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Step/slider paint

Discussion in 'General Tundra Discussion' started by BlackSheep, Mar 19, 2021.

  1. Mar 19, 2021 at 6:32 PM
    #1
    BlackSheep

    BlackSheep [OP] caffeinated member

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    Alright guys, I need an assist. I built some sliders a few months ago and welded them on my truck. Based on some thoughts shared on the forum, I elected to paint them with rustoleum bed liner spray instead of powder coating, the advantage being that they are easier to touch up as needed that way. Well, that is definitely true, and I’ve had to do a lot more touching up than I thought I would this far in. Every month or so, I see surface rust showing through the paint. I’ve cleaned, brushed, applied opsho, and repainted them three times already. It’s getting old. What can I coat these things with that’s going to be more durable? I don’t mind recoating them once a year or so, but doing this every month is excessive. What products and methods have you had success with on bumpers, sliders or any other steel parts that see the weather?
     
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  2. Mar 19, 2021 at 7:37 PM
    #2
    BlueRibbon4x4

    BlueRibbon4x4 Let’s color match it

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    The steel should be properly primed. Sand the old coatings off and clean thoroughly with acetone. Prime with self-etching primer. This will ensure a proper bond with the steel and whatever you choose to coat over the top.
    When you scrape up your sliders on rocks again, sand a little more of the finish off around the surrounding area. Hit it with a little more self etching primer, and then your top coat.
     
    Last edited: Mar 19, 2021
    07 Tundie and saybng like this.
  3. Mar 19, 2021 at 8:12 PM
    #3
    BlackSheep

    BlackSheep [OP] caffeinated member

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    Goshhhhh is that it? The product specifically says for use on bare or primed metal surfaces. I was in cost-cutting mode so I skipped the primer.

    I wonder if it would make a difference if I applied a shit ton of coats to the areas that keep showing rust. Those are basically just the fronts of the brackets I made to attach to the frame, and where I put my feet to step on them. I’d rather try that first then sand them all down and repaint only if it’s absolutely necessary.

    For anyone who reads this years down the line, for the love of God don’t weld your sliders to your frame. Spend the extra few bucks to fab or buy brackets and drill holes in the frame to install. It sucks so much that I can’t easily remove mine to do basic maintenance on them.
     
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  4. Mar 19, 2021 at 9:09 PM
    #4
    BlueRibbon4x4

    BlueRibbon4x4 Let’s color match it

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    The primer seals the metal from any rust penetrating. Just because the product says bare metal is ok, doesn’t mean that it’s actually a good idea. It may adhere, but moisture may be getting through.
    If rust is already showing, and you just cover it up with more coats, the metal will continue to rust underneath all those coats.
     
  5. Mar 19, 2021 at 9:10 PM
    #5
    Cruzer

    Cruzer Wheeling Full Size

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    Welded on is much more stiff and stronger than bolt on, which is better for some serious wheeling. I’ve been touching up my sliders yearly. Definitely have to clean and then primer before any topcoat. Self etching is good and potent stuff so make sure to have good ventilation and a good mask. This year I decided to paint the whole thing. Makes me feel like I got a new set of sliders.
     
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  6. Mar 19, 2021 at 9:17 PM
    #6
    831Tun

    831Tun heartless Bastrd

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    Check out POR 15. Don't get anywhere but on what you're painting and be serious about ventilation/respirator.
     
  7. Mar 19, 2021 at 9:18 PM
    #7
    saybng

    saybng Just a member.

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    I did the same steps as this except I used acetone, took longer to prep and paint then to install.
     
    831Tun and BlueRibbon4x4[QUOTED] like this.
  8. Mar 19, 2021 at 9:20 PM
    #8
    BlueRibbon4x4

    BlueRibbon4x4 Let’s color match it

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    Crap, I meant acetone. I gotta edit that, thanks!!!
     
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  9. Apr 17, 2021 at 8:16 PM
    #9
    BlackSheep

    BlackSheep [OP] caffeinated member

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    So I hope I’m not speaking too soon here, but it’s been about a month now since I last touched up my sliders, and they still look good. I wire brushed off all the spots where rust was forming, and applied Opsho several times over the course of a few days, then painted three coats of bed liner spray over them. Time will tell, I guess. I don’t expect to never have to maintain them, but every month seems excessive.
     
  10. Apr 17, 2021 at 8:59 PM
    #10
    BlueRibbon4x4

    BlueRibbon4x4 Let’s color match it

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    Awesome !
     
  11. Apr 18, 2021 at 5:41 AM
    #11
    BlackSheep

    BlackSheep [OP] caffeinated member

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    I should add that they’ve gotten wet from rain a bunch of times, and sat there for days with mud and gunk splattered on the areas that a keep rusting. So it’s not like I’ve been in Arizona this whole time lol
     
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  12. Apr 18, 2021 at 5:46 AM
    #12
    Black

    Black Raised Hands Surround Us. 3 Nails To Protect Us

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  13. Apr 18, 2021 at 5:56 AM
    #13
    BlackSheep

    BlackSheep [OP] caffeinated member

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    Yeah it’s pricy, but I think I’ve already spent over $50 in rustoleum bed liner spray in the first six months of my sliders’ life :annoyed:
     
  14. Apr 18, 2021 at 6:10 AM
    #14
    BlackSheep

    BlackSheep [OP] caffeinated member

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    Yeah the point others have made is that for components like sliders and bumpers that get beat up, self-applied paint is easier to touch up than powder coat.
     
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  15. Jun 27, 2021 at 2:04 PM
    #15
    3rdTundra

    3rdTundra Hay Hauler

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    After another month, is the paint still holding up?
     
  16. Jun 27, 2021 at 3:31 PM
    #16
    BlackSheep

    BlackSheep [OP] caffeinated member

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    Doing well still. Even the spot where I step to get in and out of the truck looks new.
     

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