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Running boards needing cleaning? Good deal?

Discuss your latest mods or ideas, and anything to do with the BMW X5 (E53).
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deckie77
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Running boards needing cleaning? Good deal?

Post by deckie77 » Tue Mar 01, 2011 11:21 pm

Sure it's not just me thinking it's time to sort out my running boards, & after having Wonder wheels recommended on the forum i found this which i thought had to be good value at that price, so i bought some, Will never need to buy ever againhttp://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Carplan-Wonder-Wh ... 20b771d5b1
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blingsta
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Re: Running boards needing cleaning? Good deal?

Post by blingsta » Wed Mar 02, 2011 1:10 am

does wonder wheels actually work? mines kinda heavily pitted !! matey tried a bit of metal polish in a small area which made it come out quite nice, but was alot of elbow grease on the smallest of areas, so i dont fancy doing the whole 2 sides. !! looking for a easy option ?

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Running boards needing cleaning? Good deal?

Post by ITBarbie » Wed Mar 02, 2011 7:56 am

Hi Blingsta

Yes it works for a quick easy clean. Great for small pitting and salt marks but just remember to agitate it before you wash off. I have to admit the best mine ever looked was when I popped off the plugs and used wire wool but wonderwheels is brill :-)


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blingsta
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Re: Running boards needing cleaning? Good deal?

Post by blingsta » Wed Mar 02, 2011 8:23 am

Lovely, thanks for that. I'll buy some and give it a go. How did you take the plugs off? just use a sharp knife and pop them up?

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Re: Running boards needing cleaning? Good deal?

Post by deckie77 » Wed Mar 02, 2011 9:59 am

I've read other posts on it, and blunt inplements is the way to go i think (not tried it yet) so not to scratch / dig into soft metal, i think lift an edge with a table knife then roll / push grommet to one side to "pop" the oversized under body of the grommet - that's how i read it anyway, home next week, wonderwheels should be there will let yous know how i get on.
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Re: Running boards needing cleaning? Good deal?

Post by shaunos » Wed Mar 02, 2011 4:04 pm

[quote=""blingsta""]Lovely, thanks for that. I'll buy some and give it a go. How did you take the plugs off? just use a sharp knife and pop them up?[/quote]

Halfrauds sell a trim removing tool suitable for various different kinds of plastic bits and bobs.... quite handy to have...
http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/stor ... yId_165572

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Re: Running boards needing cleaning? Good deal?

Post by CondorX5 » Wed Mar 02, 2011 5:53 pm

The Wonder wheels really does work.....albeit, it doesn't last for long and needs doing quite frequently. Less labour intensive than Autosol polish and works better IMHO.I also bought one of those 5l packs :) Halfords had them on a special when they were doing the trolley jacks so I bought some then, one of the few times I buy anything there is when they have these sale specials.
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Running boards needing cleaning? Good deal?

Post by ITBarbie » Wed Mar 02, 2011 10:08 pm

[quote=""blingsta""]Lovely, thanks for that. I'll buy some and give it a go. How did you take the plugs off? just use a sharp knife and pop them up?[/quote]

I used two spoons and levered them off. Worked a treat. I used wonderwheels again today on the boards and they are nice and clean :-)


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Re: Running boards needing cleaning? Good deal?

Post by Jalf » Wed Mar 02, 2011 10:52 pm

Do the rubber blobs come off the same way on the E70/71s? had a quick try tonight but I didn't want to force them too much.

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Re: Running boards needing cleaning? Good deal?

Post by Smeeagain » Thu Mar 03, 2011 6:10 pm

that Halfords tool doesn't look too comfortable to hold especially when there are so many plugs to be popped out !!!

Smee

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Running boards needing cleaning? Good deal?

Post by ITBarbie » Thu Mar 03, 2011 9:06 pm

Don't know about the e70 I'm afraid :-(


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Re: Running boards needing cleaning? Good deal?

Post by shaunos » Wed Mar 23, 2011 10:35 am

that Halfords tool doesn't look too comfortable to hold especially when there are so many plugs to be popped out !!!
Yeah I guess the halfords tool isn't ideal for just this job but it does come with many heads on it for various different kinds of trim removal.....

+1 on the wonder wheels btw, I used it for the first time last night on the running boards and it does a great job.

~S.

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Re: Running boards needing cleaning? Good deal?

Post by x555 » Fri Mar 25, 2011 8:10 pm

As said wonder wheels works great (there was a good thread on this on the old forum)and will last well if you clean the car regularly but if left they will stain/pit very quikly again :cry:
All depends on which running boards you have as 54 plate onwards they changed them for shiny=er looking ones that pit easily pre 04 mplates are slightly duller in colour but hold up very well and dont pit/stain as much :roll:
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Re: Running boards needing cleaning? Good deal?

Post by Sanj » Fri Mar 25, 2011 8:31 pm

Think this is out-of-order on BMW's behalf. Always strive to improve and yet they go backwards on this one???? :scratchhead:

We checked this out at the meet with mine against another, next to each other (04 against newer). I've NEVER given mine a proper clean and they still look good. Bit of effort and they would be pristine.

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Running boards needing cleaning? Good deal?

Post by Rusty » Fri Mar 25, 2011 8:37 pm

Hmmmm, might drop you a pm with offers like that.


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