Has Anyone Blacked out Aluminum Running Boards? - XBimmers.com

nigxdoof · 12-31-2012, 10:39 AM

Hi Everyone,

I just wondered if anyone has blacked out the aluminum running boards to Matte Black or any black for that matter? I have a platinum Grey 2012 X5 and have been trying to get rid of all chrome and metal on the car. (emblems, exhaust tips, etc...) The last item is the aluminum running boards. Does anyone have any pictures? experience? What did you do to black them out? Powder Coat? Take it off and spray it yourself with matte black paint?

And lastly, What is your opinion on making them black to blend in with the car?

Sylvan Lake V35 · 12-31-2012, 11:26 PM

Have seen a few guys do it, not sure what they used but I would think you need something durable like powder coat. It looks pretty good I'll try to find a few pictures of a couple I have seen.

A quick look all I could find was a photoshop.... Second picture down in this thread.

http://www.xbimmers.com/forums/showthread.php?t=723196

Here is one that is real.

http://www.xbimmers.com/forums/showt...&highlight=Bbs

StephansonTieu · 01-01-2013, 01:31 PM

I blacked mine out, all i did was remove all debris and oil, taped it up then put 3 layers of rocker panel paint. They have been on for about 3 months now and perfectly fine.

suttond20 · 01-01-2013, 01:45 PM

nice

nigxdoof · 01-01-2013, 08:39 PM

Now my next question is, how do we take off the aluminum part of the running boards off the car?

Edit:

I just saw the DIY guide to install it.. boy it seems painful. But I dont want to have aluminum showing on the car. Hmm... Don't know what to do. Since its been installed, uninstalling it should be fairly simple right? Has anyone taken it off after install?

StephansonTieu · 01-01-2013, 11:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nigxdoof

Now my next question is, how do we take off the aluminum part of the running boards off the car?

Edit:

I just saw the DIY guide to install it.. boy it seems painful. But I dont want to have aluminum showing on the car. Hmm... Don't know what to do. Since its been installed, uninstalling it should be fairly simple right? Has anyone taken it off after install?

Its basically the same process backwards, but taking the aluminium off the plastic will be difficult, i think its held in by special rivets.

JKM320 · 01-02-2013, 12:52 PM

Actually, the aluminium is screwed on I believe, and mostly just held in place by the other parts and a hooked lip. I'm going off of memory, but I do know that there are no rivets holding on the aluminium. the only rivets involved are those for the fender flares or inside wheel well area.

I had to take the aluminium off of the first side I had installed because I forgot to place the foam pad under it. So i did the uninstall of the sidestep that I was working on and put it in. it wasn't fun, but nothing too difficult if you have the time and drive to do it. Then just taking the aluminium pieces (2 of them) to a powder coat company would be all you need to do.

Good luck and post pics if you do it.

Happy New Year!

StephansonTieu · 01-02-2013, 01:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JKM320

Actually, the aluminium is screwed on I believe, and mostly just held in place by the other parts and a hooked lip. I'm going off of memory, but I do know that there are no rivets holding on the aluminium. the only rivets involved are those for the fender flares or inside wheel well area.

I had to take the aluminium off of the first side I had installed because I forgot to place the foam pad under it. So i did the uninstall of the sidestep that I was working on and put it in. it wasn't fun, but nothing too difficult if you have the time and drive to do it. Then just taking the aluminium pieces (2 of them) to a powder coat company would be all you need to do.

Good luck and post pics if you do it.

Happy New Year!

Ohh okay, thanks! i haven't seen it since it was installed, which was probably 6 years ago.

BMWX54SFV · 01-05-2013, 06:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by suttond20

nice

Not to my taste. I have been looking for some chrome items to ADD!
Anything except the post chrome which sticks out like a drunk taking a leak in an ally!

Would love to find some surround chrome for the rear tail lights. Anyone have a site I can go to let me know.

brian5 · 01-05-2013, 07:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BMWX54SFV

Not to my taste. I have been looking for some chrome items to ADD!
Anything except the post chrome which sticks out like a drunk taking a leak in an ally!

