Demello Offroad Rocksliders rusting

I have a 2009 double cab Tacoma. Demello Offroad rock sliders were put on maybe 4 or 5 years ago. They came delivered to me already powder-coated and ready to go. The sliders were bolted on using the provided hardware (grade 8 hardware, etc). They were purchased to be used more as step bars, which is all they've been used as. They've never seen more than some tall grass brush up against them, certainly not any trees or rocks. But certainly road debris/salt/ gravel kicked up from the tires. A lot of the rust is on top of the bars though.

Anyways, I've been noticing a rusty looking color on them the last year or so. This summer I really tried to clean them up, scub this brown looking color off - well, it doesn't come off. Looks like rust "soaking through" from under the powder coat. I found a few areas where the powdercoat has chipped, but other areas which are brown have no apparent damage like chipping or scratches to the powder coat. I sent a few inquiries to Demello Offroad via their website, but received no response.

So I've been calling around, exploring options on getting them refinished. I think I settled on getting them blasted and primed, then Line-X'd. I took them off the truck today and the rust on top of the bars that extend from the sliders to mount to the truck are even more rusted than any other part I've noticed until now. That part, I would think, is even less exposed/more protected than anywhere else, but it looks the worst. So I have a few questions if anyone cares to chime in:

First... What the hell!?? Powder-coated step bars rusting through like this? Is this to be expected for 5 year old step bars which have seen light use? Or was it a bad prep/powder-coat job?

Second... Does anyone think they are beyond refinishing and putting back on? I was hoping to get them sand blasted, the company I called said they use glass to blast the powdercoat off, then they prime them. I'm not familiar with the process, but the Line-X guys said this shop does good work.

Anyways, a bit disappointed in the finish wearing like this, and even more so, the lack of response to my inquiries by Demello offroad. I suppose my measly purchase 5 years ago probably isn't on their list of top concerns, but still disappointing. I've loved the stepbars aside from the finish problems.

 

Powder coated steel will still rust eventually. 4 or 5 years after install, this is not their problem. Have the sliders sand blasted and recoated. Problem solved.

 

Thanks for the reply and confirmation on what is to be expected. Already mentioned my plans for sandblasting and recoat, so I anticipate that the rust is surface only and the sliders are still worth recoating then.