Do these bars come ready to install, or do they need to be painted?

They ship with a silver powder-coat finish applied — no paint or prep work needed. Bolt them on straight out of the box.

What hardware comes with these bars?

Mounting hardware is included. You'll need basic hand tools and about an hour to install at the factory rocker points.

Can I use these bars to step up into the truck bed?

These mount to the rocker panels below the cab doors. Use them for cab entry and exit only — they're not rated for stepping toward the bed.