Brookville Roadster Running Boards

[81ls1camaro]

I bought a pair of running boards that have the rubber already glued on and the trim is the cheap stainless steel jobbies already installed.
The running boards are bare steel and I want to paint them, has anyone taken the rubber and trim off without ruining them? It would be nice to epoxy prime all sides to make sure they last. It was recommended that I throw the trim away and buy some that are more correct, but I would like to keep this trim to avoid further investment.
Any tips before I make a mess of them?

[ModelA29]

The glue and rubber should protect the top from rust. Since you don't want further investment I'd just mask off the rubber and paint the rest rather than risk ruining the rubber trying to get it off.

[Oldbluoval]

You’d likely ruin the rubber taking it off. Also, if you paint the topside better be sure the paint is a really good bond to the metal. If not, re-gluing the matting might be problematic
I’d paint the bottoms and leave as is

[81ls1camaro]

Originally Posted by Oldbluoval

You’d likely ruin the rubber taking it off. Also, if you paint the topside better be sure the paint is a really good bond to the metal. If not, re-gluing the matting might be problematic
I’d paint the bottoms and leave as is

I'm using SPI epoxy, bond with the metal shouldn't be a problem. I lay all my body filler on top of it.

[Oldbluoval]

The type epoxy isn’t as important as the cleaning of the metal. Most epoxy will bond fine if the base is prepped properly.
Sounds like you’d made up your mind.

[Tinbasher]

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If you warm up the back of the runningboard with a heat gun and slowly draw the rubber away. You can remove the rubber without damaging it. Slow and easy is the trick here. The biggest problem these days is finding a good contact cement to put it back on with. Everything is latex based these days and it's junk.

[81ls1camaro]

Thanks for the help. Has anyone taken the trim off of a new set of running boards? It looks like it will just pop off , but I didn't want to be wrong.

[Oldbluoval]

Tinbasher right on

[midgetracer]

It will pop off, but use care to avoid kinking it.

[31Tudor]

I have better luck sliding them off. Tapping them with a wooden block and they will slide off vs. trying to bend them or twist them off, trying to "pop" it off.

[81ls1camaro]

Originally Posted by 31Tudor

I have better luck sliding them off. Tapping them with a wooden block and they will slide off vs. trying to bend them or twist them off, trying to "pop" it off.

Thanks for the tip. Hopefully I can look at them again this week.

[81ls1camaro]

I actually emailed brookville roadster and asked them how to take the trim off. They went and talked to the guy making the running boards. This is the response I received. I'm sorry to say that I have not had time to look and see if I can tap them off with a block of wood.

"He said once you take the trim off you wont be able to save them that you would have get you another set of the trim. He said you basically get a corner of the trim up with maybe a screwdriver or something then use vise grips and peel it back as you work down the trim til you get it to slide off."

[rotorwrench]

I'd just mask over the rubber and finish the rest as needed. Get some use out of the rubber mats. If a person leaves a car out in the weather all the time then the metal will eventually corrode under the mats. If the car is garaged, they will last a lot longer. Wait till they come loose on their own and then finish the pan areas.

[81ls1camaro]

I think I am going to send them back. The inside lip is too tall. The original is something around 0.425" tall and sits flush with the mounting pad. The Brookville roadster inside lip is 0.600" tall and is much higher than the mounting pad. Now to find some that fit.

[CT Jack]

Looking at your photo, the quality of the RB you bought looks excellent.
I believe a majority of replacement RB's come with the rubber covering glued on. This is the way I received mine 15 years ago. They are in perfect condition to this day. If you plan on storing your car outdoors then this might be a concern.
Are you certain the outer trim piece is cheap stainless and not zinc plated steel? My RB's are zinc plated which I believe is correct.
The difference in trim height and the mounting surface can be corrected by notching the inside trim piece in 2 places. Clean and roughen the underside, paint it black, and enjoy your "A".
This what I would do.

[81ls1camaro]

Originally Posted by CT Jack

Looking at your photo, the quality of the RB you bought looks excellent.
I believe a majority of replacement RB's come with the rubber covering glued on. This is the way I received mine 15 years ago. They are in perfect condition to this day. If you plan on storing your car outdoors then this might be a concern.
Are you certain the outer trim piece is cheap stainless and not zinc plated steel? My RB's are zinc plated which I believe is correct.
The difference in trim height and the mounting surface can be corrected by notching the inside trim piece in 2 places. Clean and roughen the underside, paint it black, and enjoy your "A".
This what I would do.

I sent them back, one day before I found out Rootlieb is having problems sourcing parts. I might wait to see if they are able to produce the 28/29 running boards again.