If you’ve recently purchased a truck with powered running boards or you’ve upgraded your old running boards for the powered type, congratulations! Powered running boards are so convenient and can add to the overall look and feel of luxury you want for your truck.
Powered running boards function in a pretty straightforward way. They are retracted underneath the truck when the door is closed and they come out automatically when the door is opened. This feature makes it easier for the elderly, children, and anyone who’s not particularly tall to easily get into your truck. But if you want your running boards to last as long as possible without issues, you need to maintain them. There are a few things you should do regularly to ensure your powered running boards always work the way they should.
Routine Maintenance
With powered side steps for trucks, it’s easy for debris and dirt to get into the moving parts and cause them to malfunction. You can help prevent this by washing your truck regularly and making sure you focus your attention on your running board and its moving parts. Direct streams of water to these areas to dislodge any small pebbles or other debris so that your running boards will always move smoothly and easily.
Another important type of maintenance is to lubricate the boards. Many people use a motorcycle chain lube to keep the boards lubricated. This may be especially important if you live in a salty climate, since salt can gum up the moving components of your running boards and freeze them in place. If your running boards seem to operate in a jerky manner at any time, use lubricant to help them move more smoothly. Following these maintenance tips will help your AMP automatic steps function properly.
Aluminum Running Board Cleaning
If you have aluminum custom power running boards, you’ll want to wash them regularly because they’ll show every bit of dirt and grime they collect during your drives. Here’s how to properly clean aluminum running boards.
- Get your favorite gentle cleaner and a soft sponge to clean running boards that are only a little bit dirty.
- If you’re dealing with more stubborn stains on your aluminum running board, use a pressure wash machine or go through a pressure wash to remove them. This step may be necessary if you’re seeing signs of corrosion on your running board.
- A wire brush is a great tool for your tough-cleaning needs. Just make sure you only apply gentle pressure to the areas of your aluminum running board that you can’t seem to get clean with other cleaning methods.
- For an ultra-shiny finish, you may wish to apply an aluminum polish to your running boards.
To avoid water stains, use a clean microfiber cloth to immediately dry your running boards after you’ve gotten them sufficiently clean.
If you follow these maintenance tips, you can keep your aluminum running boards looking shiny and new as long as possible. You don’t have to clean your running boards every day. Just do it once per week or as needed when they start to look dull and dirty.