RCI sliders in bare metal... What do I coat them with?

Like the title says, I jumped on the Labor Day deal that RCI had (still waiting for them to be built/shipped), and because shipping isn't kind to powder coating I orded them bare metal. Not a major deal as I figure I will want something coating it that I can touch up pretty easily, and powder coating isn't done anywhere close to me.

And that's where I hit a snag. I really don't know what all the options are. I would prefer to get something that I can do myself pretty easily/cost effectively, and that isn't a monster to touch up. I'm thinking a rattle can solution?
I've read where some people have used rustoleam (Spelling?) bed liner. I worry the bedliner might be too grippy for the sliders to actually slide over somthing without either putting extra stress on them, or just getting peeled off like a banana skin.

Any info you guys have on things you've used in a similar application, pros and cons, etc. would be great. I'm asking in this region because the weather is sure to be a factor.

TLDR = Durable rattle can solution for coating sliders that is cost effective and good for touch ups?

 

I’d keep it simple. Self etching primer and black Rustolium paint. Easy touch up.

 

Would that take a lot of potential rock chips well? My road is a dirt/gravel/washboard/mud/f**king pave it already?! county road with a gravel pit on it, and I have a minimum of 2 miles of that every day. Just wondering if the easy touch ups would have to be a weekly thing. lol

 

Yeah it’ll chip. Liner would be most durable.

 

Depends on how you will be using your truck, Actually out climbing and sliding over rocks and such or mostly a pavement pounder with dirt and gravel roads every now and then.

If the first option the rattle can and move on since they are going to get beat up anyway, and as mentioned touch up is easy.

If the second option then line x and move on.

 

I see the wisdom here. Trouble is, I'm not 100% sure. I'm kind of trying to change some things about and I might want to start going out into the offroading stuff more. In a bit of a transitional phase you could say. I can't get too crazy because this is DD and only vehicle, but I kind of want to try and keep some options open.

 

Just a follow up/finish up to this thread. The sliders finally showed up, and the soon after my local body shop called to let me know they can get me in for my bedliner that I've been after for a couple months. Figured I'd see if they'd let me expand the appointment to include the sliders, and they said they can do it all at the same time. With that bit of good news my decision is made. Just wanted to thank you guys that chimed in with advice on it. Once it actually happens and they are installed I'll throw picks in the -> https://www.tundras.com/threads/what-have-you-done-to-your-3rd-gen-tundra-today.713/ thread.

 

I’m very curious how it looks and works with the rails...that thread is huge, so I’d appreciate a bump here so we know to go look....or is it done already?

 

I haven't installed them yet. Hoping for Tuesday.

 

Rustoleum self-etching primer. Rustoleum spray on bed liner. Make sure to degrease prior to the primer. Just sprayed my white knuckle off road sliders this past weekend. they look great

 

Etched primed and spray canned bare sliders with truck liner. After hitting the trails and coming back with some battle scars I think matching the paint is better than a HD coating.

 

Harbor freight truck bed liner. Its tough, its 1 part ready to apply out of the can and it is so easy to touch up with a roller every other year. On the plus side, the left over liner in the can does not dry up when not in use.

The stuff is tough and easy to apply. I use it for everything from bumpers to bed racks to entire utility trailers.

 

I’m spraying my sliders with black raptor liner with sand mixed into it. Good grip, easy touch up with a brush and a can.

 

Yeah, I was lazy and had my local body shop bedline it when they did the bed.