Mavcoat, Fluid Film, etc. vs. paint or powdercoat sliders

I have a set of sliders on order in raw steel. I was just going to hit them with some black paint, since that will be easier to maintain and touch up vs. powder coating.

However, I like the look of the sliders in their raw steel form. I know you can get a clear powder coat, but I'm thinking of hitting them with some Mavcoat, Fluid Film, or something else. More expensive than paint, cheaper than powdercoat, can be touched up easily, keeps the raw steel look. Anyone have any thoughts or experience with this?

 

I rattle canned my sliders for the same reason, had 'em for 2 weeks before I began scratching 'em and the paint is easy to touch up. You can get clear in a rattle can too. I don't think it will quite as obvious if you scratch the clear and you might not notice 'til rust starts but it should be in really easy spots to sand and touch up. Just my .02

 

I like where your going with this but, definitely don't use fluid film on something your going to be stepping on. That's a neck breaker waiting to happen.

 

+1 on not using fluid film on somewhere you step on. I fluid filmed one of my trailers and as soon as I went to step on the tongue I met the ground. I'd clear coat it. But if It does get scratched and starts to rust you'll have to sand it. Won't be as easy as black paint to touch up but still easier than powder coat and cheaper.

 

Appreciate the advice on fluid film. I'll stay away from it for this purpose. I did get a few bottles of MavCoat the other day and sprayed some on my shocks. The finish seems to be tackier than fluid film. However, it doesn't seem like it'll be very durable. I'm not worried about the bottom of the sliders, since that will need to be touched up whenever put to use, but it seems the MavCoat might rub off in the spots where people step. At $20 a bottle, it's not as cheap as a rattle can from walmart, but a bottle will probably last a year or two of touchups. One of the advantages of MavCoat is that overspray doesn't seem to be as much of an issue as with a paint or clear coat. I'll give it a shot whenever the sliders come in, but will probably end up going with some cheaper stuff down the road.

 

Hey, Lou, what'd you end up doing with your sliders?

 

I ended up spray painting them. Figured it would be the easiest method as far as touchups go. The Mavcoat leaves a bluish waxy residue. Another option might be Steel-It, which is like a spray paint that has stainless steel in it. Kind of expensive though. I might do a spray on bedliner later this year if the paint chips off too easily.

 

Nice! Looks great. Are those P&P sliders?