High clearance and paint

For those of you that have a high clearance rear bumper i have an odd question i think. When you cut your bedsides for the fit do you apply some kind of touch up paint to the cut areas to prevent rust or does it not really matter?

 

Bedsides? you talking about the rear quarter panels? They are not metal so they will not rust.

 

Yes i believe that is what im talking about. I thought everything was metal except for the fender flares. I thought all the exterior was some kind of aluminum or alloy?

 

Besides are metal. Yes you need to paint it or it will certainly rust.

 

I painted mine as well. After I cut, I ran painters tape maybe 1/8" above the edge of bare metal. Then I hit it with some white spray paint. On my friends blue truck, we just painted it with black spray paint. Once the edge trim is on, you can't see the paint anyways so the color doesn't really matter.

 

I am installing a HC bumper really soon (waiting on locks powdercoater) and after I cut, I plan to mask off, paint, use edge trim and some kind of waterproof sealant (bath and shower works well) to make sure nothing rusts.

 

Awesome thank you for everyones input. I plan on buying a HC rear in the next month or so. Just trying to do a lottle research

 

Created this the other day as a way to help prepare in anticipation for a HC bumper:

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads...-overland-build.302427/page-161#post-17237827

Hope it helps

 

I used edge trim with a healthy amount of silicone between it and the bed.