I have the same problem but after taking the tubes off, I liked the look better and just left them off.
My plan otherwise, or if I decide to put them back on, is to PlastiDip the step pads or paint them with DupliColor Trim & Bumper paint. I used that paint on the exterior trim on my old Xterra because it gets gray and nasty after a few years. All of it was still black and looked new several years later.