The Ford Barn

Ball and Chain · 01-12-2018, 10:45 PM

Any recommendations on what to put on running boards to keep them looking new? I have redone running boards on my 35 and they look a little light next to my black paint. I don’t want to give them a car lot baptism, but what can I put on them to keep them looking new for as long as possible.

Thanks!

40cpe · 01-12-2018, 10:53 PM

I always liked Armorall original. It was a flat black, not shiny or pimpish looking. I haven't been able to find it for long while, though. Look for a rubber/vinyl dressing with a satin finish.

fordor41 · 01-12-2018, 11:01 PM

I've tried a lot of different products and they all seem to attract dirt. Now I use black shoe polish. Buffs to a nice sheen and seems to stay cleaner longer.

Brian · 01-12-2018, 11:53 PM

Yeah, boot polish- KIWI brand is best!!!

DavidG · 01-13-2018, 03:14 AM

If they appear to be on the light side perhaps not all of the mold release agent has been removed. It also attracts dirt. Try a little lacquer thinner rubbed on a test spot and see if you notice an appreciable difference in the shade of the black.

mike42 · 01-13-2018, 03:53 AM

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I use a stove pipe blacking that I bought at local hardware. Can’t remember the name though and will have to go out to the barn later and see. I used it on the old rubber on my ‘40 and then after I replaced the covers I use it once every Spring. Does a fine job and it was recommended by someone online here.

Mike

TJ · 01-13-2018, 10:32 AM

I use Meguiar's Natural Shine. Doesn't seem to attract dirt like Armorall. and gives the rubber a natural look. I only use it 2 or 3 times a year. In between I just use a wet towel to get the dust off.

KiWinUS · 01-13-2018, 10:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brian

Yeah, boot polish- KIWI brand is best!!!

Right on Brian
KiWi shoe polish is all I have ever used on my original rubber 36 boards

Willit Stop · 01-13-2018, 11:10 AM

Back in the 60's, my brother used brake fluid on his tires.It looked pretty good.It's not compatible with paint though.

Ball and Chain · 01-13-2018, 11:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brian

Yeah, boot polish- KIWI brand is best!!!

Youre partial though I guess?

Quote:

Originally Posted by TJ

I use Meguiar's Natural Shine. Doesn't seem to attract dirt like Armorall. and gives the rubber a natural look. I only use it 2 or 3 times a year. In between I just use a wet towel to get the dust off.

Perfect I have a bottle of that somewhere...

Thanks for the responses guys!

Bubsyouruncle · 01-13-2018, 09:37 PM

I have a pair of, I think, original 1932 Ford running boards. Under everything I find WHITE rubber! What do I have?

DavidG - Huh?

goshencars · 06-29-2018, 08:32 PM

I have always used Go-Jo on rubber parts to make them look like new. It won't hurt them and I think it softens them up too. I use it when putting rubber grommets and plugs and bumpers into holes. It makes them slid right in. Try it and you will be surprized. Don't use the gritty stuff

outlaw · 06-29-2018, 11:44 PM

I have never tried this, but I remember my father in law ( who is long gone) telling me that back in the 50's they would use "sugar water" to make the tires & running board rubber shine. This supposedly was the way before Armorall & the other products available now. Maybe he was pulling my leg, but I thought I would relay this, so don't chastise me.

Gary Tosel · 07-01-2018, 03:16 AM

I have used Bleach White which is usually used for white wall tires. I use it on the tires as well as the running boards and the final finish is like natural rubber and does not seam to attract dirt. It works for me. Thanks

flathead48 · 07-01-2018, 05:46 AM

303 has a good product for rubber and has UV protection. Use it on my tires, satin finish, non sticky so does not attract dust.

LBs 37V8 · 07-01-2018, 01:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by flathead48

303 has a good product for rubber and has UV protection. Use it on my tires, satin finish, non sticky so does not attract dust.

Thanks for all the ideas. Just used the 303, cause I had it handy in the cabinet. Worked great, natural looking finish. Huge improvement, washing the running boards didn’t do a thing. For my ‘39 Convertible Sedan, not the ‘37... lol

ford38v8 · 07-01-2018, 02:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bubsyouruncle

I have a pair of, I think, original 1932 Ford running boards. Under everything I find WHITE rubber! What do I have?

DavidG - Huh?

