What have you done to your Tacoma today? 1st Gen Edition

Wasn't bad at all until the OCD started eye balling how heavy the texture was coming out. Like Matt mentioned and I can totally see it, gets dirty no way in hell its coming off easy (to clean). Prep is key with any paint project. I think I rushed it a bit between coats. Never did a bumper before let alone used bedliner in a rattle can.

Thx for chiming in ... going to give it another go but yeah, it'll head off to a shop if it comes out like crap.

 

Yeah, I just painted my hood, and it was the first time I've ever tried automotive paint from a rattle can (and without a booth, and it's glossy black to boot). I can't even bring myself to show it here, but I knew at the start that it was going to be more of an experiment than anything.

 

im mostly just over having to touch up everything all the time. PC avoids that mostly.

 

Thanks for the reply. I’m in the same boat… with associated codes. New hangar, multiple gaskets, new tank. Cannot get the dang thing to seal tight.

 

I have not, and will not, powdercoat anything on my truck. Especially something that will take impacts, like bumpers, sliders, skids etc.

Powdercoat is no where near as durable as people make it out to be. Once you chip, or scratch it, and moisture starts getting under it, it's done. It'll start peeling away.

https://www.vista-industrial.com/blog/does-powder-coat-chip/




Powder coat also doesn't actually provide protection from rust.





For the cost, and hassle of Powder coat. It just isn't worth it, at all, for me.



Now... If I was build a show truck, like a Silverado with pink axles, 6 shocks at every corner, and a drop bracket lift... you betcha... that thing would be going to the powder coater

 

I think my cab interior on the crawler is done up with dupli bed liner, it must be 10 or so years old and is still attached everywhere I can see

 

@Area51Runner

Another recommendation for Duplicolor Truck Bed Coating. I used it on my FrankenFab rear bumper and it has held up very well for almost 8 years now. I really like the texture. It's definitely got some, but not too aggressive and is easy to clean.

 

A lot of it comes down to the powdercoater and their prep before coating and setup.
I have my bumpers both powdercoated and yea they do chip when you bash it on rocks, but if the shop properly blasted and cleaned the metal before primering it and then doing the final coat, you shouldn't have issues with moisture getting under the coating at all. I never had any issues with that in my years previously working at PC shop.

I wouldn't say it's a hassle at all, it is pretty nice not to have to worry about touching things up. It cleans up real nice with just a regular car wash. But you can't really touch up those areas that chipped off the same as a spray job obviously.

That being said, I wouldn't pay what it costs to have it done compared to just doing it yourself with a quality rattlecan. At least for me I wouldn't, since I like to put my armor to the test. I just took advantage since I used to have access to the facility at the time.

 

The hassle I was referring to was A) finding a powder coater that's worth taking it to. B) Taking it to that shop C) Handing the shop the pile of cash it costs to get it done. D) Taking it back off and taking it back down to the powder coater to have it done all over again when it starts to fail. (because it really can't be touched up)

All I know is my wife's Grandpa worked as a powder coater for 30 years. Her other Grandpa was a chrome plater for over 20. My wife's dad worked in body shops his entire career ending up as a manger at a dealer, and built hot rods all his life. They all agree, powder coat isn't worth it on a truck that is going to see any type of abuse. My truck sees more than it's fair share of abuse. lol.

 

I think one question that may be lingering over in the corner with the elephant in the room.

ARB bumpers come with a "durable powder coat" (ARB words, not mine). So if the powder coat is so durable... why are we talking about what paints, linings, or coatings should be applied to the bumper, lol.

 

1 taco got a new tailgate, super shiny. The other got new tires
Anyone want a crushed, burned tailgate?

 

So just to shed some background, this ARB bumper saw plenty of action on @2BeersPlease rig before it found a new home with me a few years ago. He definitely took it to hell and back and had the occasional stump jump out at him (3:54) on the trail. Needless to say, it was showing its scratches.

 

LOL... I was just posing a hypothetical, semi comical, question.

I know Jason probably ran that thing hard.


But, at the end of the day (take it for what it is) I would highly ,not, suggest shelling out the money to powder coat anything on a truck that is going to be put through paces. It's just not worth it.

Unless, like @betterbuckleup, you have an in where you can get it done for less than the full price it costs. Even then, I personally wouldn't have anything powder coated. It's completely, and totally, overrated for our applications. Hell, I think it's totally over rated for any application, personally.

 

Why I skipped on taking my wheels in to be powder coated. Duplicolor worked just fine for my needs.

 

100% the right way to go man. When you start hammering your truck (which you will when you get the 4wd, trust me) you'll start hammering your wheels for sure. Powder coat would have been a total waste of money.

 

Link to 2 part Raptor Liner? Search isn't my friend.... today...

 

It's cheaper on Amazon here:

$37 Raptor 2K Bedliner Aerosol, Protective Coating, Spray-On Truck Bed Liner, Impact, Scratch & UV Resistant, Black, 13.2 OZ

https://www.amazon.com/U-Pol-Aeroso...or+liner+2k+aerosol,aps,154&sr=8-1-spons&th=1

Oreilly's stocks in black and in white but it's around 50 bucks a can there.

The 2K also comes in Blue, Red, Brown, Green, Grey

 

You just reminded me of those wheel covers that I still have brand new that never fit

 

Have no idea what happened with yours .. no issues here. Fits perfectly.

 

Been a year or two now, don't expect you to remember

They never "clipped in" or whatever.

Even pulled the tabs or tried to see about making sure they were the same as my factory set.