Best "paint" options for already welded ALl-Pro sliders?

[RedDragonATL]

Ok, I had some All-Pro rock sliders installed at a local shop here (not much of a welder, myself). I decided to just let them rattle-can paint them black after discussing powder-coating, etc. I knew it wouldn't last forever, but less than a week after the install, I'm already seeing bare metal on the step surface where my son was getting in and out with his baseball cleats.

What ate your thoughts on the best coating or paint to use? Keep in mind they're welded on, so there's that. I've seen some threads where people have used bed-liner type coating with pretty good results. If I decide to paint them again, what's the best way to make it last ?(hopefully more than a week!)

Should I be pissed about this?? Still debating...

Thanks in advance...pics when I get home.

 

[cj80cruiser]

Ok, I had some All-Pro rock sliders installed at a local shop here (not much of a welder, myself). I decided to just let them rattle-can paint them black after discussing powder-coating, etc. I knew it wouldn't last forever, but less than a week after the install, I'm already seeing bare metal on the step surface where my son was getting in and out with his baseball cleats.

What ate your thoughts on the best coating or paint to use? Keep in mind they're welded on, so there's that. I've seen some threads where people have used bed-liner type coating with pretty good results. If I decide to paint them again, what's the best way to make it last ?(hopefully more than a week!)

Should I be pissed about this?? Still debating...

Thanks in advance...pics when I get home.

I've heard of using traction tape but also heard it feels nice on your leg when stepping out.

I don't know...id just keep painting them but if you use your sliders they're gona get bent up and scratched up anyway.

I'm just going to rattle can mine like I do everything else on my 4runner. You may not have any other options past bedliner, traction tape, and rattle can.

 

[Hepar]

One thing you can do is just rattle can them again and then put some non-slip tape on the outer edge of the sliders where people will step.

 

[sportscarfan]

It's all about the prep - I thoroughly cleaned mine first with lacquer thinner, then primed (2+ coats) and painted (3+ coats) mine with rustolium hammer finish and haven't had any issues at all. I left about 2" bare for welding, then did the same routine, also painting the frame at the same time once they were on.

 

[Ape Runner]

+1 on Rustoleam Hammer finish. I wiped with Acetone, then used a self etching primer to get the bond with the pair steel. I get some little rock chips here and there, but nothing a little touch up spray can't resolve...and never any issue with people stepping on them.

What's it cost to powder coat rock rails?

 

[BrianSD_42]

.
I highly recommend you buy "automotive" grade paint. Spray can is fine just don't get it from Kragens, Autozone, Home Depot.

Go to a paint distributor and pick up several cans of the brand SEM - either flat or semi-gloss black. This is high quality paint that will last a lot longer without fading. I believe it runs $8 per can in California. I just repainted all of my trim, wheels and rear bumper - everyone I talked to suggested this paint. It is very common at paint stores. They don't sell it at Home Depot / Lowes.

This is SEM "trim black" The pick isn't totally accurate because it is covered in dust and in the sun. When you go to a paint store they will have a sheet from SEM that shows every color as it will be on a surface. The caps are not accurate, you have to look at the sample sheet.





Good luck!

.

 

[twitchee2]

I used Rustoleum hammer, its got chips in it but they are sliders and are meant to get beat up. they still look great. I put grip tape on mine and the first time i got out of the truck after installing the grip, i ripped it right off. i didnt feel like removing the skin from my leg everyday

 

[JWaldz]

ehh, I painted mine while they were already welded. It was a slight PITA but tape off some newspaper to cover the body so you don't have to worry bout over-spray. I've used the hell out of mine so far and whenever I scrape them up, I power sand the spot down a little, re primer, and then paint. I have yet to see any wear and tear from daily use.

I always use Rust-Oleum products. In fact I used THIS as my primer and THIS (except red) as my top coat. I didn't use a clear coat cus I didn't want any gloss look to it. It has held up very well between normal everyday use and actual offroad use.

Sliders weren't made for looks, although I see it more often now then ever. I don't strive to make my truck (or sliders) look like it just came off the showroom floor but I like to keep the BODY straight. The sliders though, I could care less about. What I'm trying to say is, if you really use them (besides for cool steps) then I wouldn't spend a whole lot of time 'dolling' them up.

To each his own.

 

[BrianSD_42]

I conceed that for sliders rustolium could fit your needs.

