Restore Nerf Bars' Glory

[Jay11]

Before installing these bars on new to me 99 4x4 I would like to restore them to some of their erstwhile glory in the same black.

Has anyone done this? How and what products did you use, how are the results holding?

 

[1996xlt]

I restored mine on my old 02' with some cleaning/sanding and some aerosol rustoleum bed-liner (the kind from Wal Mart.) The coating held up well and didn't chip very much either, but my steps were far too rusty internally (unbeknownst to me) and I ditched them and the brackets after I couldn't find any decent replacements.

Pro-tip: If your tubes sound like rain-sticks; shit-can them and start over.

 

[Jay11]

Did the rustoleum bed-liner stick on to the plastic part?

"Rain-sticks...."
I know what you mean. I shook'em, looked them inside, they are solid.
Thanx for the tips.

 

[projectRanger93]

You could also try the Rustoleum Bumper and Trim paint. Comes in black or dark graphite, depending on what you want. Seal it with a few coats of matte or satin clear and it should last a good amount of time.

 

[1996xlt]

Did the rustoleum bed-liner stick on to the plastic part?

"Rain-sticks...."
I know what you mean. I shook'em, looked them inside, they are solid.
Thanx for the tips.

I'm sure it would stick if you prepped it, but it may chip over time with use.

You can either remove the plastic or mask them off. The tread-portion you step on can be pried up and removed easily, the end caps have a barbed push-clip (you may have already seen by your pic above) that may break if you try to remove them but your local parts house should carry replacements if you want to go that far.

 

[racsan]

by the time you realize they need attention, its most likely too late. I had a set brand new aftermarket that the first thing I did I poured 1/2 qt rustoluem flat black into each tube, rocked it back and forth to coat the insides, kept the outsides cleaned & repainted every year, still after 10 years they started rotting out. as a last - ditch attempt I filled them with expanding foam (comes in a can, meant for construction) went 2 more years then were shot. still not bad getting 12 years out of a set of mild steel aftermarket step bars. (I bought westin brand) I think the real cure is to bite the bullet and pay the serious cash for stainless. esp if your in a salty state. Im in ohio and sometimes theres more salt on the roads then there is snow.