Patina - yes or no?

[Shearwater]

On my to do list this last spring was repainting the steps to our 5.0 but then stuff happened and I never got around to it. I'm kind of liking the patina but I know too much of a good thing can be trouble. What are others doing with their steps?

 

[WillyB]

I've been told my grey "Patina" hair is rather dashing.

I voted the Keep the patina.

 

[Donna D.]

Patina is one thing (it's from oxidation) and then there's rust. That's rust. You can always use a rust converter on the steps, THEN paint with a satin or flat paint. THAT would look more like patina...

 

[Centex]

still au naturale

(tightly adhered non-flaky surface rust, which by definition is iron oxide, aka "oxidation")

 

[Drives1937]

I covered mine in nonskid that you can get at Home Depot. I did that on a couple of my trailers so that the dog's toenails would not get caught in the holes. It still looks great. Knock the rust off with a wire brush and paint with a can of spray paint before sticking on the nonskid.

Ken In AZ

 

[escape artist]

On my to do list this last spring was repainting the steps to our 5.0 but then stuff happened and I never got around to it. I'm kind of liking the patina but I know too much of a good thing can be trouble. What are others doing with their steps?

Hi: Shearwater... Looks quite like mine but a 2 step. I took mine off a while ago and sprayed rust converter and satin black Tremclad... but the rust came back, so now I just call it "Black patina"!!! Footsteps don't affect it either. :whistling: Alf
escape artist N.S. of Lake Erie

 

[BravoDeltaRomeo]

I covered mine in nonskid that you can get at Home Depot. I did that on a couple of my trailers so that the dog's toenails would not get caught in the holes. It still looks great. Knock the rust off with a wire brush and paint with a can of spray paint before sticking on the nonskid.

Ken In AZ

We use these to make them dog safe and barefoot friendly. Take them off between trips and for travel

Camco 42925-X RV Wrap Around Step Rug, Grey https://a.co/d/7naUQYK

Eventually I'll clean mine up to protect the metal long term. Cordless drill, wire brush, Por15 and some black Rustoleum rattle can will make them good as new.

 

[iamunique127]

I really have no idea what my step looks like. I use a wrap around step rug like BDR above but don't take it off. They are cheap so when it gets worn out I put on new one.

 

[huskersteffy]

Have used the wrap around step rugs for a number of years and yes, they are definitely cheap enough to keep replacing as they wear out.

The only wrinkle I've experienced is that the springs holding them in place are kind of flimsy and don't keep the windward edge from folding back a bit (the side facing the front of the trailer). A simple solution is a bungie cord wrapped around the windward side edge.

 

[Donna D.]

The only wrinkle I've experienced is that the springs holding them in place are kind of flimsy and don't keep the windward edge from folding back a bit (the side facing the front of the trailer). A simple solution is a bungie cord wrapped around the windward side edge.

I never have used those crappy springs, I've always used zip ties. Haven't noticed I needed to use something else.

 

[huskersteffy]

Zip Ties! An even better solution. That's why you make the big bucks Donna!

 

[occer]

If you have a pet buy step covers there not as expensive as a vet visit.

The first day when we picked up our trailer our dog caught his toe nail on one of the holes and tore the nail off. It bleeds like crazy and he will no longer use stairs that are not solid, Our steps now have the carpet covers.

 

[Drives1937]

I have the nonskid on the metal, but I put a carpeted cover over that when we are camping. We travel with our two Yellow Labradors. Just got back from four days camping in northern Arizona at Sunset Crater. It was good to get out of the heat.

Ken in AZ

 

[Steven M]

If you really want to keep the patina look and protect what is there I suggest that you trow the term 'patina clear coat for cars' into tour favorite search engine. There are some that spray on and some that simply wipe on. One thing you should know they aren't cheap.

 

[DanandDaphne]

You guys must have that humidity stuff, the step on our 2018 doesn't have any rust to speak of, ours is still all black. Our carpet cover gave out so I got this scrubby step cover from Amazon https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0CZG3XB66/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

It's too tall and it's a real bear to get the step to slide in or out and it's kind of harsh on bare feet. It was also too long so I had to trim it and cut two new holes for the straps. I think we'll be going back to the camco step cover.

 

[Shearwater]

No more patina. Sanded the pitted spots, washed it down, sprayed with Rust-Oleum rust converter and brushed on a top coat of Rust-Oleum oil based satin black.

 

[DanandDaphne]

Looks great!

I found these step covers, same materials as Camco but less expensive.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CM1LSYJB?th=1

Only tan but that's ok with us they only last a year or two so I got the three pack. Three for $20, not bad.