I switched to SEM because I was painting my wheels and I didnt want them to fade in 2 years. I asked around and the advice igot was to switch to automotive paint. it isnt too expensive and is worth it IMO. The SEM I refer to is a rattle can. it only costs $8.

 

[BrianSD_42]

my sliders were welded on as well. meticulously taping everything off is a PIA. all the more reason to use good paint

 

[CXS]

Just rattle can it! That way you can touch it up w/o any issues. I used friction tape to prevent slipping and wearing the paint off, works great!

 

[RedDragonATL]

Pics (as promised!)

Well, here are the pics...I had just washed it, thus the water on some. One spot is obviously worse than the rest...baseball cleats.

Thanks for the advice...yeah, not looking forward to taping everything off. Not to mention I can't get it in the garage anymore without taking the roof rack off.

Just don't want them to start rusting...can see a little already, me thinks.

 

[BrianSD_42]

@RedDragon, our trucks are very similar. I just painted my limited fenders black.

judging from the pics I would say you are good on this rust, it looks pretty minor. Out here im California you could leave it like that for a year with no perm damage.

 

[RedDragonATL]

ehh, I painted mine while they were already welded. It was a slight PITA but tape off some newspaper to cover the body so you don't have to worry bout over-spray. I've used the hell out of mine so far and whenever I scrape them up, I power sand the spot down a little, re primer, and then paint. I have yet to see any wear and tear from daily use.

I always use Rust-Oleum products. In fact I used THIS as my primer and THIS (except red) as my top coat. I didn't use a clear coat cus I didn't want any gloss look to it. It has held up very well between normal everyday use and actual offroad use.

Sliders weren't made for looks, although I see it more often now then ever. I don't strive to make my truck (or sliders) look like it just came off the showroom floor but I like to keep the BODY straight. The sliders though, I could care less about. What I'm trying to say is, if you really use them (besides for cool steps) then I wouldn't spend a whole lot of time 'dolling' them up.

To each his own.

Yes, I understand they're going to get beat up on the trail...just thought they'd hold up better to "normal" wear & tear.

I will admit I like my truck to look good in between runs, though.

 

[BrianSD_42]

Yes, I understand they're going to get beat up on the trail...just thought they'd hold up better to "normal" wear & tear.

I will admit I like my truck to look good in between runs, though.

Frankly the best way to not get the scratches you have is to NOT step on the rails. I this is like lol obvious. In my case I am 6-2" and even with a 3" lift I am able to avoid stepping on them. My girl is only 5-4" though and she steps on the passenger side every time - but what can you do.

Also use several coats of paint. Use good paint (see above).

:wow:

 

[RedDragonATL]

Frankly the best way to not get the scratches you have is to NOT step on the rails. I this is like lol obvious. In my case I am 6-2" and even with a 3" lift I am able to avoid stepping on them. My girl is only 5-4" though and she steps on the passenger side every time - but what can you do.

Also use several coats of paint. Use good paint (see above).

:wow:

Yeah, I can reach fine, but my boys, 8 & 9, not so much. I also have been putting in some new lights on the roof rack, so I've been climbing on them a bit.

Good paints and many coats...message received!

 

[BrianSD_42]

to be fair, my rails are not "kick-out" style. I posted pic above. Yours are kind of meant to be stepped on by design

 

[Spish]

I used VHT roll cage/chassis paint, works great and is pretty damn durable

 

[Nunyabiz]

I am about to order some 4XInnovations rock sliders.

Will sand, wire brush and clean with acetone then use Spray Max primer then
plan to use Spray Max 1K Gloss Black aerosol with a clear coat of Spray MAx 2K aerosol.
Then will cover the top with grip tape.

My 4runner is gloss black so want the sliders to blend in as much as possible.

The grip tape on top will prevent scuffing from shoe soles.


SprayMax 2K Urethane Aerosol Clear Coat

 

[BrianSD_42]

@Nunyabiz - I would recommend you don't go with full gloss black. I would recommend semi-gloss or "trim black". The reason is IMO truck doesn't look as good if everything is gloss.

That gloss will not match your factory panels, especially not in 6 months. I think it might even look funny, like a 2 glossy blacks that are trying to match but don't.

On my truck I have the front and rear bumpers, sliders, top brake light spoiler all painted semi-gloss by SEM. It is pretty hard to tell the difference between semi-gloss and flat black but full gloss will be to glossy.

just my 2 cents.