Got my OPOR sliders arriving tomorrow:whoo:. Got them in bare metal, and was planning on coating them myself. I decided to forego the powdercoating, as I've heard too many horror stories of the finish getting damaged in transit. So what would you all recommend I finish them with? Basic rattle can? Bed liner? Axle grease? Any and all recommendations and/or anecdotes are welcome.
Painting rock sliders?
- Thread starter Davemon
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High_Country
New member
I plan on using rattle can bed liner (like a Rustoleum or DuPont or 3M product available at the local auto stores). It will provide a nice textured finish that won't show scratches and blemishes as much as paint would and it's very easy (and cheap) to touch up.
Auto Coatings Truck Bed Coating Spray Product Page
Auto Coatings Truck Bed Coating Spray Product Page
My first thought was bedliner, but I've read some reports that when it gets scraped off, it comes off in big chunks, and touchup is a PITA. That might be due to improper prep, however. Lots of folks out there in internet-land have had good things to say about Rustoleum Hammered paint.
Engineer
New member
So I went the same route, I ordered my sliders bare, prepped, primed and painted with rustoleum berliner myself. After ~6m of use the paint is coming off in numerous places and needs to be redone. For this season I am only concerned with the visible portions but the undersides are even worse (expected as they see all the road debris etc). Like you I did not want to go the route of powder coat due to concerns you mentioned. I have not found bad reviews of getting them line-x's which is what I plan to do in the future unless cost is prohibitive or I find others have not had good long term results. I am sure if varies by where you live, how you prep etc but I am not satisfied with my "rattle can berliner" job and do not want something that I have to redo every year.
*The rustoleum berliner is more like a gritty paint, it is not thick like true line-x or roll on style berliner systems.
*If I was to start over I would see if I could get some sliders made from SS (similar to Budbuilt Skids) likely would not paint them but if you did at least when it came off the metal would not corrode
*The rustoleum berliner is more like a gritty paint, it is not thick like true line-x or roll on style berliner systems.
*If I was to start over I would see if I could get some sliders made from SS (similar to Budbuilt Skids) likely would not paint them but if you did at least when it came off the metal would not corrode
High_Country
New member
Well, poop. I was hoping the rattle can bedliner would be a better solution.
Regarding having them line-x'd: I wouldn't be surprised at all if it cost $250-300. That stuff is expensive to have done. Granted, it will be tougher than anything you can buy in a can. I am concerned about touchup though. I imagine it WILL get damaged in a rock-slider application and you can't touch that stuff up by yourself.
Stainless steel is an interesting idea but, phew, I'll bet they're expensive.
Regarding having them line-x'd: I wouldn't be surprised at all if it cost $250-300. That stuff is expensive to have done. Granted, it will be tougher than anything you can buy in a can. I am concerned about touchup though. I imagine it WILL get damaged in a rock-slider application and you can't touch that stuff up by yourself.
Stainless steel is an interesting idea but, phew, I'll bet they're expensive.
Link12
New member
I have a set on my 08 Tundra that I built. First powder coat job started flaking a mont or so in. Took them off and the shop burned them off and coated them again. This time it has lasted a couple years but I noticed that they have a few spots with what looks to be rust bubbling up the coating which is weird because I thought the powder coat should just flake off with corrosion underneath. When I build the set for my 3rd gen 4runner they will be rattle can sprayed. Easy touch up that way. I did look into getting the ones on my tundra sprayed with line X. They said $100 per side. Screw that.
Intruder
New member
The question is are you going to be using the sliders on rocks or just as steps? No coating will survive contact with rocks, so if you think you're going to scrape a lot then just go with some rustoleum that's easy to touch up. I tried duplicolor roll-on bedliner and it did peel off in large chunks. I bought a big can of it so I'll just keep using it until it's gone but after that I'm going back to the rattle can hammer finish stuff.
Engineer
New member
What did you do for prep? I scuffed, solvent (I think it was acetone), primed (2 solids coats, 1 light) then 3 coats of Rustoeluem and it has not held up well at all to the road debris, car washes, and shoes.
wcc7777777
New member
+1 on this idea, I was browsing Craigslist and found a powder coater and an old stove for 50 dollars.
itsdchz
New member
I wiped it down with wax and grease remover, and simply sprayed on about 4 coats. I didn't sand the metal, a sI remember, the can said no prep needed, just clean and free from oil.
flyinhawaiian01
New member
I've done a rattle can spray for my sliders on my '87 truck, its held up pretty well, but I used an orbital sander with 180 grit to get it down to bare metal and give it some "tooth" for the spray to adhere to. Nice thing is when it gets bashed and the paint comes off, I can just do a quick hand sand and re-shoot it!
I've also done the new bumper in powder coat, just called a local shop to have them do it right, cost was $125.00, but its a big bumper and they had lots of prep work to get it right!
I'd call a few local powdercoaters in your area to see what the cost is before spraying them, the powder coating will last much longer than just the rattle can, especially where you step in and out.
Bumper:
Sliders (close up of paint):
I've also done the new bumper in powder coat, just called a local shop to have them do it right, cost was $125.00, but its a big bumper and they had lots of prep work to get it right!
I'd call a few local powdercoaters in your area to see what the cost is before spraying them, the powder coating will last much longer than just the rattle can, especially where you step in and out.
Bumper:
Sliders (close up of paint):
CrazyNorwegian
New member
I painted mine about a year ago with rustolium bed liner and it's been great so far. I do touch it up everytime I go wheeling, after grinding the bottom paint off with rocks. The paint only comes off where it scratches against rocks. The people who have had large chunks falling off didn't prep right. I spent about 4 hours preping mine before any paint went on. The key is to get every bit of grease off of them first. I used a combination of degreaser, lots of clean rags, sand paper, and steel wool. It should have a very reflective look when your done. After that I did 3 coats of self etching primer and 4 coats of bed liner.
Picked up some cans of Rustoleum Hammered rattle can, and some self-etching primer at Wallyworld today. I'm gonna call some local powder coating shops tomorrow, see if I can get a good price. If I can get them done for under $100, I'll probably go that route. If not, then rattle can it is.
96 ToyRunner
Member
The guy im getting my sliders painted by told me tractor paint would fit my needs and that's not to shiny but not flat black cheap strong and easy to touch up just thought I would throw my idea into the hat
