New RCI rock slider issue

I received my rock sliders a couple of days ago. There was no real protection on the ends so there is damage to the powder coating. Is there a recommended way to touch it up? They recommended Krylon Rust Tough in the color Semi-flat black through email.

Another issue is there looks like there is some pitting under the powder coating. They said they would forward my pictures to the production manager and I haven't heard back. How would you handle the situation with the pitting?

 

I had that happen to my RCI sliders. Take pictures and call them. The shipping company has insurance. I got like $150 back. Hit it with a rattle can and your good.

 

That would be nice. Their rep didn't mention anything about that in their email reply.

I submitted the post on accident before uploading all the pics. So now it is edited with the rest of them added.

 

Just ask them. You essentially paid for a powder coating with the price. The guy I dealt with at RCI was very good. I think you should have no problem.

 

I'll shoot them another email tomorrow if they don't reply tonight with a comment on the pitting. It seems really dumb to use flawed metal and then just coat right over it with it still being obvious through the coating. Maybe it won't effect anything and is purely cosmetic?

 

See what they say.

 

Sliders are armor, not jewelry, so the mfrs don't take powdercoating seriously - you are expected to scratch and dent the sliders on trails and touch them up every year, same with skid plates and steel bumpers. I use Tremclad Rust Reformer followed by semi-gloss black Tremclad rust paint, readily available at Home Depot or Walmart.

 

Yeah that's obvious. Thanks for the touch up recommendations. I'm really more concerned about the pitting. But the coating shouldn't be downplayed because if the sliders rust up they won't be very good at protection.

 

^With yearly touch-ups it doesn't really matter. Just spray any areas where the powdercoating flakes off.

I do this before every winter:



My sliders are 14 years old, transferred from my previous truck.

 

Squeaky wheel gets the grease....
Theyre not cheap & you paid for new pristine, its should be up to you to bash or not...............
Youre not happy, you paid alot of money, you want it expedited with a resolution, etc...
dont install if you want to pursue...
Even if your looking for a partial reimbursement as suggested.

 

The rust gonna hurt the rocks? The amount of time and rust that you would need to make your sliders any weaker is a long long time. Mine have been like this for 5+ years:


Both the pitting and the paint chips aren't big deals. Like other said, rattle can it now before it's rusty if you care. How often are you on your back under the truck to even notice that pitting? What are you gonna do when you actually need to drag it across a rock? Oh, the gouges!

 

I agree. And isn't that the underside view, where the pitting is?

I also agree with @Weatherby789 that asking for assistance is the correct route, and see what happens.

And I also agree with @3JOH22A regarding the touch up of the ends. In the grand scheme of things neither the powder coat nor the pit area are a big deal in terms of serviceability.

Powder coating is a useful procedure for some things, but it's not the end-all that some folks seem to think it is / should be. In some cases even a good bedliner properly applied could offer better results. Like that at monstaliner.com

 

I had the same damage with my RCI sliders both were leaking out of there box when FedEx arrived at my house. Lightly sanded the areas and primed,then krylon semi flat was a perfect match. Call them about it and talk to them. Mine didn't have the pitting though that's another issue. The damage compensation I think went through a FedEx claim via them.

 

Powder coating likes to fail around the edges of metal and then the rust seeps underneath without one seeing it. I don’t like powdercoating, it pisses me off. I’ve had issues with everything I purchased powder coated.

 

That "pitting" looks like normal wrought iron finish with powder coat on top of it.
It is a good idea to communicate it to RCI though just to have it on record.

 

Mine came in and the box was all busted and the sliders were basically falling out. Surprisingly, there was no damage to the powder coat as far as I could tell. I would just touch them up and call it a day.

 

Does RCI ship sliders regular Fedex or Fedex LTL Freight?

Edit*
Just looked, short bed sliders are regular shipping, long beds are freight.

 

I would just hit them with spray paint and throw them on. They are meant to take a beating, thats what armor is for.

 

the 'pitting' really just looks like surface imperfections of the metal tubing used. i really wouldn't worry about it. all metal has an imperfect finish if you look hard enough.

 

Talk to RCI they are good people and will take care of you. I’m sure you looked at the specs on these sliders before you bought the but you might want to go over them again. They are serious cold rolled steel and will hold up the weight of your truck. I’m 4 years into mine living in the Midwest with salt brine all winter only need a wire wheel and some touch up paint every fall and they are good to go.