Rust Bullet: Do you think this would work

I'm thinking about using Rust Bullet or something close to it to prime and paint my Avid Light Bar instead of powder coating. If anyone has used it, how does it hold up on new metal? Thanks for any help.

 

Its not the best on "new metal" for adhesion. BUT.. if you scuff it up real well, it will stick as well as powdercoat, with about the same drawbacks. But with rust bullet you'd have to make sure you use one that has UV resistance. the sliver stuff (at least) can't see sun.

I use it on a lot of stuff. Occasionally I'll have a problem with adhesion. Por-15 has that "tie coat" or something they sell that does help with adhesion, and it sands awesome.
Its a nice hard surface that is very abrasive resistant though.

It claims to not fail due to rock dings etc, unlike powder coat normally reacts. I don't know.

Its very picky as to preparation. Make sure you use mek or whatever it wants for a cleaner, make sure you don't get it on you.. etc.

 

I love Dupli Color Self Etching Primer...

It's an olive color primer...Best spray primer Ive ever used

Protects from rust,and makes your top color adhere better

 

Protects from rust? It shouldn't if its an etch primer. I'm not familiar with duplicolor brand etch. But there's a bit kind of misconception out there that etch primer is for putting over flash rust. It's not. It works better than nothing, but treat your panel first with acid, don't trust an etch to do it for you. Duplicolor is probably pretty weak stuff, but most of the time you have to make sure your top coat and primer are etch primer compatible.
Something like this is heavy for body components, but.. for a light bar or whatever we were talking about...

Eastwood Abrasive Blasting After Blast Bare Metal Prep - Clean Protect Etch

http://www.amazon.com/After-Blast-Bare-Metal-Prep/dp/B003Q8EPTK

I use http://www.jamestowndistributors.com/userportal/show_product.do?pid=557&BASE