Painting sliders / lightbar

So people are recommending _against_ powdercoating these? Rattle can them? I'm probably getting 4xinnovations sliders and the avid offroad light bar both come unpainted.

Rustoleum hammered will work? Do I need to wipe down the bars first with acetone or something?

Also, with the sliders, do I have to worry about painting too much of them and having it affect the weld, or can I just go nuts and paint the whole thing thoroughly, and the welder won't care if the part they're welding has some paint on it? (very little experience with welding, I am having someone else do the install of these.)

 

the more prep work you do the better finishd product you will have.
I would leave the end piece unpainted so they guy can weld it to the truck easier. then just touch it up once hes done.

 

If you intend to use your sliders to protect your truck while off roading, then use rattle can. If you got the sliders for looks then podercoat them.

Whoever builds your sliders should provide you with painting instuctions

Yes use acetone or brake cleaner to wipe them clean. Then use rustoleum on them. Just follow the directions on the paint can. That's what I did and mine turned out very good. I used the black hammered and it matches the Toyota Magnetic gray paint on my truck.

Two very good coats should be fine. Priming ins't necessary for bare metal with the rustoleum, but I did mine anyways. Buy one can of paint for each slider.

Like Keason said leave two inches unpainted so that the welder doesn't have to burn the paint.

Here are two pics for you of when I did mine.

BEFORE:



AFTER:

 

+1 on leaving the ends to be welded clean. It'll make them easier to put on and you'll have to paint the frame side of the weld/weld joint after they are done (or them may do it for you).

Powdercoat can crack/break...and if it does...It has to be stripped down and refinished. Rattle can- just spray a new coat after you use your sliders or bullbar.

 

I bought mine with powdercoat on em but if I did it again, I would spay em myself... If you are using them they will need a touch up every so often anyway! I have the same policy with back doors too!