I hope DavidG can shed some light on your question, but just as a possible...
Natural rubber is white, lampblack is added to color it black.

01-12-2018, 10:45 PM	#1
Ball and Chain Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Nor*Cal Posts: 720	Conditioning Running Board Rubber Any recommendations on what to put on running boards to keep them looking new? I have redone running boards on my 35 and they look a little light next to my black paint. I don’t want to give them a car lot baptism, but what can I put on them to keep them looking new for as long as possible. Thanks! __________________ Throttle Benders Est. 1949

01-12-2018, 10:53 PM	#2
40cpe Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Star, MS Posts: 4,024	Re: Conditioning Running Board Rubber I always liked Armorall original. It was a flat black, not shiny or pimpish looking. I haven't been able to find it for long while, though. Look for a rubber/vinyl dressing with a satin finish.

01-12-2018, 11:01 PM	#3
fordor41 Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: elmira,ny Posts: 1,515	Re: Conditioning Running Board Rubber I've tried a lot of different products and they all seem to attract dirt. Now I use black shoe polish. Buffs to a nice sheen and seems to stay cleaner longer.

01-12-2018, 11:53 PM	#4
Brian Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Masterton, New Zealand Posts: 3,825	Re: Conditioning Running Board Rubber Yeah, boot polish- KIWI brand is best!!! __________________ Unfortunately, two half wits don't make a whole wit!

01-13-2018, 03:14 AM	#5
DavidG Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: southeastern Michigan Posts: 10,090	Re: Conditioning Running Board Rubber If they appear to be on the light side perhaps not all of the mold release agent has been removed. It also attracts dirt. Try a little lacquer thinner rubbed on a test spot and see if you notice an appreciable difference in the shade of the black.

01-13-2018, 03:53 AM	#6
mike42 Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Gaylord, Michigan Posts: 1,599	Re: Conditioning Running Board Rubber Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) I use a stove pipe blacking that I bought at local hardware. Can’t remember the name though and will have to go out to the barn later and see. I used it on the old rubber on my ‘40 and then after I replaced the covers I use it once every Spring. Does a fine job and it was recommended by someone online here. Mike

01-13-2018, 10:32 AM	#7
TJ Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Napa,California Posts: 6,024	Re: Conditioning Running Board Rubber I use Meguiar's Natural Shine. Doesn't seem to attract dirt like Armorall. and gives the rubber a natural look. I only use it 2 or 3 times a year. In between I just use a wet towel to get the dust off.

01-13-2018, 11:10 AM	#9
Willit Stop Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: Eureka Calif. Posts: 968	Re: Conditioning Running Board Rubber Back in the 60's, my brother used brake fluid on his tires.It looked pretty good.It's not compatible with paint though.

01-13-2018, 09:37 PM	#11
Bubsyouruncle Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2013 Location: Gurnee, Illinois Posts: 270	Re: Conditioning Running Board Rubber I have a pair of, I think, original 1932 Ford running boards. Under everything I find WHITE rubber! What do I have? DavidG - Huh?

06-29-2018, 08:32 PM	#12
goshencars Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Ohio Posts: 87	Re: Conditioning Running Board Rubber I have always used Go-Jo on rubber parts to make them look like new. It won't hurt them and I think it softens them up too. I use it when putting rubber grommets and plugs and bumpers into holes. It makes them slid right in. Try it and you will be surprized. Don't use the gritty stuff

06-29-2018, 11:44 PM	#13
outlaw Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Eagle River,Alaska Posts: 352	Re: Conditioning Running Board Rubber I have never tried this, but I remember my father in law ( who is long gone) telling me that back in the 50's they would use "sugar water" to make the tires & running board rubber shine. This supposedly was the way before Armorall & the other products available now. Maybe he was pulling my leg, but I thought I would relay this, so don't chastise me.

07-01-2018, 03:16 AM	#14
Gary Tosel Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Minnesota Posts: 1,137	Re: Conditioning Running Board Rubber I have used Bleach White which is usually used for white wall tires. I use it on the tires as well as the running boards and the final finish is like natural rubber and does not seam to attract dirt. It works for me. Thanks

07-01-2018, 05:46 AM	#15
flathead48 Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Saratoga Springs, NY Posts: 1,110	Re: Conditioning Running Board Rubber 303 has a good product for rubber and has UV protection. Use it on my tires, satin finish, non sticky so does not attract dust.

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