when cleaning running boards

Smeeagain · Post by **Smeeagain** » Sat Feb 25, 2012 12:06 am

I'm planning to thoroughly clean my running boards when the weather gets better. I'e read the various previous posts about removing the rubber grommets but my question is when the rubber parts is removed and the hole exposed if any cleaning liquid goes down there does it drain away somewhere or is is just stuck in there ......?

jaynana · Post by **jaynana** » Sat Feb 25, 2012 9:03 am

Haven't personally checked or done this but I'm confident it will drain away, cos that's how these things are designed. After all those rubbery bits are not guranteed water proof so seepinage needs to drain away.

Having said that I'm not sure if what you're trying to do is recommended cos by removing those they could get loose? And then they could fall off when stepped on etc? I've seen cars with a few fallen off.

JAMMA · Post by **JAMMA** » Sat Feb 25, 2012 9:14 am

I cleaned the running boards on my x5 yesterday and just left the rubber grommets in place. No harm done.

E53X5Paul · Post by **E53X5Paul** » Sat Feb 25, 2012 9:18 am

Hi Jamma

What did you use to clean them? I have stains on mine (road grime I guess) and can't get them perfect

JAMMA · Post by **JAMMA** » Sat Feb 25, 2012 9:29 am

First I used some degreaser and a scouring sponge to get te worst of the grime off, then I used metal polish and some good old fashioned elbow grease to finish off. Theyve came up great

gadgetJunky72 · Post by **gadgetJunky72** » Sat Feb 25, 2012 10:05 am

is it fine to leave the rubber grommets in place when using Wonder Wheels?

Rusty · Post by **Rusty** » Sat Feb 25, 2012 10:19 am

If you take them out and clean with wonder wheels for example, any that goes down the holes will be rinsed away when you wash them off. Just make sure you rinse well and all will be fine. Taking them out will give better results but it's up to you.

Jmo

Sent from my iPod device using Tapatalk

gadgetJunky72 · Post by **gadgetJunky72** » Sat Feb 25, 2012 10:29 am

thanks for the reply.

i was more concerned about Wonder Wheels affecting the rubber. is it ok to leave them in from that perspective? cheers.

ITBarbie · Post by **ITBarbie** » Sat Feb 25, 2012 4:42 pm

It's fine to leave them in and won't affect the grommets. Have been using it for nearly three years now and works a treat.

If the boards are really pitted you can take out all of the grommets and use some fine grade wire wool and then seal after

garethdeb · Post by **garethdeb** » Sun Feb 26, 2012 9:03 am

On this subject, I've got a couple of missing grommets. Any ideas where to get them? I expect my BMW main dealer will tell me I have to replace the whole running board!
Cheers guys.
Gareth

---
I am here: http://tapatalk.com/map.php?v5vfgo

dirtymonkey29 · Post by **dirtymonkey29** » Sun Feb 26, 2012 9:28 am

No you can get rubber grommets from main dealer pretty cheap. Have a look on realoem for part numbers.

http://realoem.com/bmw/showparts.do?mod ... g=51&fg=16

gadgetJunky72 · Post by **gadgetJunky72** » Sun Feb 26, 2012 9:30 am

uh oh!!!

i hope stealing running board grommets isn't the latest teenage craze.

can't imagine its anywhere near as cool as wearing a VW sign round your neck

pvr · Post by **pvr** » Sun Feb 26, 2012 9:38 am

Perhaps they use them for those ear plugs now that seems to be a fashion ?

ITBarbie · Post by **ITBarbie** » Sun Feb 26, 2012 11:12 am

Just smile and flutter your eyelashes and the dealer will give them to you free

pvr · Post by **pvr** » Sun Feb 26, 2012 11:47 am

That only works for you and Sanj though

XSeries-forum

XSeries-forum