Would love to find some surround chrome for the rear tail lights. Anyone have a site I can go to let me know.

It looks ugly but you can find them on eBay.

12-31-2012, 10:39 AM	#1
nigxdoof Private First Class Drives: 2004 E60 530i, 2012 E70 X5 35i Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: NYC Posts: 121 iTrader: (0)	Has Anyone Blacked out Aluminum Running Boards? Hi Everyone, I just wondered if anyone has blacked out the aluminum running boards to Matte Black or any black for that matter? I have a platinum Grey 2012 X5 and have been trying to get rid of all chrome and metal on the car. (emblems, exhaust tips, etc...) The last item is the aluminum running boards. Does anyone have any pictures? experience? What did you do to black them out? Powder Coat? Take it off and spray it yourself with matte black paint? And lastly, What is your opinion on making them black to blend in with the car? __________________ 2004 E60 530i & 2012 E70 X5 35i Back to stock.
	Tweet

12-31-2012, 11:26 PM	#2
Sylvan Lake V35 Vanilla Gorrilla Drives: X5 35d Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: At your moms house watching TV Posts: 88 iTrader: (0)	Have seen a few guys do it, not sure what they used but I would think you need something durable like powder coat. It looks pretty good I'll try to find a few pictures of a couple I have seen. A quick look all I could find was a photoshop.... Second picture down in this thread. http://www.xbimmers.com/forums/showthread.php?t=723196 Here is one that is real. http://www.xbimmers.com/forums/showt...&highlight=Bbs __________________ X5 Diesel, Lowered & Tuned/Sierra Z71 "All Terrain" Lifted & Tuned/700hp 3.8L Twin Turbo G35 Last edited by Sylvan Lake V35; 12-31-2012 at 11:50 PM.

01-01-2013, 08:39 PM	#5
nigxdoof Private First Class Drives: 2004 E60 530i, 2012 E70 X5 35i Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: NYC Posts: 121 iTrader: (0)	Now my next question is, how do we take off the aluminum part of the running boards off the car? Edit: I just saw the DIY guide to install it.. boy it seems painful. But I dont want to have aluminum showing on the car. Hmm... Don't know what to do. Since its been installed, uninstalling it should be fairly simple right? Has anyone taken it off after install? __________________ 2004 E60 530i & 2012 E70 X5 35i Back to stock. Last edited by nigxdoof; 01-01-2013 at 08:50 PM.

Thread Tools	Search this Thread
Show Printable Version Email this Page	Search this Thread: Advanced Search

01-01-2013, 01:31 PM	#3
StephansonTieu X5 Enthusiast Drives: 2001 BMW x5 3.0i Join Date: May 2012 Location: Toronto, Ontario Posts: 120 iTrader: (0) Garage List 2001 BMW X5 [4.50]	I blacked mine out, all i did was remove all debris and oil, taped it up then put 3 layers of rocker panel paint. They have been on for about 3 months now and perfectly fine.

01-01-2013, 01:45 PM	#4
suttond20 New Member Drives: X6 Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: Omaha Posts: 5 iTrader: (0)	nice

01-02-2013, 12:52 PM	#7
JKM320 Private Drives: X5 Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Orange County, CA Posts: 54 iTrader: (0)	Actually, the aluminium is screwed on I believe, and mostly just held in place by the other parts and a hooked lip. I'm going off of memory, but I do know that there are no rivets holding on the aluminium. the only rivets involved are those for the fender flares or inside wheel well area. I had to take the aluminium off of the first side I had installed because I forgot to place the foam pad under it. So i did the uninstall of the sidestep that I was working on and put it in. it wasn't fun, but nothing too difficult if you have the time and drive to do it. Then just taking the aluminium pieces (2 of them) to a powder coat company would be all you need to do. Good luck and post pics if you do it. Happy New Year!