DIY - Herculine Your Step Bars

[Cumminalong]

Okay folks, I just finished these up so here's the tips, tricks and tecniques I found that will save you some time if you decide to do this. Total time, without SNAFU's is about 3 - 4 hours, including time enough for them to dry enough to handle and remount.

1 - Remove your bars and remove the step pads.


2 - Removing the step pads is easy, just pop them up with a flat tip screw driver. There are 4 locator pins.


3 - Scuff the existing surface with the included scuff pad. I tried a few things and the pad worked very well.


4 - Mount the bar to a piece of wood, about 1' x 1'. This makes it MUCH easier to coat. It also lets you flip it over and hang in on your tailgate to make the other side easier to coat. Just use the bars main mounting bolt for this.


5 - Coat the step pad areas first. They can be a bit sloppy as the pads cover them. Use a paint brush here.


Coat the bar and roll to texture. I ended up using 4 coats to get a nice, thick, rough texture to them.


Once they dry, just reposition the step pads, replace the end cap, remove the bar from the wood and remount to the truck.

They take about an hour to an hour and a half to dry enough to handle easily.

Finished product.....the texture will depend on how much you roll it while the coating is tacking. Less rolling = smoother texture. More rolling = rougher texture.

[Motorbrreath]

they look good, kinda like my truck does for some reason...

[Cumminalong]

Hmmmmm, I wonder why.....

Hehe!

[5-O Cummins]

Is this possible with my chrome step bars?

[jakebrake]

Should be possible, might have to rough the surface up with some sand paper or emery cloth before you use the scotch brite.

[5-O Cummins]

Ok thanks, couple more questions too.  Is the UV protectant necessary to keep it from turning gray?  Also, when I do my step bars I would like to do my fender flares at the same time, is the bed liner kit enough for both jobs?  If I do the flares, which were a PITA to install, should I remove them to apply or just tape the truck up and apply with them still on?  Thanks in advance!

[Cumminalong]

I didn't use the UV protectant and mine are holding up just fine.

Then again, I've only had the stuff on for about 6 months now.

And yes, the bedliner kit is PLENTY to do your bars and fender flares.

I had enough extra left over to give away to do another set.

[Motorbrreath]

eventually your gonna need it. the truck is startin to grey a little bit.

i say do as many extra coats as you can. Make sure to sand every little part of the surface as well, or it will start to peel.

herculiner is good stuff, as long as the directions are followed to the t

[noplugs]

eventually your gonna need it. the truck is startin to grey a little bit.

i say do as many extra coats as you can. Make sure to sand every little part of the surface as well, or it will start to peel.

herculiner is good stuff, as long as the directions are followed to the t

Yeah, my bed has turned a bit less shiny black....didnt know about that after I did it....<sigh>


I am thinking about doing the steps though, the chrome is looking out of place on my truck.

[Tommygunz]

One of these days I am gonna spend the weekend doing my bed, rockers, steps and possibly bumpers

[Motorbrreath]

eventually your gonna need it. the truck is startin to grey a little bit.

i say do as many extra coats as you can. Make sure to sand every little part of the surface as well, or it will start to peel.

herculiner is good stuff, as long as the directions are followed to the t

Yeah, my bed has turned a bit less shiny black....didnt know about that after I did it....<sigh>


I am thinking about doing the steps though, the chrome is looking out of place on my truck.

All of my bed has faded, except where the toolbox's shadow is, and thats still glossy black. its funny lookin