How to stop rusting on bed

Good morning guys! Quick question. I’m drilling into my bed today to install go rhino 2.0 bed bars. I’m afraid within time it will rust. Live in the Texas weather. Should I worry about it? Should I add some primer to the holes? What do you y’all think?

 

I recently drilled some holes and installed threaded inserts in my bed for my slide system. I put some clear silicone in the hole around the inserts. Hopefully that does the trick. Especially through MN Winters...

 

you mean like a 100% all purpose silicone? Like from homedepot or your hardware store? If I’m not mistaken, there are like 3 or 4 different types of silicone? Like a kitchen and bath silicone lol

 

When I install my hood scoop I had to drill holes into my hood (was so nerve wrecking) but my auto body man said to put primer. It’s been 4 months since then but since I can’t see underneath my hood scoop then idk if it rusting down there SMH

 

I hate drilling into my truck and live in an area with salt on the roads so I’m always on the hunt for better ways and better products to keep rust away. Especially from people who build the products I’m installing.

This is my current routine:

1. Only use hardware that won’t rust.
2. File or sand the hole edges.
3. Clean up any shavings.
4. Paint the edges of the hole with rust paint. Usually two coats.
   
5. Apply RTV silicone in and around the bolt.
   
6. Any areas that are hidden get a second shot of rust paint.
   
7. Any areas that get exposed to salt get a hit from a rust protection spray before winter and in early spring.

To date I’ve been fortunate and it’s worked well.

 

100% pure silicone. Not sure if it matters too much. Something that is chemically resistant and will seal the bare metal edge in the hole. If you wanted to put some primer on first, I can't see how it would hurt as long as it is 100% dry before you put the silicone on.