OEM Step rails Powder Coat, Chrome or strip and polish

mopar · 08-16-2005, 10:18 PM

I bought some Used OEM step rails and they have some of the paint flaking off and a couple of scratches(more than expected but the price was decent). From What I've learned they are aluminum so I know I could strip the paint off and polish them but can I have them Powdercoated black?? or have them chrome plated?? I read somewhere you can't chrome plate aluminum but I keep seeing those OEM rims chrome plated so I think it can be done anyone know fore sure?? I know powder coating uses electrical charge so can this be done to aluminum??? Anyone with any knowledge in these areas please let me know. Also please post your thoughts as to which would look the best, hold up the best and most practical.
Thanks
Sean

titan33 · 08-16-2005, 10:47 PM

Im going to get my oem step rails powder coated black. I think they will look good with my black truck. I got quoted $130 to get them powder coated the guy said I would have to take off all the plastic peices off the step rails because they wood melt in the oven during the powedr coating process.the plastic end caps are easy to take off there held by just one screw. the hard part is pulling the step pads off you have to be real careful not to break the tabs so that when you put them back on they stay on nice and tight.I used a flat head screw driver to pop the step pads off. so far i have one step rail completely stripped and ready to be powder coated. Im kinda lazy to do the other but I will post pics once there done.

mopar · 08-17-2005, 08:46 AM

Maybe I could lineX them wonder how that would look??

phillipyang · 08-19-2005, 01:15 AM

ask the place who does chrome personally. I'm sure they can tell you either or.

TulsaTitan · 08-20-2005, 05:48 PM

I've stripped mine and plan to polish as soon as it cools down a little. They don't look bad now, but want a little more shine!!

Mike H. · 08-20-2005, 08:08 PM

I'm personally a fan of strip and polish for obvious reasons. Been running them that way for 9 months now. Click the link in my sig for details.

docopharm · 08-20-2005, 10:09 PM

Cost me about $9 to do mine in black - Rustoleum spray paint. 8000 miles and only one little ding on the passenger side one. Click on "my gallery" in my sig to see them up close.