Hi all

I have only ha the running board on the at for less than a year and they are caked it what looks like grime.

It looks like droplets of brake dust or something

I have tried the typical wash n wax, tar remover, degreaser and even alloy cleaner an nothing will bring it off

You guys have any suggestions?

i use scotch which is what body shops use to rub down paint, you can get 3 grades so start with rough then onto smooth

Autosol metal polish! The scotchbrite is the stuff for cleaning, autosol for a shine!!

Scotchbrite as in the sandpaper/rubbing stone or do they do a cutting compound?

Any idea what I can put on it to protect it in the future?

Scotchbrite is the green abrasive sponge? Like a soft wire wool! Use that wet and dry to get all the oxidised crap off, then your autosol metal polish! I don't have a recommendation for a good sealer? I'm sure someone else can advise! I don't do any sealing, I prefer cleaning often!!! Def more time consuming!

Thanks for the advice.

I think we use that at work I will give it a go.

I assume its solid aluminium and not just a top coating or aluminium lookalike?

Yes, solid aluminium! You'd be best to give them a good shake, just the aluminium part? Make sure there secured properly! They are only riveted on and they rot in time? Mines us secured with self tapers now! They are much easier to clean off anyway! Don't want to polish them up only for them to fall off and be lost??

Think the finish is anodised. Mine were very dull and quite pitted on the leading ends. Came up nicely when I took off the whole sidesteps and polished up the ally bits with metal polishing mops mounted on a bench grinder. Was shocked to see how much filth was trapped under the rubber part of the steps. Washed the whole assembly and then reassembled with a coat of waxoyl for protection on the undersides. Just used hard wax to protect the polished edges. 2008 MY Java Black TDV8 HSE