My H2 SUT has OEM side steps the finish is coming off revealing rust. I took the truck to the local powered coater think he could sandblast and refinish. He said that he cant get the plastic steps off without damaging the mounts. Can anyone tell me how to remove the side steps without damage? Or should I just replace them Kinda like the OEM look.

 

I just refinished by black OEM side steps and also have a 2007. I used a large flat head screwdriver and the plastic piece popped off. On mine each there was a black top piece and a redish piece that the top piece snapped into. Took a little force but they popped off...

I would recommend doing it yourself - It was easy.

I used: (1) wire brush (2) 150 and 220 grit sandpaper (3) rust remover and neutralizer (4) primer (5) engine enamel - satin finish black. I bought (1 and 2) at Home Depot and (3,4 and 5) at Advanced Auto. The primer and paint were the same brand.

Abbreviated steps: (1) Remove the steps and bag hardware (2) Use wire brush as required (3) use sand paper - 150 first the 220. I did not take all o fit down to bare metal (3) apply rust remover and neutralizer. It sprays on clear then turns into a primer black (4) prime the entire step. I used the entire can on both steps (5) apply paint. I used the entire can for both steps.

Overall the project took me an hour and it came out great! It snows here and they hold up perfectly.

 

Thanks, the steps came off with some tugging no damage however. After looking at them off the vehicle I decided to have them sandblasted and powder coated. The rust on the back and bottom was worse than I first thought.