Painting metal

I ordered a pair of @Mobtown Offroad sliders unpainted and will need to paint them when they arrive. I have never really done anything like this before, so do you guys have any suggestions on paint/primer to use (brands/types), and also what to do for prep?

 

I can't see paint holding up long term on any sliders. A powder coat or rhino linings rubber coat would best protection imo. I think I'll be putting a line x or rhino type on mine.

 

True, powdercoat would be ideal but I like the idea of easily being able to do touch ups with regular paint. Do think bedliner would would on sliders? I don't really plan on doing and crazy off-roading

 

Any coating gets pretty beat up if you actually use them. Paint is easier to touch up than powder coat or Line-X, but those coatings will be better if you are a light duty user.

 

rattle can of rustoleum makes for easy touch ups. wipe them down with paint thinner, plain old rustoleum primer, then paint

 

Personally, I used Hammerite smooth metal rust cap. I taped off all but the top, hit with a wet coat, and sprinkled fine sand into it with a salt shaker. Then I coated about 5 more times. Hammerite doesn't rust, period. It was a finesse job though, and not a super easy DIY. I can get a close-up tomorrow.

Close-up

 

Some paint shops, like cloverdale paint can mix a color with the bedliner stuff for you. If not wanting black/grey/white.