Running board trim

marty in Ohio

marty in Ohio

Well-known member
My '30 town sedan has the zinc coated trim on the running boards. After all these years they look like an old garbage can. What will clean them up?
Marty
 
marty in Ohio said:
My '30 town sedan has the zinc coated trim on the running boards. After all these years they look like an old garbage can. What will clean them up?
Marty
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I believe those are solid zinc, not zinc coated. I have not gotten to that point on my TS resto yet but I was going to start out with fine ScotchBrite and see how that went. May proceed to a buffing wheel, maybe on a Dremel tool or die grinder. FWIW, there are polished stainless steel replacement sets available. But beware, the repro trim sets I've seen state that for 1930 there is trim on all four sides of the running board (and that's what the set includes). On my '30 TS the running board is integral with the splash apron, trim only on front, outside and rear. The four-piece set may for repro running boards.
 
Actually, all 1930 running boards, whether they are repros or originals would have trim on the inside edge where the running board meets the splash apron. Unlike the outer edge trim, this piece mounts horizontally with a rolled outside edge that sits on top of the matting. The matting actually slides into the rolled edge and the trim piece is mounted to the running board with small, shallow head screws with nuts that are very similar to the bolts that hold the horn motor flange to the horn projector flange.
 
Thanks for your replies, but again, I'm looking to clean/shine the trim. I'm under the impression that the trim is zinc plated as a magnet sticks to it. Pure zinc will nor attract a magnet.
Marty
 
bobbader said:
Actually, all 1930 running boards, whether they are repros or originals would have trim on the inside edge where the running board meets the splash apron. Unlike the outer edge trim, this piece mounts horizontally with a rolled outside edge that sits on top of the matting. The matting actually slides into the rolled edge and the trim piece is mounted to the running board with small, shallow head screws with nuts that are very similar to the bolts that hold the horn motor flange to the horn projector flange.
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My 1930 Town Sedan has the running board connected to the splash apron. The splash apron is the two piece used on '30. It can not use the trim on the inside edge.

Oddly enough, I see Snyder's has running board trim for the outer edge only but it is listed as for '31.

Edit: After looking at my running boards, I see what you are saying. Thanks.

I see the stainless ones are out of stock.
 
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bobbader said:
Actually, all 1930 running boards, whether they are repros or originals would have trim on the inside edge where the running board meets the splash apron. Unlike the outer edge trim, this piece mounts horizontally with a rolled outside edge that sits on top of the matting. The matting actually slides into the rolled edge and the trim piece is mounted to the running board with small, shallow head screws with nuts that are very similar to the bolts that hold the horn motor flange to the horn projector flange.
Click to expand...

I learned something today. I’ll have to look more closely. Thanks Bob.
 
Hello, the 1930 running board should have the zinc trim on all four sides, on the 1931 board, a change in manufacturing,the rubber is bound to the steel with numerous holes on the underside,rubber trim on inner and sides with just the trim on outer edge. Original 1931 or correct reproduction will have a series of small holes the rubber will protrude through, I believe the correct reproduction were discontinued a short time ago.If the trim is just dull some 2000 grit paper and rubbing compound should shine it up .
 
I took mine off and gave them a good buffing on a wheel with some polishing compound and they came out looking like new. I did the step plates on the running boards as well and repainted the indented background Ford Blue again...let it dry and buffed out the raised points. That said...it kind of looks TOO NEW! Maybe it looked that good when it rolled off the production line.
 
The go-to trick for us cleaning them is to use White Vinegar on a gray Scotchbrite Pad and rub very lightly in one direction.
 
Thank you Brent and gdmn852. You answered my question! I just want to clean them up and not replace them.
Sometimes you ask a guy what time it is and he'll tell you how to build a watch. LOL
Marty
 
Thanks, Brent. White vinegar and a gray pad worked for me. Now my running board trim looks like a NEW garbage can. Can't ask for more than that.
Marty
 
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