Line-X or Powder Coat?

New to the boards here w/ my first Tacoma (2011 AC 4x4) after living w/ a Wrangler for 11 years. Seems a Taco can be tricked out more than that Jeep!

Anyway, I'm virtually positive that I'm getting an Avid light bar and sliders sometime in the next month, but since I know nothing abt painting parts I thought ya'll might have some advice.

Should I simply powder-coat these or do something like Line-X? Will one last longer, or does one look better in your opinion? I'm waiting for quotes, but does one cost more? Thank you!

 

it all depends on you.

will you be off roading hard? if so, no line X. it will just chips off the first time you hit a rock with any force. same with powdercoating.

if you were to just spray can it, then the touch ups are very simple, and quick.

 

So, straight-up spray paint, huh? What prep is needed?

My off-roading isn't rock-climbing, but mud/snow/desert.

Thanks for the response, btw, and sweet truck! I dig the wheels...

 

To prep them for spray paint, just clean them off well first with a solvent that removes oil, etc... Even parts cleaner should be OK.

If they come primed, jump right to the next step. If they are bare metal, you should sand them with 400 grit paper, then prime them. Apply 2-3 thin coats, as thick coats can run, and take long to dry. Once primed and dried, go to the next step.

Sand the sliders, lightbar, whatever it is with some 600 grit paper. Sand completely, so no "shiny" remains.

Once sanded, paint them up! Use thin coats of paint, as it will dry faster, and eliminate the occurrence of runs. Also, paint in a relatively clean environment, to keep dirt, and debris out of your work.

For added protection, you can spray some clear on them as well. The clear coat adds quite a bit of protection, as it's laquer-based, and quite thick. It's going to make touch-ups tough, as you'll have to re-paint the entire part, so keep that in mind.

Hope that helps!

 

Awesome!! Yeah, that definitely helps, thank you!

 

x2 on the DIY paint job. It's not going to be a good feeling ($$) to take the part BACK to the powdercoaters/LineXers when you get a scratch. Rustoleum flat black FTW!

 

if you look t some of my pictures, you can see that i actually painted my wheels myself (GF helped) but it was worth the time it took.

make sure you prep well though. degreaser, and sanding.

 

I'd go with line-x. I had my Avid lightbar line-x'd and I'm loving it. I have hit some horrible stuff with it at my hunting camp and haven't had anything chip off. I love the way it looks also!

 

Just got a $575 quote to Line-X all three parts. Seems a bit steep even for all the goodness it'll bring...

 

i got the Avid light bar and sliders.
i powder coated it and it only cost me 80 for all three to be done. so i figured i'd give it a shot, never done either so i can let you know how they turn out

 

I'd go with the line x as well. I got
My light bar on my taco linexed and have hit stiff with
If before and ive had no chipping either.
Line x is quite expensive but idk how the linexers do it
Where you live but the line x of baton rouge where I live
Has lifetime warranty so any chipping on anything they'll respray it for free.
Another thing is that the textured look of the line x looks badass

 

Line-x fades over time regaurdless of what anyone tells you, I would powder coat, Line looks like ass after 6 months. I have had it done on 2 trucks, wouldn't do it again unless it was covered by a shell on the bed. And yes it does chip easier then what the line-x peopes say

 

Sub'd. Got mine in the mail last week. Bare metal and ready from prime and paint.

 

I used line-x. Let me know if you want pictures.

I had my sliders coated for $170. My sub box for $30 and my tailgate reinforcement coated for $70. Shop around that line-x price is steep.