinion. There used to be a fellow named Acuff I think that did a good job but you had to send him your boards. Good luck with your project, I think Drake probably makes the best covers.

07-31-2016, 10:09 AM	#3
V8 Bob Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Granger (Northern) Indiana Posts: 1,586	Re: 1940 Ford Running Board Covers I've installed two sets of Bob Drake's '40 covers, and imo are the best available. The first set I did by myself, but was easier with help on the second. Just follow instructions and use a quality contact adhesive.

07-31-2016, 11:16 AM	#4
Kube Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Wisconsin, USA Posts: 9,850	Re: 1940 Ford Running Board Covers The covers Drake sells are okay. It does take patience to install them properly. Proper preparation, as with any project, is paramount to a good result. I would suggest covers only for a "driver" type vehicle. Hundley Acuff is still doing boards and for us "purists" they are the only option. __________________ "I can explain it for you. However, I can't understand it for you".

07-31-2016, 11:49 AM	#5
19Fordy Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Coral Springs FL Posts: 11,604	Re: 1940 Ford Running Board Covers I installed the DRAKE covers in 1988 and they still look brand new. No complaints. They have a lip that fits over the outer edge. If you're shooting for AAA award follow "Kube's" advice.

07-31-2016, 12:42 PM	#6
deuce_roadster Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Shelton, WA Posts: 3,971	Re: 1940 Ford Running Board Covers Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) Kube is correct (as usual). If you are going for points, unblemished NOS or Acuff boards are the way to go. Drake boards/covers are good "driver" products.

07-31-2016, 03:30 PM	#7
mike42 Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Gaylord, Michigan Posts: 1,628	Re: 1940 Ford Running Board Covers Guys my '40 is driven everyday I can. I could show it, but you have to take that "very" seriously and I don't have the patience. Plus I just enjoy driving the car. I'll go with Drakes. One last thing......should I take off the boards or leave on the car ? As always....thx........Mike

07-31-2016, 03:46 PM	#9
mike42 Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Gaylord, Michigan Posts: 1,628	Re: 1940 Ford Running Board Covers Okay great. Will do. I'm buying them next week and will install as a November December project. Thx.....Mike

07-31-2016, 03:50 PM	#10
alanwoodieman Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: upstate SC Posts: 3,000	Re: 1940 Ford Running Board Covers Drakes "shoe box" covers have been on my woodie since 1992 and still look great. follow kube's advice about filling/cleaning the boards, 3m glue etc.

07-31-2016, 04:05 PM	#11
HDowse Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Hancock, New Hampshire Posts: 393	Re: 1940 Ford Running Board Covers I'm also planning to replace the covers on my Fordor after the driving season this fall. Is the removal of the boards straightforward or are there some tricks that would be helpful?

07-31-2016, 04:54 PM	#12
mike42 Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Gaylord, Michigan Posts: 1,628	Re: 1940 Ford Running Board Covers Hey good question Dowse ! Thx guys.

07-31-2016, 04:58 PM	#13
19Fordy Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Coral Springs FL Posts: 11,604	Re: 1940 Ford Running Board Covers Board removal is very straight forward and easy. Put 5 gallon pails under the board to support it while you unbolt so it won't just drop down when unbolted. Use stainless bolts, washers and nuts to re-install, unless your a purist. Don't over tighten and "squish" the rubber when securing to fenders.

07-31-2016, 05:10 PM	#14
mike42 Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Gaylord, Michigan Posts: 1,628	Re: 1940 Ford Running Board Covers Thx Fordy

07-31-2016, 05:39 PM	#15
Joe Immler Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: Massillon, Ohio Posts: 783	Re: 1940 Ford Running Board Covers Follow Fordy and Kubes advice and you will be fine. I did my boards like they advise and the have been on the car for 16 years and still look great. The board finish is extremely important.

07-31-2016, 06:15 PM	#16
HDowse Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Hancock, New Hampshire Posts: 393	Re: 1940 Ford Running Board Covers Thanks everyone. Here's a link to an epoxy product that might be good to use on the low spots on the boards prior to applying the rubber top material. Its design is to bond metals together but it works fine as a filler. Not cheap but top quality, as are all the System Three products https://systemthree.com/products/sil...-bonding-epoxy

07-31-2016, 06:38 PM	#17
39 STD Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: NW Missouri Posts: 149	Re: 1940 Ford Running Board Covers I also used Drakes on my 39. I found wooded spring type clothespins to be a be great helper to keep the lower lip tight while the glue dried. __________________ God is great, beer is good -----People are crazy

08-01-2016, 03:06 AM	#18
mike42 Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Gaylord, Michigan Posts: 1,628	Re: 1940 Ford Running Board Covers Thx guys.

08-02-2016, 03:02 AM	#20
mike42 Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Gaylord, Michigan Posts: 1,628	Re: 1940 Ford Running Board Covers Hope........let me know how you do. Did you buy Drakes covers ?