Nerf bar painting and replacement pads

[LawrenceB Herwitz]

I have a 2002 ST. The Nerf bars are pretty scratched up on the top side. I was thinking of spray painting them black with the bedliner spray paint. I see how to get the Nerf bars themselves off. But how do you get the step pads off. The step pads are gray and so are the nerf bars. So I was thinking of going black with the bars and painting the pad separately if that works. If that doesn't work I was thinking of getting replacement pads for the bars. Does anybody know where to get replacement pads. And what is the best way to get the pads off. Thanks for all your help

 

[Brian Drolet]

I found this in the Projects section.



http://www.mysporttrac.com/mysporttrac/projects/StepPads/RR_StepPads.html



And it looks like you can get new step pads here if yours break.



http://www.fordparts.com/Commerce/CatalogResults.aspx?y=2002&m=Ford&mo=Explorer%20Sport%20Trac&initSearch=1&partNo=16490#Search



If that link is broken, go to fordparts.com, enter your vehicle, and the step pad is part 16490.



Good luck!

 

[Jeffksf B]

I've used a putty knife to pry those pads up and pop the fasteners.

 

[Mark K 2]

I've used a putty knife to pry those pads up and pop the fasteners.

That's what I did, too.

 

[LawrenceB Herwitz]

Thanks for the info. I now am armed to attack the project.

 

[LawrenceB Herwitz]

I'm now thinking what paint should I use on the nerf bars. I am going to go from factory light grey to black. And also I'm thinking of painting the step pads too. Any suggestions? I was thinking of using bedtimes paint on the step pads. And don't kone what paint to use on the actual bars. Thanks in advance

 

[Richard L]

If you use bed-liner paint to paint the bars, you might want to tape over the holes where the tread pads snap into the bars. Bed-liner paint is pretty thick and may clogg the pad mounting holes making it difficult to mount the pads and then you will be digging out the holes with a knife:angry:



...Rich

 

[LawrenceB Herwitz]

Just an update and a thank you to those that were helping with it. About 2 to 3 months ago I did complete the repainting of the Nerf bars. I did use bedliner spray paint took everybody's advice also put painters tape over the holes after I got the pads off kept the same pads so now the Nerf bars or black step pads are still gray I will post a picture sooner or later right now my son has the truck. But it came out excellent. The only thing I would suggest is like I did I primer at it with an anti-rust primer and it made it go very smoothly:haveabeer::haveabeer::haveabeer: